
T . i_. ivi I I. I. e: F^ 



HISTORY 



OF- 



HEREFORD CATTLE 



PROVEN CONCLUSIVELY THE OLDEST 
OF IMPROVED BREEDS 

By T. L. MILLER 



WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED A HISTORY OF THE HEREFORDS IN AMERICA 

By WM. H. SOTHAM 



1902 



T. F. B. SoTHAM, Publisher 

CHILI ICOTHE, MISSOURI 



THr LIBRARY OF 

CONGRESS, 
"•"o CcwEd RecmivED 

AUG. 21 1902 

OnpvnioMT EWTRv 
C' ASS C^-'XXo No. 

i, J- / / f 

COPY 8. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the j'ear 1902, hy 

T. F. B. SOTHAM, 

iu the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington 
AU Kights Reserved. 



INTRODUCTION. 



"I have just returned from a trip to the 
Paeilic Coast, and everywhere on the western 
])lains found the Whitefaces conspicuous. And 
they h:)ol': well wherever they are to be seen. 
1 know they liave a magnificent future. I am 
not a boomer, but this is a great country and I 
feel assured that our present prosperity will- 
continue. It has always been demonstrated 
that Here fords are great cattle wherever grass 
grows, and the settlement of this irrigation 
problem now agitating the West will convert 
the desert into pastures and open up vast 
areas to cattle raising. The more grass, the 
more Hereford cattle will be needed, and with 
all due respect to other breeds, I venture the 
assertion that Herefords w-ill make more beef 
on grass than any other breed of which I have 
any knowdedge." 

When we consider where and by whom the 
sentence above quoted was uttered, and the 
unequalled sources of information and expe- 
rience that led to this conclusion, we feel, that 
at last, the Hereford breed of cattle is coming 
into its own. 

The speaker was Mr. Alvin H. Sanders, 
Managing Editor of the greatest live stock pub- 
lication in the world, namely, the "Breeders' 
(Gazette," Chicago. The occasion was the reduc- 
tion sale of the Weavergrace Herd, at which, 
in Chicago, Tuesday, March 2."Jth, 1902, was 
gathered one of the largest representative com- 
panies of Hereford breeders the country has 
ever seen. With all due respect for the work 
of individuals in popularizing pure breeds of 
live stock, their work without the aid of the 
agricultural press must of necessity be limited 
in its influence. The leading advocates of 
Hereford cattle in America ever fully realized 
the influence of the agricultural press, and as 
far as they could have endeavored to utilize it 
in spreading a correct knowledge of the Here- 
ford breed. 

The inlluence that utilized the power of the 
agricultural press to propagate injurious theo- 
ries, and their success in that direction, are 
thoroughly set forth in the body of this work 
and need not be discussed further here. We 
are glad to say, however, that conditions and 
influences, existent at the time the "Breeders' 
Gazette" was founded, have largely disappeared. 



Nothing shows plainer the present unpreju- 
diced position of the ■'Brceder.s' Gazette" than 
the fact that it has been accused by prominent 
speakers in important meetings of Shorthorn 
breeders of being partial to the Herefords; that 
on several occasions adherents of other breeds 
have asserted that the "Gazette" leaned toward 
the Aberdeen-Angus "Doddies," while com- 
plaints that the "Gazette" was a Shorthorn pa- 
per have been frequent. Each breed in turn, 
prompted by some activity of its rivals (fully 
reported in the "Gazette"), exhibiting its in- 
born jealousy. 

The statement that "Herefords will make 
more beef on grass than any other breed," made 
by Mr. Sanders, has been made repeatedly by 
Col. F. M. Woods, the celebrated live stock 




WELLINGTON COURT. NEAR HEREFORD. 



auctioneer, whenever he has conducted a sale 
of Herefords. Similar statements have been 
made on hundreds of occasions by that other 
favorite auctioneer. Col. E. E. Edmonson, who 
for years was the idol of the Kentucky Short- 
horn breeders. This "Kentuckian 'of Ken- 
tuckians" not only makes this assertion in 
words, but backs it up in action, having be- 
come an extensive breeder of Hereford cattle 
on his Texas ranch. These are not to be 
counted straws to show wdiich way the wind 
blows, but rather may be considered goodly- 
sized weather-vanes, known and seen of all 
men, for without commenting on the influence 
of these two great auctioneers we can say of 
the "Breeders' Gazette" under the management 



3 



INTRODUCTION 



of Mr. Alvin H. Sanders (so ably assisted by 
the greatest master of English language that 
ever graced an agricultural editor's chair, 
William R. Goodwin, Jr.), that its influence 
has been greater than all others combined; for 
the "Gazette" of recent years has been the pat- 
tern copied more or less successfully by all 
other agricultural journals. The Herefords 
now get a fair and impartial hearing; not as a 
matter of suft'erance, but of right. All that 
their late champions, Messrs. Wm. H. Sotham 
and T. L. Miller, fought for has been accorded, 
but there is much yet to be gained before the 
beneficent influence of Hereford blood, upon 
the prosperity of the cattle trade of the world, 
is completely felt. 




NEW HOUSE. KING'S-PYON, HEREFORDSHIRE. 
(Rear view.) 

Much disappointment in years past has fol- 
lowed the use of the bloods of certain breeds 
of cattle erroneously pushed into prominence. 
Farmers have tried animals of certain fancy and 
fashionable strains of ])lood, and found the re- 
sults of their use inferior to that obtained by 
the use of plainer bred animals to be had for 
less money, so that Hereford breeders even at 
this late day receive daily inquiries from farm- 
ers for prices on "good individual" animals for 
farm use. The inquirer usually adding 
that he does not care for a "fancy pedi- 
gree." A well-bred Hereford, if he has 
had care siifficient to develop his inherent good 
qualities, should invariably be a "good indi- 



vidual," for a well-bred Hereford is descended 
from good individual ancestors, and like 
should produce like. The "good individual" 
character of the ancestor makes the "good pedi- 
gree." There is nothing in Hereford breeding 
to compare with the "line-bred Erica" or 
"Pride" of the Aberdeen-Angus, or with the 
"Absolutely pure Bates" and "straight Scotch" 
of the Shorthorns. The same individual ex- 
cellence which recommends a Hereford to the 
breeder for the improvement of a pure-bred 
herd is the acme of perfection sought by 
the breeder of steers; and the same lines of 
blood produce the improvement desirable in 
both places. In other words, it is primarily 
the province of the Hereford breed to improve 
the beef cattle of the world, whereas with other 
breeds the prime object appears to be the up- 
building of certain lines of blood for specula- 
tive purposes. 

For centuries the Hereford breed of cattle 
has been bred for the production of the highest 
quality of beef — under the most natural con- 
(iitions — at the lowest possible cost. Held 
largely during these centuries by tenant farm- 
ers who bred them exclusively for practical pur- 
poses, theory, fancy and fashion have always 
been obliged to give way to the practical wants 
of pasture and feed lot. The Hereford breeder 
ever preferred the useful to the useless, and, 
therefore, despite any and all claims of other 
breeds, the Hereford must be considered the 
"Utilitarian Cattle," and having this backing 
of unparalleled usefulness, the Hereford can- 
not fail to hold every position gained, and last, 
as a prime factor in the ]U'oduction of the 
world's beef, when all other breeds are for- 
gotten. 

The writer had it from his father (born in 
1801), who was on intimate terms with the 
greatest Herefords lireeders of the past cen- 
tury, that the Hereford was the oldest of all 
the recognized breeds of British cattle. The 
writer at all times asserted this truth on the 
strength of the information so gained, but feel- 
ing that he should have some indisputable data 
to back up his assertion, he has earnestly sought 
for absolute, unimpeachable jiu})lie records. 
Thanks to the untiring efforts of Mr. W. H. 
Bustin, of the city of Hereford, England, we 
are able to back up, with such undeniable 
proofs, every assertion along this line that we 
have made. Mr. Bustin prepared a manuscript, 
the following copy 'of which explains itself. 
The facts brought out by Mr. Bustin ought 
really to have been incorporated in Mr. Miller's 
history, but as this could not have been done 
without meddling with Mr. Miller's order and 



INTRODUCTION 



[jlau, I have deemed it best to leave Mr. Mil- 
ler's work just as he prepared it, and to incor- 
porate Mr. Austin's manuscript in this intro- 
duction, so that Mr. iiiller's history, while re- 
maining intact, may Ije supplemented and cor- 
rected in the light of this further reliable in- 
formation : 

SOME FURTHER NOTES ON THE 

ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF 

THE TOMKINS HEREFORDS. 

As Managing Trustee of the King's-Pyon 
C!harities I had occasion to examine the old 
parisli books to clear up certain obscure points 
relative to these ancient bequests. When thus 
engaged I came upon much additional infor- 
mation about the Tomkius families living in 
the parish and neighborhood during the 
eighteenth century. These old records show 
that they took an active part in parochial 
affairs as Overseers, Church-wardens, Road and 
Bridge Makers, Apprenticing the Poor, etc. A 
careful study of these documents with the 
parish registers, added to what I already knew 
about these old cattle breeders, enables me to 
give a tolerably clear idea of their work and 
the ])art taken by them in the development of 
the cattle associated with their name that was 
so famous. Read by the additional information 
I obtained, the confused statements of eminent 
authorities on Hereford cattle history can be 
understood. The question has been so often 
asked. "Did Tomkins found the Herefords?" 
and answered in the affirmative and denied that 
these fresh facts may be of interest to those 
connected with the world-wide famed White- 
faces. 

As early family and cattle history are closely 
interwoven together, it will be necessary to 
trace them concurrently, giving exact names 
and dates. It was owing to Pi'ofessor Low not 
having carefully followed this course when in- 
quiring into the origin and development of the 
Tomkins Herefords that his account of it was 
confused and chronologically inaccurate. When 
Low wrote his "Domesticated Animals of the 
British Isles," about 18i0. he inquired as to 
the origin of the improved Hereford cattle, and 
found it centered in the Tomkins family, more 
especially in Mr. Tomkins of Wellington Court, 
near Hereford. He a]ii)arently hastily collected 
some general information about the life and 
work of what he lielieved to be one man and 
applied it to Benjamin Tomkins, Jr., for as a 
matter of fact there were two men of that name 
of Wellington Court, father and son. Low was 
not aware of this and treated their woi'k as that 



of one man, namely, B. Tomkins, Jr. Unfor- 
tunately, subsequent writers accepting his 
account as correct, committed the same mis- 
take. This serious error remained uncorrected 
until Sinclair wrote the "History of Hereford 
Cattle" in 1885, when the writer pointed out 
to him Low's mistake. Time did not then 
allow me to minutely trace the matter, although 
it was of the greatest importance. This I have 
now done and am able to correct Low's ex- 
planation of facts. Low's confused account of 
the origin and development of the Tomkins 
Herefords was evidently due to the Misses 
Tomkins. 

It is well known in the family that they 
quite idolized their father, B. Tomkins, Jr. In 
their estimation no one could do anything like 
him. 

Twenty-five years after his death, 1840, 
when inquiry was made, they ascribed all the 




ALTux cuuirr, uvlw i.\, Herefordshire. 

improvement of the cattle to him, altogether 
forgetting what they might have heard about 
their grandfather's share in the work. 

They led Low, Eyton, Yeld and others to 
believe that the famous cows "Mottle" and 
"Pigeon," as well as the "Silver Bull," were 
selected by their father, whereas overwhelm- 
ing evidence goes to prove that these ty])ical 
animals were the ones that their grandfather 
liegan with in 1742, and were the foundation 
of the Tomkins breed. 

The late W. A. Walker of the Upper House, 
Wormsley, born in 1797, remembered B. Tom- 
kins, Jr., and remembered the talk about the 
Tomkins cattle having obtained considerable 
notoriety many years before B. Tomkins, Jr., 
was married, in 1772. Likewise, Miss L. (jal- 
liers, born 1809, well remembered her grand- 
father, AVilliam Galliers, at Frogdon, talking 
about the intimacy between B. Tomkins, Sr., 
and her great-grandfather, William Galliers of 



1 N T R U D U (J T 1 N 




KINGS-PYON CHURCH, NEAR HEREFORD. 



Wigmore Grange, born 1713, and the superior- 
ity of their cattle long before B. Tomkios, Jr.'s, 
marriage. These recollections and many facts 
that will be mentioned clearly prove that the 
systematic improvement of the Herefords was 
begun by the elder B. Tomkins in 1742. 

It will be seen on referring to Sinclair's His- 
tory of Hereford Cattle that when Kichard 
Tomkins of the New House Farm, King's- 
Pyon, died in 1723, he lefjt seven children — 
six sons and one daughter. The eldest, Miles, 
was nineteen and the youngest, Thomas, was 
three years old. 

He "left to Eicbaril, his second son, a yoke of 
oxen, named "Spark" and "Merchant," with 
ten acres of land. To his fourth son, Benjamin, 
a cottage and land and a cow called "Silver" 
with her calf. The others were left small sums 
of money, and his widow, Catherine, the little 
New House Farm for life, making her his sole 
executrix. His will was proved in the Consis- 
tory Court at Hereford. 

He doubtless had good reason for leaving 
these cattle to Eiohard and Benjamin. Richard 
being nineteen was old enough to be teamster 
and was left his team. Benjamin being nine 
years old would be old enough to take an in- 



terest in the cattle, possibly wishing to possess 
the Silver cow and calf, which his father after- 
wards left him by will. This would be calcu- 
lated to give him additional interest in the 
cattle and dairy, probably tilling the office of 
cattleman for a time. 

Having two brothers younger than himself, 
he necessarily would have to leave the small 
farm when one of these were old enough to take 
his place and seek a situation in the particular 
line he had followed at home. This he appar- 
ently did, as all the sons but one were brought 
up to be farmers, and Professor Low was in- 
formed that Mr. Tomkins married his employ- 
er's daughter. Low does not give the source 
of this information, but it certainly would not 
come from the Misses Tomkins. 

We find by the parish records that B. Tom- 
kins, Sr., married a Miss Ann Preece, of Alton 
Court Farm, in the parish of Dilwyn, in 1742, 
and began business at the Court House Farm, 
Canon-Pyon. 

In Low's words: 

"Mr. Tomkins when a yoimg man was in the 
employment of an individual, afterwards his 
father-in-law, and had the especial charge of 
the dairy. Two cows had been brought to this 



1 N T R U D U C T I N 



dairy, supposed to have been purchased at the 
fair of Kington, on the confines of Wales. Mr. 
Tonikins remarked tlic extraordinary tendency 
of these animals to become fat. On his mar- 
riage he acquired these two cows and com- 
menced breeding them on his own account. 
The one with more white he called 'Pigeon' 
and the other of a rich red color with a spotted 
face he called 'Jlottlc." "" 

Further he says: "He then began a system 
of breeding that ultimately completely altered 
the character of the Ilerefords." Low applied 
this information to B. Tomkins, Jr., who mar- 
ried his first cousin Sarah, daughter of Eichard 
Tomkins, of Wormsley Grange, in 1773. 
Family tradition and the King"s-Pyon register 
attest "that his father died in 1T48, when Mr. 
B. Tomkins, Jr., was but three years old, con- 
sequently he could not have been in the "em- 
ployment of an individual, afterwards his 
father-in-law;" nor is it likely that Low's in- 
formant would call his first cousin ''daughter 
of an individual." This expression may well 
have been applied to the elder man's wife, as 
in the lapse of years her father's name would 
most likely have been forgotten. It may lie 
retorted that it was the widow who employed 
him, but Kichard Tomkins left three sons, 
Eichard, George and Thomas, aged twelve, eight 
and two years respectively. All were brought up 
as farmers, so that the widow could not have 
at any time required the services of her nephew 
when old enough even to manage for her. As 
to his over being employed as a dairyman, the 
idea is ab.surd, for his father, as will be shown, 
had only two sons, and was a well-to-do man 
at the time. 

Many other circumstances prove this por- 
tion of Low's information to refer to B. Tom- 
kins, Sr., on his marriage in 1742. Low not 
knowing that there had been two of the same 
name applied it to the son, on his marriage in 
1772. 

Again, Professor Low in his "Practical Agri- 
culture" (184.3) writing of Hereford cattle, says: 
"The breed owes all its celebrity to changes 
began about the year ^760. The great im- 
prover, or rather it may be said, the founder of 
the modern breed, was the late Mr. Tomkins 
of King's-Pyon. near Hereford, who, from a 
very hundde stock of cows, but by means of a 
long course of skilled selection, communicated 
to the breed its most valuable distinctive char- 
acters." 

There is unmistakable evidence that the 
Misses Tomkins let T^ow believe that it was all 
the work of their father, consequently it is not 
surprising that he did not harmonize facts and 



dates when applying them all to the younger 
man. Low here says the changes began about 
17GU. This was nine years before the younger 
man commenced business (as will be shown 
later on) and twelve years before his marriage 
in 1772, yet, as previously quoted, Low says 
he commenced the improvement on his mar- 
riage, evidently referring to the elder man. 

It is greatly to be regretted that Low never 
seriously attempted to harmonize his facts and 
dates. If he had done so he must have dis- 
covered at once the existence of B. Tomkins, 
Sr., and given a chronologically correct history 
of the origin and development of the Tomkins 
cattle. The correction of his remarkable mis- 
take quite allies the hitherto accepted ideas as 
to when the systematic improvement of the 
Herefords began, which was in 1743, not 1773. 




COURT HOUSE, CANON-PYON, HEREFORDSHIRE. 



Tomkins was at work improving the Herefords 
nearly a quarter of a century iDcfore Bakewell 
began to improve the Longhorns, and a much 
longer time before the Brothers Colling, the 
Shorthorns; consequently Bakewell followed 
Tomkins, not Tomkins Bakewell, as has been 
generally asserted and believed. 

Thus the Herefords are the oldest improved 
breed of cattle in the kingdom. 

B. Tomkins, Sr., had evidently formed the 
idea of developing a superior breed of cattle 
to any then extant some years before his mar- 
riage in 1743. 

On his marriage he was able to set about it 
in a systematic way, having already selected the 
materials. He began with the three distin- 
guishing color types of the Tomkins 'cattle, 
namely, the Silvers, reds with white faces, the 
mottles and the greys. These three type names 
were applied to the Herefords for more than 
a century, unfortunately giving rise to endless 
controversies amongst breeders about breed. 

Low says Tomkins acquired the cows 



INTRODUCTION 



"Pigeon" and "Mottle" on account of their ex- 
traordinary tendency to become fat, qualities 
most likely not manifest in his Silvers, which 
we infer would be more of the large bony type, 
suitable for draught purposes, like the majority 
of the cattle were at that time. The rising 
importance of our manufacturing and commer- 
cial interests would be creating an increased 
demand for butcher's meat. Young Tonikins 
saw in this a new sjjhere of usefulness and 
profit in cattle other than the yoke and pail. 
He saw manifest in these two cows some of the 
characteristics he desired to conserve and in- 
tensify for this purpose. Fortunately, we know 
under what conditions these cows fed so 
rapidly. Artificial foods were not used in those 
days, and the Alton Court pastures are by no 
means feeding lands, yet their cows quickly 
became fat on them, having most likely come 
off the still poorer Welsh Hills; at any rate they 
apparently fed much more rapidly than any 
of the others under the same conditions. 

Tomkins was impressed with this, and con- 
ceived the idea of raising up a race of cattle 
that would readily fatten on inferior food. As 
the grass at the Court House partook of the 
same character, he for upwards of twenty years 
carried out his works on inferior pastures. 

Although Bichard Tomkins was but a small 
yeoman farmer, the minute books of King's- 
Pyon show that the family received a good 
education at a time when many of the middle 
classes could not read nor write, and the peas- 
ants were wholly imeducated. 

All the sons appear to have been enterpris- 
ing, as they soon became established on farms 
in the neighborhood: Miles at the Hill in 
1727, Richard at Wormsley Grange in 1734, 
Benjamin at the Court House in 1743, George 
at Wooton in 174(5; John, known as "Butcher 
Jack," as a butcher in Canon Pyon, afterwards 
joining the army as a life guardsman. The 
daughter married Oakley, a farmer in Canon 
Pyon, and the youngest son, Thomas, remained 
with his mother, subsequently going with her 
to Calverhill Farm, in the parish of Norton 
Canon. This shows that there were a whole 
colony of the family farming in the neighbor- 
hood when B. Tomkins, Sr., was at his work 
of improvement, and we know that all these 
men and their descendants acquired the Tom- 
kins cattle. 

B. Tonikins, Sr., had only two sons who lived 
to grow up, Thomas and Benjamin, born 1743 
and 1745. He had one daughter, who married 
Williams of Brinsop Court, brother of Williams 
of Thinghill Court. Both these men won 
prizes for cattle at the early Hereford shows. 



When B. Tomkins, Sr., increased his holding 
by taking Wellington Court, in addition to the 
Court House, in 1758, his two sons were fifteen 
and thirteen years old, by which time he had 
become comparatively well otf, chielly by the 
sale of his improved cattle that were then in 
possession of all the farming members of the 
family and many others throughout the coun- 
try. His most intimate friend, William Gal- 
liers of Wigmore Grange, had a fine herd 
founded on the Tomkins breed, as it was al- 
ready called. This was in the recollection of 
members of the family still living when Sin- 
clair wrote his history. From the foregoing 
it will be seen that B. Tomkins, Sr., was not 
only the first who systematically improved the 
Herefords as beef producers, but was actually 
the founder or originator of the improved 
breed, and pioneer improver of cattle in these 
islands on systematic lines. He worked for 
nearly fifty years, 1748 to 1789, and his son 
B. Tomkins, Jr., worked with him for more 
than thirty of them, continuing for twenty- 
five years after his father's death. 

Unlike Bakewell, he was a quiet, steady 
worker, accumulating means rapidly, without 
pushing himself for public notice. This char- 
acteristic was even more pronounced in his 
son, whose name seldom appeared, but when 
challenging the boastings of contemporary 
breeders, whom he never failed to silence. 
Tliis, in some measure, accounts for the great 
value of their work not being publicly recog- 
nized until years after, when the glamour of 
the famous sale at the Brook House in 1819 
drew universal attention to the younger man's 
work, quite obliterating the elder, by merging 
his life into that of the more conspicuous 
figure of his son. In the meantime their im- 
proved cattle had been quietly absorbed and 
helped to build up without exception all the 
famous old herds that it has been possible to 
trace back to their foundation. 

Soon after going to live at Wellington Court 
in 1758 B. Tomkins, Sr., relinquished the 
Court House to his eldest son, Thomas. The 
younger son, Benjamia, appears to have re- 
mained with his father iintil on his contem- 
plated marriage with his first cousin he took 
the Blackball farm. King's Pyon, 1769. 

Writers have been uncertain as to the exact 
date when B. Tomkins, Jr., began business at 
the Blackball. The parish books of King's- 
Pyon show this date, as the last signa- 
ture of his predecessor appears in 1768 and 
B. Tomkins, Jr.'s, first signature in 1769. B. 
Tomkins, Jr., undoubtedly had his select breed- 
ing cattle from his father's herd at Wellington 



I X T R D U C T I N 



Court. Boing the favorito son lu> would have 
his pick of the best of them, and the two herds 
were afterwards bred conjointly for twenty 
years, when on his father's death, in 1789, he 
aequired the stock and farm at Wellington 
Court. In the meantime B. Touikins, Jr., had 
acquired the Court House and Brook House 
Farms, King's-Pyon, in addition to the Black- 
hall, so that the father and son together occu- 
pied three and for a time four farms from (iSO 
to 840 acres in extent. How closely they 
worked together is shown by his having his 
father's stock and farm on his death. The 
lives and work of father and son were so inti- 
mately blended together that no wonder after 
many years succeeding generations, without 
close inquiry, regarded their work as that of 
one man. The father worked for 47 years 
(from 174"3 to 1789) and the son for about the 
same number (1769-1815), and they worked 
together for about thirty of the seventy-three 
years of their joint breeding career. This oc- 
cupying of several farms with separate home- 
steads enabled them not only to keep more cat- 
tle, but to kec}) the dift'erent strains distinct in 
dilTerent places, enabling them to carry out 
tlieir system of line breeding without neces- 
sarily using very near affinities. 

It has been imagined that they inbred their 
cattle very closely, but this idea is not justified 
by facts. It is well known that they bred all 
the bulls they used, and that they kept several 
at each homestead, thus enabling them to cross 
in their own herds from selected variations in 
desired directions without close in-breeding. 
They likewise had a wide family circle breed- 
ing the same variety of cattle, which gave them 
a still wider range for the exercise of their 
judgment and skill. 

When working alone we know that these two 
men achieved a most marvelous success. What 
must have been the power of their united judg- 
ments during the thirty years they worked to- 
gether? 

Eyton says, 1846: "The Misses Tomkins 
have been in possession of the same breed with- 
out a cross since the period of their fathers 
dcatli. They were in the habit of keeping four 
or live bulls and whatever is bred from their 
stock mav be relied upon for the purity of the 
blood." 

Here we have evidence to show that the 
Misses Tomkins continued to follow their 
father's and grandfather's system of breeding 
in the male line for over thirty years after his 
death on a single farm of less than 300 acres. 

Kyton says further: ''During the latter ])or- 
tion of Mr. Tondvins' life he used none but 



bulls bred by himself, and did not cross with, 
any other stocks."" 

As Eyton was here treating the work of the 
two men as that of one he should have said: 
"During the latter portion of Messrs. Tom- 
kins' lives they used none but bulls bred by 
themselves, and did not cross with any other 
stocks." 

When B. Tomkins, Sr., practically ceased 
crossing from outside sources is uncertain, but 
most likely it was about the time he took Wel- 
lington Court, in 1758, as there were then 
herds of Tomkins cattle more or less pure-bred 




at the Hill, Xew House, Weobley's Field, 
Wooton, Court House, Canon Pyon, Wigmore 
Grange, and probably other places outside the 
family circle. How quickly successful he was 
is thus shown by the early and rapid spread of 
his cattle amongst members of the family. 

Eyton says: "The bull which is often re- 
ferred to as 'Silver Bull' he always considered 
as the first great improver of his stock. There 
is a prevailing opinion respecting this bull's 
name, that it was given to him because he was 
of a silver or grey color, but the fact is that he 
was a red bull, with a white face, and a little 
white on his back, and his dam was a cow 
called 'Silver.' " 



10 



I ISr T R D U C T I N 



Eyton, like Professor Low and others, did 
not know tliat he was treating the work of two 
men as that of one; referred this information 
to B. Tomkins, Jr., but it must have concerned 
liis father, whose stock had become famous 
many years before the son began business in 
1769. The father evidently at an early period 
of his career bred this bull from descendants 
of the Silver cow his father left him in his will 
in 1730. 

Sinclair has shown that the red, with the 
white face, color markings for cattle were 
fashionable in the country before the 
death of Lord Scuddmore in 1671, and 
Eichard Tomkins esteemed them fifty years 
after in 1720, since his favorite Silvers 
were thus marked, so that the taste for 
these colors dates back much further than has 
been genei'ally supposed. Their system of 
breeding was essentially the same as that fol- 
lowed by Hereford breeders at the present time, 
only over a more prescribed area. In one re- 
spect it was the opposite, since they always 
bred the bulls used instead of purchasing them. 
In their case this was necessarj', as there was 
no reliable source to procure them from out- 
side their own herds, in fact no cattle so good 
as their own to improve them with were out- 
side their own herds. 

Professor Darwin says: "The power of man 
to accumulate the slight variations of our do- 
mesticated animals in a given direction by con- 
stant selection is very considerable. The im- 
Ijrovement begins by crossing different types, 
and is afterward continued by constant selec- 
tions from the varieties produced. When a cross 
is made the closest selection is more necessary 
than in ordinary cases between good animals of 
an established type or breed. To accumulate 
these slight differences, absolutely inapprecia- 
ble to the ordinary observer, acquires an ac- 
curacy of eye, touch and judgment that not 
one in a thousand ])Ossesses. A man endowed 
w'ith these qualifications, who devotes a life- 
time to the work, will effect great improve- 
ments." 

This work the two B. Tomkins were pre- 
eminently fitted for, as they carried it out with 
consummate skill and success, which the sale 
in 1S19 demonstrated. They seemed to have 
intuitively grasped the physiological law enun- 
ciated by Darwin a hundred years after, "that 
given an equal amount of pureness of blood, the 
male animal possesses a greater amount of ac- 
cumulated variation in a given direction than 
the female." 

"These variations are at first artificial, but 
after accumulating them for a length of time 



they become typified, and constitute a distinct 
variety or breed." 

It is remarkable that the elder B. Tomkins 
first observed the variation in the direction he 
desired in two females, and he and his son 
afterwards conserved it more particularly in the 
males. 

Regret was at one time expressed that Tom- 
kins did not exclusively adopt the red with 
white face colorings for their cattle, but con- 
sidering that the cattle B. Tomkins, Sr., began 
with were a grey, a dark red with white spots 
on its face, and a red with white face : one 
starting with these animals differently marked, 
he and his son would have to subordinate color 
marks to the more essential qualities when 
developing a fresh type of animal from various 
sources. When selecting and blending the best 
materials from a limited number of animals, 
it would have been impossible, even if desired 
at that time, to make the places of the color 
spots on the body an all-important considera- 
tion. If they had bred exclusively from red 
with white face, mottle face or grey, they must 
have sacrificed some of their best animals and 
thus defeated their object. They knew the 
business too well to do that, and by continually 
crossing their differently marked cattle to de- 
velop and fix certain desired characteristics they 
kept these color marks on the body, liquid or 
movable, consequently when the old red with 
white face Herefords were crossed with the 
Tomkins cattle the color marks were easily 
made to conform to the originals, while the 
progeny retained the typically fixed, good qual- 
ities of the Tomkins breed, conserved through 
a long line of generations. 

It is unfortunate that at the time when the 
Tomkins were systematically transforming the 
Herefords from rough, bony draught and dairy 
cattle into a superior beef-producing breed, that 
no written records were kept. In the absence 
of these the old writers took color markings as 
indicating what they chose to call breed. They 
spoke of the white-face breed, the mottle breed, 
the grey breed; and they took it for granted 
that breed and color necessarily went together 
and could not be separated. The universal ac- 
ceptance of this great error led to endless, re- 
grettable disputes amongst the old breeders. 
This misuse of the word "breed" was most 
misleading during the transition state of the 
Herefords, and all attempts to trace its history 
by color marks completely failed. Marshall, 
describing Bakewell's Longhorn in 1784, says: 
"Color is various, the Brindle, the Pinchbeck 
and the Pye are common. The lighter the 
color the better they seem to be esteemed, but 



INTU OD U C T I N 



11 



this seems to be merely a matter of iashion." 
And when describing the points of a perfect 
Longhorn he says: "Any color that can be 
joined with the foregoing qualifications, it 
being perhaps of little (if any) essential im- 
port." Thus Bakewell, like Tomkins, disre- 
garded color marks, and his improved Long- 
horns varied in this respect, but were not called 
in consequence the Brindle breed, the Pinch- 
beck breed and the Pye breed. 

Instances are given in the first volume of the 
Herd Book where the sire and dam are white- 
faced and the offsj)ring mottle-faced, and vice 
versa. In the phraseology of the day, the sire 
and dam would belong to the white-faced 
breed, and the offspring the mottle breed. This 
clearly illustrates the fallacy of taking color 
marking as a guide to the breed during the 
transition period of the Herefords. 

Tomkins never line bred color markings, 
but rather used them together in every imag- 
inable way. Their system was in the words of 
the poet: 

"White face, Pick face. Mottle face and Grey, 

Mingle, Mingle, Mingle, ye that mingle may." 

The Herefords were then in a state of com- 
minglation with the Tomkins cattle, on whose 
bodies color marks had no fixed abode, so that 
at that time it was a matter of choice where 
these should be placed on the future Hereford. 
It could have been constituted a grey, a mottle 
face or a white-face breed. The overwhelm- 
ing choice was to stick to the old red with 
white face markings, and although some old 
breeders resisted- this for a time, they ultimately 
died or gave up the contest. 

The red with white face markings left liquid 
by Tomkins have now through many years of 
selection carefully obliterated tlie spotted face 
and grey markings, and become typically fixed 
and the true index of breed, which they were 
not during the transition period. 

Doubtless the Tomkins cattle would have 
spread much faster if B. Tomkins. Jr., had not 
been so extremely jealous of others obtaining 
his best blood. It is well known that he had 
many of his best bulls killed at home for the 
harvest men rather than others should have 
them, and many of his best cows were resold by 
the butchers for breeding pur])Oses. The old 
butchers bore universal testimony that the 
Tomkins cattle were the most profitable butch- 
ers" cattle they killed. 

Day of Credenhill, Bakerville of Weobley, 
Preece of the Shrewd, Davies of Canon Pyon, 
and others used to declare that for quality of 
meat, associated with smallness of offal, none 
they killed approached them. And Sinclair has 



shown in his history that all the old noted 
herds, without exception, that could be traced 
went back to what Hewer tersely called "Old 
Tomkins" Prime Cattle."' 

* * * 

Beside the foregoing manuscript, prepared 
by Mr. Bustin, I wish to acknowledge here his 
great assistance in the preparation of the illus- 
trations in this history. Without Mr. Bustin"s 
help this great feature of the work would be 
most lamentably lacking. His skillful search 
has unearthed drawings and paintings that have 




TABLET OP BENJAMIN TOMKINS, JR.. KING'S-PYON 
CHURCH, HEREFORDSHIRE. 

been hid for years; he visited various parts of 
England, securing photos of homesteads, farm 
views, ancient drawings, paintings and engrav- 
ings, etc., etc., which are invaluable to the 
student of Hereford history. I wish to ac- 
knowledge also the kind co-operation of Mr. 
Geo. Leigh, of Aurora, 111., to whom I am in- 
debted for many photographs of English Here- 
ford breeders, their homes and their cattle. 

I would draw particular attention to the fact 
that the illustrations in this work are, as far 
as ])ossible, reproductions of photographs from 
life. The successful ])hotograph of live ani- 
mals is only a recent accomplishment, and not 



13 



INTRODUCTION 



as yet so successful in America as in England. 
This is one great work wherein England excels 
America, a condition which can hardly be ex- 
pected to last. It is only in recent years that 
actual photographs of cattle from life has been 
the successful method of illustration in Eng- 
land. Therefore, the illustrations in this work 
of both English and American subjects, prior 
to 1895, are reproductions of lithographs, 
paintings, engravings, etc., all produced by 
hand. I thought at first that it would be best 
to have old drawings modernized by an up-to- 
date live stock artist, as has been done in some 
other prominent works on cattle, but after giv- 
ing the matter much thought it seemed to me 




W. li. BUSTIN. HEREFORD, ENG. 



best to reproduce these old pictures exactly as 
they were made. They vary, as does all hand 
work, with the ideals of the artists drawing 
them. Messrs. Gauci, Page, Dewey. Burk, Hill 
Palmer, Throop, etc., each had their ideal, so 
that were each of these men to portray the same 
animals those familiar with their work would 
have no difficulty in discovering from the pic- 
ture who the artist was by the peculiar personal 
ideal invariably, and perhaps unconsciously, 
incorporated into the picture. Some of the 
ancient artists painted the forms of the ani- 
mals they portrayed upon impossible stems, 
representing legs. If the readers of Miller's 



History will bear in mind these variations of 
the artists' ideals when examining the old draw- 
ings of cattle reproduced herein they will form 
a much more intelligent conception of the ex- 
cellence of those old foundation animals by sub- 
stituting in their mind's eye correct impressions 
of animal anatomy for the superfine limbs and 
heads portrayed by the artists. I have 
in the appendix added full page reproduc- 
tions of photographs from life of choice 
specimen Herefords of different ages, be- 
ing correct reproductions of actual pho- 
tographs from life; every one knows that pho- 
tographs have never yet been made to flatter 
animals, for, as a rule, they portray faults 
more plainly than virtues. These photo- 
graphs, however, give the most correct ideas of 
anatomy attainable by any process known at 
this day. These illustrations have been selected 
carefully from photographs taken in England, 
and are specifically included in the appendix 
of this work to give correct ideas of Hereford 
form and character. 

In closing I wish to say that there are per- 
sonal references in this book, mainly of persons 
long since deceased, that I regret exceedingly 
to see again in print. Yet, to leave out these 
references, would be leaving out facts of his- 
tory that would give the reader no conception 
of the trials and vexations to which the early 
supporters of the Hereford breed of cattle were 
subjected. No one coming freshly upon the 
scene to participate in the breeding of pure- 
bred cattle in these days of breed tolerance 
could understand the lengths to which jealousy, 
])rejudice and selfish interests drove men in 
their opposition to Hereford cattle; in what 
was, in veriest truth, the "Battle of the 
Breeds." I have personally experienced some- 
thing in this line myself. Several old show 
ring controversies are, in this work, again 
brought to light. Fraudulent entries and false 
ages are shown to have been prominent factors 
in past conflicts. Let no reader suppose that 
such things do not exist to-day. They are not 
so patent between the breeds, because the show 
ring contests between breeds has largely been 
done away with, but the fraudulent exhibitor 
is, if possible, more prevalent to-day than ever. 
He can be found in our own ranks, so much so 
that an exhibitor must take one of three 
courses, either one of which is equally unpleas- 
ant. I refer to the fact that ages are misrep- 
resented (flagrantly, in some cases). Surgical 
operations are performed to change the appear- 
ance and eradicate defects of animals in a man- 
ner that should put the most unscrupulous 
horse farrier to shame, and there are, at times, 



INTRODUCTION 



13 



as notorious manipulations of judging commit- 
tees in the present day as ever occurred in the 
past. As I said before there are three courses 
open to the honest exhiljitor who desires to 
bring his cattle before the public at the great 
shows. He must either (first) protest and prove 
these nefarious practices; (second) practice 
these unworthy methods himself, or (third) 
submit tamely and allow the unscrupulous ex- 
hil)itor to win unmerited prizes and escape 
un.-jcathed. The one redeeming feature of the 
show ring is that the unscrupulous exhibitors 
are a very small minority, so that whenever 
those who show fairly and honestly get to- 
gether and protest in a body against crooked 
practices they can be overthrown, but as a rule 
up to this time exhibitors have preferred to 
allow these frauds to go unrebuked, because of 
the prominence of the parties committing 
them, or of a desire to keep peace regardless of 
price. Again, the class of exhibitors commit- 
ting these depredations on the show ring 
usually last but a little while. They are, as it 
were, meteors, who come out and, to use their 
own language, '"make a killing" in the prize 
ring for a year or two, and then disappear, only 



to be followed by some similar fraud upon 
whom their mantle invariably falls. As I said 
before, these un]ileasant parts of the book are 
left as their author shaped them. Mr. Miller 
and my father had the habit of calling things 
by their real names, and both were accustomed 
to tell the truth regardless of who were hurt 
or benefited thereby, and therefore I have felt 
constrained to adopt the policy that was forced 
upon Pontius Pilate and say, "What is written 
is written." They could never in life forgive 
the garbling of their statements by the editor, 
and I could not be party to such action now 
that they are not here to protest for them- 
selves. 

This is Mr. Miller's work, and as such is 
submitted as the best work ever published on 
cattle. If every stockman in America will read 
this work and act upon its suggestit)ns, in the 
light of its teachings, more will be accom- 
plished in the profitable upl)uilding of the beef 
interests of America in one decade hereafter 
than has heretofore been accomplished in a 
century. T. F. B. Sotham. 

Chillicothe, Mo., 

April 14th, 1903. 



H 1 S T U 1? Y OF H E K E F R D CATTLE 



lA 



CHAPTER I. 

Foundation Hereford Herds 



In the year 1G27, John Speed published a 
work on England, Wales, and Scotland, in 
which he says of Herefordshire, "the climate 
is most healthful and the soil so fertile for 
corn and cattle that no place in England yield- 
cth more or better conditioned." (^ 1) 

Starting from this data, it is fair to presume 
that the cattle of Herefordshire should im- 
prove, and that Mr. Benjamin Tomkins, who 
commenced the breeding of Herefords in the 
year 1742, should have found a class of cattle 
of great merit. (H 2) It is well here to give 
an account of the Tomkins family. 

The Tomkins of Weobley were of considera- 
ble note and position in its neighborhood, prior 
to the civil war of Charles the First, but being 
enthusiastic Royalists, they suffered much, in 
consequence of that monarch's overthrow. 

They were distinguished in music and paint- 
ing, being patronized in lioth arts by royalty, 
and the leading members of the House; they 
were great and consistent politicians, for many 
generations, representing Leominster and 
Weobley in Parliament. 

At successive periods during the seventeenth 
century, the branch from which the dis- 
tinguished cattle breeder sprang was known 
as Tomkins of Garnestone, a considerable do- 
main, situated immediately south of Weobley, 
which belonged to James Tomkins, Lord of 
Weobley, and ]M. P. for Leominster from 1623 
to 1628, who was much esteemed as a country 
gentleman and noted debater in the House of 
Commons. 

In tlie beginning of the eighteenth century, 
was one Richard Tomkins, of the New House, 
King's- Pyon parish (^ 3), who spent his life 
there, and l)ecame a very successful farmer 
and breeder of work oxen. In his will in 1720, 
he bequeatlied a yoke of oxen, called Spark and 
^lerchant. to his son Richard, and a cow Silver 
and calf to his son Benjamin. Richard Tom- 
kins died in 1723, leaving six sons and one 
daughter. Five of his sons established them- 
selves as farmers in the immediate neighbor- 



hood. The fourth son, the first distinguished 
cattle breeder, "Benjamin Tomkins the elder,'' 
was Ijom at the New House, King's-Pyon, in 
171-i, and commenced business at the Court 
House, Canon Pyon, about 1738. He married 
Anne Preece of Alton, in 1742, and subse- 
quently moved to Wellington Court in 1758, 
whore he died in 1789, leaving six children, 
four sons and two daughters. Of these four 
sons, Benjamin, who has been credited as the 
noted breeder and improver of the Hereford 
breed of cattle, was the second son of Benjamin 
of the Court House and Wellington Court, and 
from Richard of New House to Benjamin in- 
clusive, there were ten of the sons and grand- 
sons, who were all farmers and prol)ably 
breeders of Hereford cattle. 

Benjamin Tomkins, (tf4) the renowned 
breeder, was the second son of Benjamin Tom- 
kins of Court House, Canon P3'on, where he 
was born in 174.5 and commenced farming at 
Black Hall. (If .5) King's-Pyon, in 1766. He 
married in 1772, his cousin Sarah, second 
daughter of Richard Tomkins of the Grange, 
Wormsley. He occupied Black Hall until 
1798 when he sub-let it to his nephew, George 
Tomkins, Jr., of Frogdon, and removed to 
Wellington Court, which he held as a bytake, 
from his father's death. 

In 1812 he gave up Wellington Court and 
went to reside at his own place. Brook House, 
(H 6) King's-Pyon, where he died in 1815. 
From James Tomkins, Lord of Wcol)ley, who 
was active in politics in 1623-8, to Richard, 
who commenced farming at New House, 
King's-Pyon, and died in 1723 — nearly one 
hundred years — we are without a record. 

Returning to Mr. Benjamin Tomkins, the 
younger, who commenced the improvement of 
the Herefords in 1766, we have very little in- 
formation as to the course he pursued, except 
that his cattle obtained a very enviable reputa- 
tion among breeders, and brought large prices 
from some of the best breeders during his time. 
At one time he took tweutv cows to Hereford- 



16 



HISTORY OF H E K E F E D CATTLE 



shire Agricultural Show and gave a challenge 
■of £100 to any one who would show an equal 
number against him. His nephew, George 
Tomkins, after traveling over Herefordshire 
and other parts of England, among cattle 
breeders, when he came home, reported to his 
uncle that of all the cattle he had seen, there 
were none equal to his. Mr. Jno. Price, of 
Ryall, about the year 1804, became acquainted 
with the cattle of Mr. Benjamin Tomkins, 
from whom he bought a few cows, using them 
to bulls descended from Mr. Walker's stock. 
He first attempted to improve the Tomkins 
cattle by crossing them with the larger stock 
of Mr. Walker, with a view of increasing their 
size, but the result was so unfavorable that he 
put away all these crosses and returned to the 
pure Tomkins variety. Mr. Price continued 
to breed Herefords until 1841, his herd being 
solely of the Tomkins blood. So that, upwards 
of seventy years at le'ast, this strain, first in 
possession of Benjamin Tomkins, and then in 
that of John Price, was bred continuously 
without an out-cross. 

It would appear that Mr. Tomkins was en- 
titled to the position of leader in the improve- 
ment of the breed, and for giving a fixed char- 
acter both as to quality, color, and markings. 



and at the same time, the Hewers, William and 
John, were close seconds. It was perhaps to 
be expected that their friends would take sides, 
and a feeling of rivalry should grow up among 
them for the time being; but ultimately as 
these difl^erent lines expanded and new men 
took the places of the early rivals, the best 
of each were brought together. 

Mr. John Price of Pyall and other eminent 
breeders acquired bulls and cows of the Tom- 
kins breed and they soon spread widely over 
the country. In October, 1808, Tomkins had 
a large sale at the Court Farm, Wellington, 
which the auctioneer, Mr. William James, an- 
nounced in these words : "For sale, the follow- 
ing valuable and much admired stock, the 
property of Benjamin Tondcins, who is going 
to decline breeding cattle; consisting of 20 
capital cows and heifers, which have five calves 
now sucking, two four-year-old bulls, one ditto 
martin, nine three-year-old bullocks, six two- 
year-old ditto, two yearling heifers, one of 
which is heavy in calf, three two-year-old bulls, 
two ditto yearlings." No note of the prices or 
purchasers' names at this sale has been ob- 
tained, Init we are able to give a private valua- 
tion of the stock at Wellington Court Farm, 
drawn up by George Tomkins in June, 1808, 




SCENE IN HEREFORDSHIRE.— A FERTILE SOIL AND WELL-CONDITIONED CATTLE. 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



17 



wlnVh will indicate tlic owner's estimate of 
Ihcir wcirtJi: "1".' i-rnvs and calves at £40 
($■200) each, £4S0 (.$>'.10()); l'^ oxen at £43 
($215) each, £.-)l(i ($2..")S0); 10 two-year-olds 
at £20 ($100) eaeh, £200 ($1,000) ; 10 year- 
lings at £15 ($75) eaeh, £150 ($750)." An 
average for old and voung, steers and breeding 
stoek of over £1^0 ($150) each. 

Only a comparatively small number of the 
bulls iired by Kenjamin Tomkins were entered 
in the Herd Book, and in few cases are par- 
ticidars given of their breeding. Wellington 
(4) KiO (1|8) is registered simply as coming 
under the division of the mottle faces, and as 
having been bred by Mr. B. Tomkins. He 
passed into the possession of Mr. Price, and 
was purchased at- his sale in 1816 bv Mr. Jelli- 
coe of Beighterton for £28.3 10s, ($1,400), be- 
ing afterwards sold to Mr. Germaine. He was 
considered by Mr. Tomkins the best bull he 
ever bred, his Silver Bull (41) 432, excepted, 
and also the best stock getter. In Vol. 1 of the 
English Herd Book, there is a colored litho- 
gra]ih (reproduced herein) of this hull from a 
painting by Mr. Welles, representing a compact, 
straight animal, of fine size, with fine bone, 
mottle face, white dewlap, and white along the 
lower parts of the body. Another of Tomkins' 
bulls registered in Vol. 1, is Ben (96) 6703, 
of which the editor, ^Mr. Eyton. says that "Miss 
Tomkins informed him that Ben was by Sam 
(144) 6'704, out of one of Mr. Tomkins' cows 
called Nancy." Sam (144) C704, is without 
recorded pedigree, all that is said concerning 
him being that he was bred bv B. Tond<ins. 
Wild Bull (1-15) 3040, bred by Tond<ins, was, 
on Miss Tomkins' authority, said to be bv Sil- 
ver Bull (41) 432. out of Tidv 340. Phoenix 
(55) 3035, a mottle face, out of Storrell 3039, 
bred bv Mr. Tond<ins and got by Wild Bull 
(1 15) '3040, was purchased at Miss Tomkins' 
sale in 1S19 for 560 guineas (over $2,800) by 
Eord Talbot. Mr. Eyton has this remark as to 
his dam: "Storrell, Miss Tomkins informs 
me, was out of a mottle faced cow of the same 
name (Storrell 3041), bv a Pigeon bull." The 
bull called Son of Prices 25 (84) 440, bred by 
Tomkins, was out of (Price's No. 25) 439, 
"who was out of a sister to the dam of Price's 
23. or 'The Slit Teat cow,' by the Silver Bull 
(41) 432." Proctor's bull, (316) 376, was 
bred bv B. Tomkins "out of his favorite cow, 
'Old P'ink.'" Voltaire (39A) 429, was a white 
faced bull bred bv Tomkins, dam Price's No. 
3. Wizard (59) 6699, was a mottle face of 
Tomkins' breeding by Ben (96) 6703, and 
was sold to Mr. Oermaine for 300 guineas 
($1,500). Wedgeman (166) was bred by Tom- 



kins, but no pedigree is given in the Herd Book. 
In the appendix to Vol. XI of the English 
Herd Book, Mr. E. F. Welles gave some inter- 
esting recollections of the stock of Mr. John 
Price, from which a very complete idea can be 
obtained of the character and appearance of 
the Tomkins cattle. It is, indeed, one of the 
most valuable statements that has been made 
on the subject. Mr. Welles says: "When Mr. 
John Price commenced cattle breeding, the 
character of bull most in esteem in the chief 
Midland districts was one having a throat with 
as little loose flesh as possible depending from 




TYPICAL HEREFORD FAT OXEN OF THE OLD- 
FASHIONED SORT. 

it. Tliis character was also introduced by some 
cattle breeders amongst Herefords. The cele- 
brated Purslow bull, the property of the Hay- 
woods of Clifton-on-Teme, had this character. 
Mr. Walker of Burton had also adopted it, and 
from him Mr. Price bad a bull or two. Mr. B. 
Tomkins and other Hereford breeders had not 
lieen affected by this fashion, and Mr. Price, 
when he became acrpiainted with Mr. Tondcins' 
stock, relinquished it, preferring, and upon 
sounder principles, that character which better 
indicated the male animal, a considerable de- 
gree of throatiness not being objected to. This 
character belonged to Wellington (4) 160, the 
first bull, and I think, the only one bought by 
Mr. Price of Mr. B. Tomkins. This bull was very 
dark in color, with face and bosom both mottled 
and speckled. His dam, too, bought afterwards 
by Mr. Price (but did not breed with him), 
was also of the same color." 

"The cows bought by Mr. Price of ilr. Tom- 
kins were the following: First, a large cow 
with a speckled face, giving a blue appearance 
to it, with what may be termed an arched fore- 
head or Roman nose, tips of horns blackish, 
body of lightish brown, dappled, under part of 



18 



H I S T () i; V F H E K E F II D C A T T L E 



body and legs inclining to blackness, white 
along her back and well formed, but on rather 
high legs. Secondly, a cow connnonly called 
'the Mark-nosed cow' — a red cow with mottled 
face, square made, and on short legs, rich 
quality of flesh, with a soft and thick pile of 
hair moderately curled. This cow was un- 
fortunate to Mr. Price as a breeder, the only 
produce I recollect out of her being the 
'Marked faced bull,' alias Tyon' at his sale. 
Thirdly, a large yellow cow with white face, 
rather long headed, and not carrying much 
ilesh. She was the dam of Voltaire (39A) 
429, by one of Mr. Tomkins' bulls. 

"Pigeon, by far the most remarkable cow he 
had of Mr. Tomkins— and her own character, 
as well as that of her descendants, will well 
warrant me in terming her the best — was a 
large cow, rather on high legs, somewhat shal- 
low in the bosom, with very fine bone, neck 
rather light, head good but horn short; her 
color a speckled grey, the red parts being dark, 
growing still darker about her legs; hair rather 
short but soft, quality of flesh excellent, back 
and hind-quarters great, excepting thighs, 
which were rather light, but with good twist; 
her constitution hardy, and she was a regular 




THE NEW HOUSE. KING'S-PYON. HEREFORDSHIRE. 

and successful breeder. About this same time 
also, Mr. Price had another cow from Mr. B. 
Tomkins, which was called the Rough cow, 
from her coat being much curled; she was a 
middle sized cow, nothing remarkable in form, 
her color dark red, with white back, and she 
had the reputation of being of a family that 
were good ox breeders. Mr. Price had a bull 
from this cow called 'Rougli bull' alias 'Origi- 
nal,' but he did not long retain any of his 'stock. 
There were sisters to him by other Tomkins 
hulls. Two more cows Mr. Price subsequently 
obtained from Mr. B. Tomkins— a half-sister to 



i\"o. 25, and a daughter to Mr. Tomkins' 
famous 'Slit Teat Cow' No. 31. The former 
of these was a small cow out of a very true 
form, dark color, with white along her back; 
she was the dam of Lord Talbot's Woodcock 
(50) 654, sire of Mr. Price's Woodcock 
Pigeon G51. I am not aware that Mr. Price 
had any more cows from Mr. B. Tomkins, but 
he afterward obtained two cows of his blood 
— one called Damsel 371 from Mr. T. Tom- 
kins, and another from Mr. Tomkins of Worm- 
bridge, the former the dam of Woodman 
(10) 307 and the latter the dam of Diana 
638. He also bought a few Tomkins bred 
cows from Mr. Jas. Price; among these was 
the dam of Peg Murphy 3559." 

These notes, which furnish a complete pic- 
ture of a large numlier of the Tomkins cattle, 
fully bear out what has been said as to their 
diversified colors. Mr. Price's selections com- 
prised animals that were yellow with white 
face ; speckled grey ; dark red, with white back ; 
red with mottle face; dark color with white 
along the back ; and lightish brown dappled, 
with white along the back, etc. The only 
point in which there was an approach to imi- 
formity as regards color was the white back. 
A few other notes as to Tomkins' cows are 
gleaned from the entries in the Herd Book. 
The "Slit Teat Cow" referred to by Mr. Welles 
was considered bv Tomkins the best cow he 
ever had. Storrell 3039 by AVild Bull (145) 
3040, was, as has already been mentioned, dam 
of Phoenix (55) 3035^ sold to Lord Talbot 
for 5G0 guineas ($2,800). Old Rose was out 
of the dam of Silver Bull (41) 433, Old 
Lovely 657 was a daughter of the "Slit Teat 
Cow." All we know about others are their 
names, and in some cases those of their sires 
— Blowdy out of Old Pidgeon, the dam of Mr. 
Price's Pigeon 373 ; Margaret, bv Silver Bull 
(41) 432 ; Stately, by Wizard (59) 6699; Blos- 
som, by Phoenix (55) 3035; Old Lily, Nutty, 
etc. 

After the dca'th of B. Tomkins, in October, 
1815, the herd, which had by this time been 
much reduced in numbers by private sales, was 
kept on by his daughters, the Misses Tomkins, 
until October, 1819, when part of it was sold. 
Through the courtesy of Mr. Haywood of 
Blackmere House we have been favored with a 
copy of the original sale bill, containing the 
prices and purchasers' names, marked by one 
who was present at the sale. The document 
has a historic importance, and is reproduced in 
full : 

"A catalogue of the valuable stock of ))rime 
Herefordsliire cattle, the property of tlie late 



IT I S T H Y F 11 ]•: IJ E F Jl D f A T T T. E 



19 



J. Tomkins of \Vollin>;l(in Court, whicli will 
oe sold by lUU'tiou without rcsorvc, upon the 
premises at King's-Pvoii, niiu' miles from Here- 
ford, on Monday, ISth October, 1815), beinj; 
the eve of the Herefordshire Agrieultural 
Show, and two days |)reviolis to the great cattle 
fair at Hereford: 

LOT. NAME. PURCHASER. PRICE. 

1. Yearling heiler, _ 

Youug Blowdy .Mr. W. West 56 14 0^ $2S5 

2. Ditto. Young F; 

maid 

3. Two-year-old i 

calf heifer, Young 
Blossom 

4. Ditto, Young Silver. 

5. In-calf heifer, Duch- 



. -Mr. Court 99 15 0= 500 



8. Ditto, Silk .., 

9. Ditto, Beauty 

10. Ditto, Silver . 

11. Ditto, Cherry 



12. Ditto, Prettymald. 

13. Ditto. Piot 

14. Ditto, Nancy 



Ditto. Blowdy... 
Ditto. Fairmaid 
Ditto, Tidy 

, Ditto, Lovely . . 

. Ditto, Storrell.. 



Ditto, Pink 

Bull-calf oft Ditto. 

Ditto off Beauty 

Fat Cow, Blossom. 

Pair of two-year- 
old steers (twins) 

Ditto 

Ditto 

Single Bullock 

Pair of yearling bul- 
locks 

Ditto 

Ditto 

Ditto 

Ditto 

Pair of bullock 
calves 

Ditto 

Ditto 



Ii-. G. Tomkins, for 

Lord Talbot 105 0= 

Ir. John Tomkins.. 73 10 0= 

Mr. G. Tomkins, for 

. Lord Talbot 105 0= 

, Mr. W. West 159 12 0= 

..Mr. G. Tomkins, for 

Lord Talbot 52 10 0= 

, Mr. Lewis 70 7 0= 

, Mr. Cooke 262 10 0= 

• Mr. West 210 0= 

, Mr. G. Tomkins, tor 

Lord Talbot 110 5 0= 

, Mr. Lewis 99 15 0= 

,Mr. Turner 105 0= 

, .Mr. G. Tomkins, for 

Lord Talbot 252 5 0= 

Mr. Cooke 273 0= 

Mr. West 65 2 0= 

.Mr. Cooke 131 5 0= 

Mr. Cooke 53 11 0= 

, .Mr. G. Tomkins, for 

Lord Talbot 262 5 0= 

Mr. Edwards 14115 0= 

Mr. Clarke 147 0= 

Mr. Crooke 215 5 0= 

Mr. James 48 6 0= 

Mr. T. Cooke 47 5 0= 

Mr. W. Cooke 48 6 0= 

Mr. James Price 49 0= 

Mr. James Price 20 0= 

Mr. Smith 24 0= 

Mr. Patrick 27 0= 

Mr. James Price 49 0= 

Mr. Oliver 27 6 0= 

Mr. Wedge 25 10 0= 

Mr. W. Cooke 20 10 0= 

Mr. W. Cooke 16 0= 

Mr. Wright 16 0= 



37. Heifer calf 

38. Ditto 

39. Two-year-old bull 

of Pink 

40. Ditto of Storrell 

41. Four-year-old Ditto 

42. Five-year-old Ditto. 



Mr. W. West 147 0= 

Mr. G. Tomkins, tor 

Lord Talbot 588 0= 

Mr. Welles 162 15 0= 

Mr. T. Cooke 173 5 0= 



"X. B. — The above cattle are all of the pure 
breed, which have been so justly esteemed and 
admired l)y the most competent Judges in every 
part of the kingdom where they have been in- 
troduced, and for which peculiar blood, the 
highest prices have been obtained, and particu- 
larly No. 23, which is considered to carry the 
greatest weight ujion the smallest bone of any 
cow in the kingdom." 

Sr M.MARY OF .SALES. 

Total. Average. 

£ s d £ s d=U. S. D. 

17 cows 2249 2 149 18 9=$ 749.68 

3 two-year-old heifers 283 10 94 10 0= 472. .iO 

2 yearling heifers 15S 9 78 4 6= 391.12 

4 bulls 1071 267 15 0=1338.75 

2 bull calves 362 5 181 2 6= 905.62 

Od ($20,861.50): Average, £149 



It is interesting tt) compare the foregoing 
averages with those realized at the great Short- 
horn (Durham) .sales of the Brothers (-'oiling, 
which took place about the same time. At Mr, 
('has. Colling's sale at Ketton, in 1810, the 
average for 47 head was £151 8s ($75';, 00) 
(the bull Comet bringing 1,000 guineas or 
$5,000.00). At Mr. Eobt. CoUings sale at 
Brampton in 1818, 61 head averaged £128 17s 
lOd ($644.35); and at his sale in 1830, 46 head 
averaged £49 8s 7d ($247.14), 

A statement has recently been made to the 
effect that the Tomkins Herefords, if they had 
not from the effects of excessive in-and-in 
breeding fallen into disrepute before B. Tom- 
kins' death, at least did so almost immediately 
afterwards. There is certainly no evidence of 
want of public appreciation in the sale list 
which has just been given. Moreover, Mr. John 
Price for many years retained without any mix- 
ture the blooci of Tomkins, and also bred very 
closely, and yet when his herd was dispersed in 
1841 (26 years after Tomkins" death) the aver- 
age for 99 lots was £53 16s 4d ($270). But it is 
only necessary to glance at the composition of 
the foundation herds of Herefords as recorded 
in the Herd Book — those of Knight, Smythies, 
Yarworth, Hewer, Walker, Hoskyns, Perry, 
Jellico, Smith, Lord Talbot, Sir F. Lawley, 
etc., to see how largely the Tomkins blood was 
infused over the breed. There was scarcely one 
of the early herds that was not indebted to the 
Tomkins strains for ])art of its excellence, and 
if the results of injudicious in-and-in breeding 
had then, as is alleged, been so painfully ap- 
parent, the blood would have scarcely obtained 
such wide circulation. That some of Tomkins' 
cattle went into the possession of those who 
were not able to do them justice, and who 
failed in the attempt to carry out what they 
supposed was his system, is unquestionable; 
but that the herd retained unimpaired its high 
character when Benjamin Tomkins died, is 
proved by the results in 1819, and by the fact 
that John Price continued for 37 years to suc- 
cessfully breed on the Tomkins' lines without 
resorting to other blood. 

After the sale in 1819 the Misses Tomkins 
remained at the Brook House Farm, and con- 
tinued to breed Hereford cattle. They had a 
second sale in October, 1839, when it was an- 
nounced that they were about to retire from 
business. The catalogue of this sale shows that 
their cattle still retained considerable reputa- 
tion. Among the prices were £108 ($540) for 
the nine-year-old cow Pigeon, the ])urcha.ser 
being Mr. Cough; £50 ($250) for the eight- 
year-old cow Stately (Mr. Davenport); £56 




BENJAMIN TOMKINS, Jr., 1745 Islo. 



II I S T R Y F HEREFORD CATTLE 



21 



($280) for the seven-year-old cow Diana (Mr. 
Galliers); £50 (or $250) for the nine-year-old 
cow Lovely (Mr. Galliers); £52 ($260) for the 
three-year-old heifer Countess (Mr. Jones); £51 
($255) for the two-year-old heifer Tidy (Mr. 
Galliers). A three-year-old bull No. 1, got by 
a bull from Old Pigeon by the same sire, made 
£82 ($410) (Mr. Griffiths). Among the other 
purchasers were Mr. Smythies, Mr. Yeld, Mr. 
Vevers, Mr. J. Moore, etc. The average for 
48 animals was over £30 (or $150). The final 
sale was in October, 1854, one of the sisters 
having, in the interval, died. The entire herd, 
jumdjering 55 head, ''descended from that 
])eculiar blood wliieh has for three-fourths of 
a century been the admiration of the county, 
and which have upon former occasions realized 
higher prices than any other breed of Here- 
fords in the kingdom," was then dispersed. No 
catalogue of this sale seems to have been 
printed; the announcement having been made 
on a "broadside," specifying the numbers of 
the various classes of stock, and there is no 
note of prices. The auctioneer, however, 
stated that the animals were purely descended 
from the herd of the late Mr. Benjamin Tom- 
kins, from whom the late Mr. Price of Ryall 
ol)tained tliat breed of cattle which, at different 
times, have been distributed through the 
United Kingdom at enormous prices, particu- 
lars of which will be found in "Eyton's Herd 
Book." From a note in Vol. 1 of the Herd 
Book it appears that it was the custom of the 
Misses Tomkins to give the same names to their 
cows through successive generations, and their 
bulls — of which they were in the habit of keep- 
ing four or five — were not distinguished by 
names but by numbers. From these causes no 
bulls or cows bred by them appear in the Herd 
liook. AVe are informed that for some years 
the Misses Tomkins had the advantage of Mr. 
George Tomkins' assistance, but when he gave 
up his farm in 18.3() the herd does not seem to 
have been so carefully managed, though the 
system of close breeding was continued. 
Doubtless the Misses Tomkins parted with the 
best portion of their stock in 1819, and most 
of the remainder in 18.39; and between that 
date and 1854, having only themselves and a 
liailitf to depend u])on, it was only to have been 
expected that their herd should not continue 
to possess the special merits by which it was 
formerl}' characterized, and it may be from its 
decadence that the idea has arisen, that Ben- 
jamin Tomkins' stock had greatly deteriorated 
before his death. 

Other mend)ers of the Tomkins family beside 
the Misses Tomkins engaged in the breeding 



of Herefords. Among them may be mentioned 
Mr. Richard Tomkins, Hyatt, Sarnesfield, a 
brother of the wife of Benjamin Tomkins. He 
was born in 1736 and died in 1819. After the 
death of this gejitleman, his herd was sold in 
April, 1819. We have the sale list but it is 
unnecessary to print it in full. The prices were 
very good for the times. A pair of o.xen named 
Summons and Merryman were sold for £80 
($400); another pair named Merchant and 
Lightfoot sold for £60 ($300); Mr. West car 
gave £50 ($250) for a pair of three-year-old 
bullocks, and £48 10s ($240) for another pair. 
Among the purchasers of breeding stock were 
the Rev. Mr. Smythies, and Mr. Jones, Brein- 
ton. Mr. Bray tells us that among Richard 
Tomkins' stock were a good many of the 
"hailed backed" variety, and several of the 
animals included in the sale are thus described 
in the catalogue. The Rev. J. R. Smythies 
purchased two "hail backed" heifers. 

George Tomkins of Frogdon, born 1740, died 
1797, brother of Benjamin Tomkins, the 
younger, had also a noted stock of Herefords, 
and he is generally believed to have been a 
remarkably good judge of stock. 

George Tomkins, son of the gentleman just 
named, nephew of Benjamin Tomkins and a 
trusted friend of Lord Talbot, also bred Here- 
ford cattle. Born in 1776, he occupied the 
farms of Wistaston and Frogdon. He gave up 
the former farm to his son-in-law, Thos. Gal- 
liers, in 1836, and then retired to the Green, 
Norton Canon. The portrait of a cow, bred by 
George Tomkins, was often pointed out by the 
mother and father of T. T. Galliers, Wistas- 
ton, as being a good representative of the Tom- 
kins' "Silver-breed." This cow was purchased 
by Mr. Peploe, of Garnestone Castle, and was a 
favorite of his, being kept to a great age for 
breeding. He had her painted by Weaver in 
1814, when she was eight years old, and the 
]iicture hung in Mr. Peploe's study during his 
lifetime, and during that of his successor. Cap- 
tain Peploe. When the Rev. J. B. Webb-Peploe 
succeeded to the property he presented the oil 
painting to the late Mrs. Galliers on her re- 
questing permission to have a photo taken of 
the portrait of her father's Silver cow. (If 9) 
This i)ainting represents the Tomkins Silver 
variety of Herefords. Mr. T. A. Knight, of 
Downton, obtained some of his stock from Mr. 
Geo. Tomkins, who died in 1854, aged 79 
years. 

Other members of the Tomkins family who 
were breeders of the Hereford cattle were Rich- 
ard Tomkins. of Di]ipers iloor, born 1757, 
died 1800; William Tomkins, of Wormbridge, 



22 



H 1 S T (J i; Y OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



born 1756, died 1821; and Thos.. Tomkins, of 
Court House, born 1743. 

Mr. T. C. Yeld (If 10> in an interesting arti- 
cle from which we shall quote, mentions Wig- 
more Grange sale, and says "that most of the 
purchasers secured several lots. They were 
cows, calves, and young heifers; the oxen, 
steers and bulls being sold in the following 
spring. The writer has seen a painting of one 
of the oxen, four of which, he has learned, from 
the family, sold for over £70 ($350) each. 

"Old Jlr. Tully also left three sons in farm- 
ing business — one at Huntington, one at Clyro 
and one at Grafton; and these possessed by far 
the best of what would be called the white- 
faced Herefords, if I except Mr. Skyrme, of 
Stretton, but of whose stock I have no reliable 
account, except the opinion of Mr. T. A. 
Knight, which is certainly most favoralile. In 




BLACK II 



IIOiiEFORDSIIIRE. 



giving an account of the Herefords of the last 
century, I have stated nothing but what is 
from correct sources. 

"I now ]n-oceed to name the best herds at the 
commencement of the present century, and al- 
though Mr. Benjamin Tomkins was in the 
highest repute there were many who possessed 
equally good cattle. The late Mr. T. A. Knight 
in replying to my inquiry about the pedigree 
of the celebrated White Bull, writes as follows: 

" 'Sir: The account which you appear to have 
received respecting the bull from which you 
have bred is in every essential respect correct, 
but I did not give the calf to Mr. Turley. He 
l)ought it of me, and never paid me anything 
for it. The dam was bred hy Mr. Skyrme, of 
Stretton, who at that time possessed, in my 
o|)inion, by far the best breed of cattle in the 
country, and whicli was Mr. Wcstcar's opinion. 
I reared several otlier bulls from the same cow, 



which were very excellent, and for one of them 
at eleven months old I refused 40'guineas. The 
sire of your bull descended from a mixture 
of the breed of Mr. Tully, of Huntington, and 
Mr. Isaac Martin, who possessed very excellent 
though small, stock. I do not think a better 
bred animal than that about which you have 
inquired ever existed in the county of Here- 
ford. I never bred above two or three animals 
from Benjamin Tomkins' stock, which, I con- 
fess, I never liked. With good wishes, your 
obedient servant, 

(Signed) T. A. Kxight. q 11) 
To T. C. Yeld. 

Downton, January 8th, 1836.' " 

It may be pointed out that ilr. Yeld was evi- 
dently unaware of the fact tliat there were two 
breeders named Benjamin Tomkins. The asso- 
ciate of William Galliers, of Wigmore Grange, 
to whom he refers, was, as has already been 
explained, not Benjamin Tomkins, the younger, 
as he seems to have believed, but his father. 

William Galliers (^ 12a), of Wigmore Grange 
(T|12), was intimately associated with the 
elder Benjamin Tomkins in social and business 
relations, and was born in the year 1713, and 
died May 2()th, 1779, and his herd passed to his 
son, John Galliers. 

William Galliers, of Frogdon, was a son of 
William Galliers (ij 13A), of Wigmore (]\ 12B) 
Grange, and hence a brother of John ; was also a 
lireeder of Herefords, and gained thirteen cups 
and two decanters before the Herefordshire 
Agricultural Society between the years 1802 
and 1815. The Wigmore Grange herd was sold 
on October 15th, 1795. Prior to this date a 
portion of the herd had passed into the hands 
of William Galliers, Jr., who went to Oxhouse 
in 1765; to Eve in 1790; and to Frogdon in 
1799. 

The Wigmore sale, October 15th, 1795, com- 
prised 82 head. 

The two sons of William Galliers — William, 
born at Wigmore Grange (|f 13) in 174-4, who 
died at Oxhouse in 1832, aged 88 years; and 
John, horn at Wigmore Grange in 1755, who 
died at Coxall in 1828 — were both celebrated 
breeders. The prize list of the early shows of 
the Herefordshire Agricultural Society proves 
the character of the stock of William Galliers, 
and the sale list given indicates the estimation 
in which the herd, after it had passed into the 
hands of John Galliers, was held, although he 
does not seem to have long continued breeding 
Herefords after his removal to Coxall in 1795 
(1I13B). 

Miss Tjetitia Galliers, grand-daughter of 



IIISTOK'V OF II E R P: FO I! I) CAT'I'L 



23 



William tialliers, of Frogdoii, rcmemljers some 
animals of the mottled-facu variety being at 
Oxhouse. She believes that at tirst a portion 
of the (ialliers cattle were more or less mottle- 
faeed, but they liradiially assumed the red 
with white face markings, and by selection, 
they ultimately became wholly of that color. 
There can, in her opinion, be no doubt that her 
grandfather won his i)rizes with white-faced 
animals. 

Some notes taken from a memorandum book 
belonging to Mr. William Galliers, of Frogdon, 
show that in 177") an ox weighed 80 st. -t lbs. 
(1,12-1: lbs.); while in 1787 an ox weighed 89 st. 
11 lbs. (1,2.57 lbs.), and a cow weighed 84 st. 
9 1I)S. (1,185 lbs.). He seems to have sold his 
cattle by weight, at 4d per pound, off grass. 

I>enjamin Tomkins, tlie elder, began farming 
in 1738 and died in 1789. 

William (ialliers was born in 1713 (a )-ear 
earlier than Benjamin Tomkins, the elder,) and 
died in 1779, ten years earlier than B. Tom- 
kins, the elder: thus the two men were breed- 
ers for forty years or more. Mr. B. Tomkins, 
starting in 17(>(). was a breeder for 23 years by 
the side of his father, and for 13 vears beside 



Mr. Galliers. John Galliers continued breed- 
ing from this date, after his father's death, until 
October 1.5th, 1795. 

It will be seen from this date that the Tom- 
kins family had been breeders of Hereford cat- 
tle for a century or more; and it is true, jirob- 
ably, from the time of Speed in 1G27, that 
Herefordshire had many farmers who were 
breeders of cattle of a quality equal to the best 
that went into London market. 

.John Duncomb, Secretary of the Hereford 
Agricultural Society, and Historian of the 
county, says: "The cattle of Herefordshire 
have long been esteemed superior to most, if 
not all, other breeds in the Island. Those of 
Devonshire and Sussex approach the nearest to 
them in general appearance. A large size and 
athletic form and unusual neatness, character- 
ize the true sort. The prevailing .color is a red- 
dish brown with white face. They are shod 
with iron in situations which frequently re- 
quire their exertion on hard roads. 

"The showing of oxen in thriving condition, 
at Michaelmas Fair, in Hereford, cannot be ex- 
ceeded by any similar collection in England. 
On this occasion they are generally sold to the 




eriOOK HOUSE. KINO-S-PVON, HEREPORnSIITRp;. 



24 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



principal graziers in the counties near the me- 
tropolis, and then perfected for the London 
market." I have introduced Mr. Duncomb at 
this point, as it is fair to presume that his 
statement may refer to the past as well as to 
his own time. 

Mr. Henry Hajsvood (^ 1-i), of Blakemere 
House, Hereford, informed ]\Iessrs. McDonald 
and Sinclair (editors of a history of Herefords, 
published in 1886) that in the division of John 
Haywood's |iroperty in 171.'1. he especially re- 




WELLINGTON (4) 160, CALVED ISOS. BRED BY B. TOM- 
KINS. 
(From an old lithograph.) 

fers to his cattle and to one of his sons, and 
says further: "My father always told me that 
his great-grandfather (the said John Haywood) 
was considered a superior man of business, and 
was a breeder of Hereford cattle. My uncle, 
Joseph Smith, of Shellesley (who had always 
lived in that neighborhood), often mentioned 
this John Haywood as a leading man and 
breeder of Herefords." 

The fact that the Tomkins family and the 
Haywoods were breeders, each in the eighteenth 
centurj^, and probably much earlier, is suffi- 
cient evidence that the Herefordshire farmers 
were breeders of a superior class of cattle, and 
with such a foundation Mr. Benjamin Tom- 
kins, Jr., commenced his work. 

Mr. J. H. Campbell, of Charlton, Kent Coun- 
ty, was a contributor to the "Annals of Agri- 
culture," publi.shed by Arthur Young. He 
wrote two ])apers for the "Annals" treating on 
breeds of cattle and sheej), and mainly relating 
to the Herefords. Campbell had a controversy 
with Young as to the point that should charac- 
terize a model beef animal, and having been 
described as a warm advocate of the Herefords, 
he said: "I am so, becau.se of long experience. 
If I am wrong, it is not for want of painstaking, 
or being thoroughly acquainted with several 



otherbreeds, and particularly those about which 
there has been much said, at least in print, 
as to which, after a long-continued trial (and 
in the outset of the trial, as confident in my 
expectation as anybody could have been of 
finding them better than the Herefords) in the 
end being of the opinion that in most cases 
they were greatly inferior to them." 

CampbelFs discussion with Young originated 
in a difference of opinion as to the merits of 
an ox, of the true Herefordshire breed, which 
the former had exhibited. 

Campbell says that "the opinion of many 
who viewed this animal alive was that they 
never saw so much beef under a hide of the 
size, and upon so small proportion of bone." 
He also stated that he "knew, from experience 
(hrough trials of various breeds, none that 
would fatten on less food and few that would 
not require more than the true Hereford 
breed. The diflierence in thriving, for the food 
given, between them and good specimens of 
other breeds, which he had fed along with 
them, did not require weight and scales to 
determine." 

Mr. Campbell was a farmer in Charlton, Kent 
Coimty, and a feeder of cattle for the butcher 
in London market, and commenced feeding 
cattle at or before 1779, probably before that 
time. The ox, a specimen of the true Here- 
fordshire breed, over which the controversy was 
held, was slaughtered in 1770 and exhibited at 
Greenwich, on account of the fineness of his 
flesh, beauty of his shape, symmetry of his 
parts, fore and aft, the impartial distribution 
of his weight, and the regular fattening of all 
his parts. The ox was about seven years old, 
and the following are the figures of his size and 
weight: Live weight was 3,360 pounds; the 
forequarters weighed 1,016 pounds; the hind- 
quarters weighed 896 pounds. The dressed 
weight of this ox was 1,912 pounds. 

Mr. John Westcar, of Creslow, Buckingham- 
shire, an eminent grazier, identified himself 
with this breed. He regularly attended the 
Hereford fairs as early as 1779, and the high 
prices at which he sold bullocks in the London 
market doubtless convinced many of their 
adaptability for grazing purposes. We first 
note his selling fifteen oxen on September 17th, 
1798, for a price in English currency equal to 
$4,637.00, an average of $243.00 each. The 
same year he -aided in the organization of the 
Smithfield Cattle and Sheep Society, before 
which at their first meeting he took, with a 
Hereford, the championship for the best ox in 
the show (H 15). 

Mr. George Dood wrote Rev. J. R. Smyth ies 



11 1 S T () i; Y OF H E K E F H D V A T T L E 



25 



that he had been permitted to examine Mr. 
Westcar's books, and made selections as of the 
Ilerefords which he had sold for £100 ($500) 
eacii, and he found between 1T9U and 1811 
twenty oxen sold for £-^,123 ($10,()15), or 
$5:il.OO each, and says that if he had selected 
such as sold for £80 ($400) each, the list would 
have been very largely increased. 

Selecting from his sales from 1799 to 1811, 
cattle that had sold for $500.00 or over, there 
were twentv head that averaged $531.00, and 
the highest'priced ox sold for $737.00— all sell- 
ing to butchers. 

In the year 1812 or 1813 he made a sale of 
fifty oxen at Smithfield for $250.00 each. 
These are the sales of which I find an account, 
though he fed and grazed 200 head or more 
each year, which found a market in London. 

I have selected these two feeders, Westcar 
and t'am])bell, as coming nearer or contempo- 
rary to the Messrs. Torakins' work, than any 
other. These men were graziers as early as 
1799, and were experienced as graziers, feeders 
and sellers. 

William Marshall, contemporary historian of 
Tomkins, Westcar, Campbell period, wrote in 
1788, describing the cattle of the west of Eng- 
land, that the great writer Speed said in lfi27, 
"that the Hereford breed of cattle, taking it 
all in all, may, without risk, I believe, be 
deemed the first breed of cattle in this Island." 
Here we have the fixed data of Speed in the 
V'ear 1627, who was a historian, writing of Eng- 
land, Wales and Scotland. 

Marshall was a native of Yorkshire, and jour- 
neyed all over the country, collecting facts 
illustrative of the various agricultural districts, 
and making inquiries as to the breeds of cattle, 
horses, and sheep, for facts to be used in a 
work published by him, entitled "Rural Econ- 
omy of the West of England." 

Marshall gives a descrijition of the Hereford 
ox, as he found him in 1788, which it is well 
to quote here: "The general appearance, full 
of health and vigor, and wearing the marks of 
sufficient maturity, provincially oxenish, not 
steerish, or still in too growing a state to fat; 
the countenance open, cheerful, pleasant: the 
forehead broad, the eye full and lively; the 
horns bright, tapering and spreading; the head 
small; the neck long and tapering; the chest 
deep; the bosom broad and projecting forward; 
the shoulder bone thin and flat. No protuber- 
ance in bone, but full and mellow in flesh: the 
loins lirnad, the hi]is standing wide and level 
with the s])ine; the quarters long and wide at 
the nache; the rump with the general level of 
the back, not crooping or standing high and 



sharp above the quarters; the tail slender and 
neatly haired; the barrel round and roomy; the 
carcass throughout being deep and well spread; 
the ribs broad and standing close and flat on 
the outer surface, forming a smooth and even 
barrel; the hindmost large and full length, the 
bone small and snug, not prominent; the thigh 
clean and regularly tapering; the leg upright 
and short, the bone below the hough small; the 
cod and twist round and full; the flank large, 
the feet of a middle size; the flesh everywhere 
mellow, soft, and yielding to the touch, espe- 
cially on the chine, the shoulder and the ribs; 
the hide mellow and supple, of a middle thick- 
ness and loose on the nache and buckle; the 
coat neatly haired, bright and silky, its color 
a middle red; with a bald face, the last being 
esteemed characteristic of the true Hereford- 
shire ijreed." 

We submit that this description, written 
over one hundred years ago, will pretty well 
answer for to-day. 




Marshall also says that "At the Hereford fair 
on October 20th, 1788, we saw about a thou- 
sand head of cattle, chiefly of the Hereford 
breed. A large proportion of them were grown 
oxen, full of flesh. The most valuable collection 
I have met with," and then he adds : "Out of 
Smithfield, by much the finest show I have ever 
seen." 

Mr. Fowler, on another page, gives an ac- 
count of Jlr. Westcar's visit to the Hereford 
October Fair with the Duke of Bedford and 
Lord Berners, to which we call attention. 

As stated, Mr. Westcar took an active part 
in the organization of Smithfield Cattle and 
Sheep Society, afterwards changed to the 
"Smithfield Club," an account of which we 
have thought best to adopt, su))plemented by 
items that I find in the "Annals of Agricul- 
ture." (^ 1(5) 



•26 



H 1 S 'I' () 1} ^■ 



II K i; K FO IM) CATTLE 



CHAPTER II. 

Foundation Heeeforu Herds — Continued 



JOHN PEICE. OF EYALL. 



It was impossible to notice the career of Ben- 
jamin Tomkins, the younger, without making 
some reference to his greatest supporter and 
disciple, John Price, (i 17) Thanks to Mr. 
Price's habit of carefully recording his breed- 
ing transactions, and to the industry of his 
friend, Mr. Welles, we know almost exactly the 
character of the cows which he purchased from 
Mr. Tomkins; and his subsequent method of 
breeding is clearly narrated in the Herd Book 
entries, which were drawn up from his cata- 
logues and notes. Mr. Price was scrupulous in 
his attention to pedigrees, and in his case, there 
is no occasion for regret at the absence of de- 
tails. 

John Price, the eminent breeder, was the 
eldest son of Job and Elizabeth Price, who 
occupied a farm at EarFs Croome, in Worces- 
tershire (II 18), where he was born in 177(5. 
The son of an industrious farmer, John Price 
was from an early age engaged in all the oper- 
ations of the farm. Thus employed, he had 
little opportunity for receiving any other than 
a plain village school education. He was 
taught to read, to write, and the use of fig- 
ures. Whatever disadvantage, however, he ex- 
perienced from the want of a more extended 
education was amply compensated by the pos- 
session of great natural abilities — of a mind 
powerful and original in its conceptions and 
conclusions, and as soon as he commenced busi- 
ness on his own account, he let slip no oppor- 
tunity of improving his education by reacting 
and seeking the society of gentlemen of high 
respectability. Early in life he became a fa- 
vorite with the Earl of Coventry. These facts 
are gleaned from an obituary notice that ap- 
peared in the "Farmers' Magazine" in 1845. 
Mrs. Pumfrey, Mr. Price's daughter, in a sub- 
sequent number of the journal, wrote: "All 
is true that you state of his humble birth; 
not that his parents were of mean grade or 
fortuneless; but farmers then lived and 
brought up their sons so differently to those of 
modern times. My father's transcendant and 



natural abilities and genius, however, sur- 
mounted every obstacle to imjn-ovement; by 
nature and habit he became a perfect gentle- 
man, an ornament to any society, and this 
without any assumed polish. Humble and 
courteous even in his most palmy days, he was 
a favorite with all, the kind and assisting 
friend of many, his very faults leaning so much 
lo the side of virtue as to disarm one of blame. 
Not only, as you say, was he an admitted, but 
an honored guest at Croome, for even during 
the visit of royal personages has the late Coun- 
tess of Coventry insisted on my father being 
of their circle. I have known the late Earl 
of Coventry, with his brother.s, to dine at my 
father's house five days of the week; the late 
Earl Plymouth, and many others, too numer- 
ous to name individually, none of whom need 
to blush in association with a man mentally 
superior to most. His fame as a breeder and 
judge of stock will not die for many an age; 
m which respect 1 have often been told since 
and before his death, he had no equal." 

Mr. Price ultimately succeeded his father as 
tenant of Earl's Croome, and he early evinced 
a fondness for the live stock of the farm. The 
cattle he first possessed of any pretensions to 
good breeding were procured from Mr. Walker, 
of Burton. Mr. Welles states that with some 
of these he was induced to try crosses with the 
pure Gloucesters, an old breed famous for their 
milking properties, the improved specimens 
also making good carcasses of meat and pro- 
ducing good steers. An uncle, Mr. Barnes, of 
Corse Court, was in possession of an excellent 
herd of the Gloucester breed, and Mr. Price 
procured a few cows of him. Mr. Welles says 
he remembers a cow bred from one of these by 
a Hereford bull, making, when fed, an ex- 
traordinary animal — weighing upwards of 18 
score per quarter (1,4-10 lbs.). 

It was about the year 1804 that Mr. Price 
became acquainted with the cattle of Mr. B. 
Tomkins, from which he bought a few cows, 
using to them bulls descended from Mr. Walk- 



I S '[' ( ) 1! Y () F II E I? E F U D ( ' A T T L E 



it's stock. Mr. Welles recolloclcd the first bull .-^0 
bred, out of the cow Pigeon, bought from B. 
Tomkius. Rut the cross did not suit and the 
animal was dis])osed of. 

About 1811 Mr. Price gave u}) tiic farm at 
Karl's Croome and bought a small estate at 
Hyall, near Upton-upon-Severn. He also took 
a large field of pasture, a part of Croome de- 
mesne, of about 120 acres, which he held till 
his death. In a few years from this time he 
possessed himself of cows from Mr. B. Tom- 
kins, and his herd began to attract considerable 
notice. Among the purchasers of the stock he 
was able to draft, being many of the nobility, 




T. C. YELD. OF THE BROOME. 



including the Karl of Plymouth, Earl Talbot, 
and the honorable Jlr. Germaine. In 1812 he 
gave a challenge, to be decided at the Lichfield 
Agricultural meeting, to show twenty of his 
cows in milk against twenty Longhorn cows 
for 100 guineas ($500.00). the challenge was 
acce])ted by Mr. Sleek, and w^as decided in Mr. 
Price's favor. About this date he made a large 
speculation in purchasing land. The venture 
was not a success, and the estate had to he sold 
at great loss. A good stock of cattle and sheep 
which Sir. Price had collected also came to the 
hammer, and the ])rices showed that much 
jifdgment had been exercised in their breed- 
ing and selection. 

Mr. Price then carried on his farming opera- 



tions at iiyall, where he continued to reside, 
taking, iiowever, more grass land of excellent 
quality at Jlytton, near Tewkesbury. But pre- 
vious to this he had oljtained more Ilerefords 
of Tomkins blood and [nirchased tlie bull Well- 
ington, and his dam, from Mr. Tomkins. Soon 
after 181(J Mr. Price left Ryall and took up his 
residence at Poole House, near Upton, still 
holding the land of which he had been tenant 
for so many years under Lord Coventry. 

Mr. Price frequently expressed his views on 
tlie subject of breeding. He stated that among 
cattle the Highland Scot approached more 
nearly than any other animal to the standard 
of form, which he considered the true one. 
"This,'' he adds, "determined me in adopting 
tliem as my model. I was desirous of possess- 
ing a breed of cattle on a somewhat larger scale 
than the Scotch Kyloes, yet having the same 
symmetrical loggy forms, with similar coats 
and texture of flesh." In this opinion, Mr. 
Price only repeated that Mr. John Charge had 
heard Bakewell many years before state that 
from the West Highland heifer he thought the 
l)est breed of cattle might be produced. 

In commencing to form a herd wjiich should 
]iossess the form and qualities he thought most 
desired. Price, as has been indicated, fixed 
u])on the stock of Benj. Tomkins, from whom 
he purchased a considerable number of cows 
and heifers and three bulls. These cattle were 
of smaller size than other herds he saw- in 
Herefordshire, but had more of the good jjrop- 
erties of the model he had in view than any 
others he could meet with. As we have seen, 
he first attempted to improve the Tomkins cat- 
tle by crossing them with the larger stock of 
Mr. Walker, with the view to increasing their 
size, but the resiilt was so unfavorable that he 
put away all these crosses and returned to the 
pure Tomkins variety. 

Mr. Price continued to breed Herefords until 
1841, his herd i)eing solely of Tomkins blood; 
so that for upwards of seventy years, at least, 
this strain, first in the possession of B. Tom- 
kins, and then in that of John Price, was bred 
continuously without a fresh cross. 

For a description of the various animals pur- 
chased from Tomkins by Mr. Pi'ice the reader 
is referred to the interesting notes of Mr. 
Welles printed on a preceding page. In refer- 
ence to the statement that Price obtained the 
best animals that Tomkins possessed, Mr. 
Eyton says there was one old cow that must be 
excepted, a remarkably good breeder, which 
Tomkins always refused to sell, although Price 
ofFered him £2.50 ($1,250.00) for her. This re- 
mark suggests the idea of the sums Price paid 



28 



HISTOKY OF HEEEFOED CATTLE 



for the animals he actually bought from the 
great breeder at Wellington Court. Mr. Welles 
expresses the opinion that Mr. Price had only 
one of the Tomkins bulls, the celebrated Well- 
ington (4) IGO. But in addition to that animal 
he owned Voltaire (39a) 429, a white-faced 
bull bred by Tomkins, and an unnamed bull 
of his breeding that appears in some of his ped- 
igrees. Price seems to have followed Tomkins 
not only in his system of in-and-in breeding, 
but also in his disregard of color. It will have 
been noticed that the colors of the cows he ac- 
quired from Tomkins varied greatly. Then 
among the bulls, Wellington was a mottle-face; 
Voltaire a white face, and Victory (33) (Tj 19) 
calved in 1839, bred by Price, was chosen for 
illustration in the first volume of the Herd 
Book as a typical specimen of the grey variety; 




\ M I W KMGHT, ESQ., PRESIDEXT OF 
1\ UiiKTKLLTURAL SOCIETY, BOR.X 17: 
(From an old lithograph.) 



while the portrait of Young Trueboy (32) 630 
(^ 20) is also given in Volume 2 as a specimen 
of the greys, although in the entry of the first 
volume he is stated to have been a mottle face. 
One of the mo.<t remarkable cows owned by 
Mr. Price was Toby Pigeon 308 by Toby (5) 
372, dam Pigeon, or Price's No. 6, 373, bred 
by B. Tomkins. It is stated in the entry of one 
of this cow's produce in Volume 1 of the Herd 
Book, that nearly the whole of Mr. Price's 



herd sold in 1841 were derived from her. At 
19 years of age she had bred 19 calves, luiving 
taken the bull by chance when a calf, and at 
3 and 4 years old she had twins. The following 
is a list of her progeny: Woodcock Pigeon 651, 
by Woodcock (50) 654; bull, Solon (92); bull 
died; Miss Woodman; bull, Young Woodman 
(12) 238; bull, Paris (19) 6657; bull. Plenipo- 
tentiary (23); cow, sold to Mr. Monkhouse; 
bull, Trusty (15) 643; cow; cow died young; 
ditto Burton Pigeon; bull, died; bull, Truebov 
(14) 637; cow, Blue Pigeon 3697; cow. Stock 
Dove; cow, Nonesuch; bull, Washington (35). 

Price frequently challenged admirers of other 
breeds to show their stock against his own, 
this, as we shall have occasion to point out, 
having been a favorite method of settling di.-;- 
puted points as to superiority, prior to the gen- 
eral acceptance of the more satisfactory arbi- 
trament of the show ring. He attended one of 
Lord Althorpes' ram sales in Northamjiton- 
shire, and after the dinner gave a challenge to 
show one of his bulls against any Shorthorn. 
lie succeeded in getting up a sweepstakes of £5 
each, which he won with his bull Lundyfoot 
(16) 3560, which, according to the writer of 
the memoir in the "Farmers' Magazine," was 
allowed to be the eompletest animal any of the 
company ever saw. In 1839 he issued another 
challenge, of which Mr. Haywood, of P>lake- 
nu^re House, has furnished a copy. It is as 
follows: 

"CHALLENGE! ! ! To all breeders of cattle 
in England. Mr. Price, of Poole House (^ 21), 
I^pton-upon-Severn, is willing to show a bull 
and 20 regular breeding in-calf cows, bred by 
himself, for any sum not exceeding £100 nor 
less than £25, to be shown before the last day 
of November next ensuing, against a bull and a 
like number of cows of any sort that have been 
bred by, and are now in the possession of, any 
breeder of cattle in the United Kingdom. The 
Judges to decide on this occasion to be chosen 
by that noble patron of Agriculture and stick- 
ler for fair play. Earl Spencer, and his Lord- 
ship's friend. Sir Francis Lawley, Bart., or 
whom they may appoint. The stock to be 
viewed on the farms of their respective owners, 
and the Judges to be paid by the losing party. 
N. B. — It is a well known fact that this herd 
has lived on worse and less food, owing to the 
dry summer, than any other herd of cattle in 
the county." 

This challenge was not accepted but it led 
to a controversy between Mr. Thos. Bates 
(^ 22), of Kirklevington, the well-known Short- 
horn breeder, and Mr. Price. Mr. Bates, writ- 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



39 



ing in ISIO, said he liad visited Herefordshire 
aliout fifty years previously, and was then, and 
continued still, an admirer of the best variety 
of the Hereford cattle. But he considered then 
and had for about 40 years been convinced, that 
"the very best Shorthorns, which were only a 
few, were capable of improving all other breeds 
of cattle in the United Kingdom, as well as the 
ordinary Shorthorns which were far from a good 
breed, and much inferior to the Herefords, i)ev- 
ons, and others." Mr. Bates added: '"1 have at 
present two red, twin, one-year-old bulls, out 
of the dam of the Duke of Northumberland, 
yon may not think unworthy to be jiut to your 
herd of Herefords for one season, to give ynu 
an opportunity of testing the merits of this 
cross-bred. In my ojiinion they wonld prove 
an invaluable cross with the best Herefords: 
increase the growth of the Herefords, and at 
an earlier age be fit for the butcher, with a less 
consum]ition of food, and quality of beef un- 
impaired, and also give that breed an increased 
milking quality, both in quantity of milk and 
richness, yielding more butter." To this ^Ii-. 
Price replied that he had inspected Lord Spen- 
cer's Shorthorn herd, and had never seen any- 
thing to shake his belief that Hereford cattle 
would pay more money for the food they con- 
sumed than any other breed with which he was 
acquainted. He said he had tried many crosses 
all of which signally had failed, where the ob- 
ject liad been to obtain more size and weight 
by using large male animals with females of 
smaller dimensions. 

Writing to the '"Farmers' Magazine" in 1841, 
Mr. Price gave a descri))tion of his farm and 
the difficulties under which he labored, owing 
to shortness of keep, etc. He said: "The farm 
I have occu]iied since 1829 has not, at any time, 
nnich exceeded l.-)0 acres, 2(1 of which are ara- 
ble, totally unfit for the growth of turnips, and 
nearly 120 acres, part of the Croome Demesne 
(1123), belonging to the Earl of Coventry, in 
one ground and rather below second-rate qual- 
ity of land, greatly covered with ornamental 
timber, and neither buildings nor fold yards on 
mv farm sufficient to hold 20 beasts. Yet, on 
this land I have usually kept 100 head of cattle, 
together with a flock of 150 sheep, 40 of which 
were rams, besides my cart and other horses. 
These are facts well known to the whole of my 
neighbors, who have always given me full credit 
for being the worst keeper of stock in England. 
I have seldom made use of oil cake, and on no 
occasion have T given corn or meal to any of 
mv stock." 

On October ITth and ISth, 181(i, :\rr. Price 
had an extensive sale at Eyall, which was thus 



announced: "The cattle stock are wholly de- 
scended from that of the Justly celebrated one 
of the late Mr. B. Tomkins, of Wellington 
Court, in the county of Hereford, and are too 
well known to need any comment." The prices 
realized at this sale were very large, and the 
event forms such an important landmark in 
the history of the breed, that we give the list 
of jjrices. 




WIG.MOKK GU.A.XGE. HOME OF WILLIA.M GALLIEKS. 
1713-1779. 

The averages for the various classes were as 
follows: 

Average. Total. 

33 cows .$270 $8,fi.50 

13 three-year-old heifers . . . 29.'5 3,S30 

21 two-year-old heifers .... 28.5 .5,995 

10 yearling heifers 180 1,820 

21 "heifer calves 125 3,580 

13 bulls 600 8,595 

(i bull calves 3(;0 3,170 

lUi head averaged $290. $33,640 

The highest-priced females brought respect- 
ively £253, £215, £189, £173, £120 and £110, or, 
in American nionev, $1,360, $1,075, $945, $865, 
$600, and $550 respectively. 

The bulls bringing over $500 each were 
Waxy (3) 655, £341, or $1,705; Wellington (4) 
160, £283 = $1,415; Rvall (45), £262 = 
$1,310; Original (40) 9779, £147 = $735; War- 
rior (44), £136 =$680; Moses (7) 436, £115 = 
$575; Leopold (1) 652, a calf, brought £126 = 
$730. 

We have also a catalogue, with a few ])rices, 
of Mr. Price's sale at Ifytton, T>odge Farm, 
near Tewkesbury, on ilarch 21 and 22, 1820, 
but it is not necessary to reproduce it. A few 
high prices were realized. Mr. Barnes, £109 4s 
($550) for heifer Thalia; Mr. .Jellico gave £127 
Is ($635) for the heifer Vesta. Mr. Price's 



30 



HISTORY OF HEEEFOED CATTLE 



final sale took place at Poole House on Octo- 
ber 15tli, 18-11. Here the cow Toby Pigeon 
was sold in her 22cl year to Sir F. Lawley for 
£14 ($rO). The highest jirice was £166 (f.830) 
for the bull Washington, Lord Talbot being 
the purchaser. Among the cows, Wood Pigeon 
made 150 guineas ($750), going to Mr. Byrd, 
Hampton Court, Hereford. The heifer Tube- 
rose was taken by Lord Talbot at 100 guineas 
($500) and Ceres at £115 ($575), by Sir F. 
Goodricke; Mr. Smith, Martly, gave £100 
($500) for' the bull Tramp; Sir F. Lawley £140 




WILLIAM GALLIERS, WIGMORB GRANGE. 

($700) for Young TrueboVrand £100 ($500) for 
Victory; Mr. Samuel Peploe bought the bull 
Murphy DeLaney for 110 guineas ($550). The 
large.st purchasers were Lord Talbot, Sir P. 
Lawley, Sir F. Goodricke, Captain Walters, Mr. 
S. Peploe, Garnestone, and Eev. J. E. Smytliies, 
Lynch Court. Mr. Evans, Pendeford Hall, 
Stafford, took The Eejected for 110 guineas 
($550). An average for 99 animals was £53 
16s 4d ($270). and the total £5,328 ($26,640). 
Commenting on the results of the sale, Mr. 
Price said: "Altliough the average of my sale 
in 1816 is a little above the average price of 
my last sale in 1841, it will, I think, appear 
evident on taking into account the length of 
time (25 years) that has elapsed between the 



two sales, the great reduction which has taken 
place during that time (and since the sales of 
Messrs. Colling's Shorthorns) in the price of 
first-rate herds of cattle, and also of other herds 
of cattle, together with circumstances too well 
known to both landlords and tenants to need 
any comment from me, that the average of my 
last sale was much the best; thereby placing 
the herd on much higher ground compared 
with all others than they heretofore occupied, 
and I do sincerely hope that the hands these 
animals have fallen into, will take care that 
they keep their present high position. Should 
they not continue to do so, and lose caste, the 
fault will not be in the cattle." 

At the Poole House sale it was resolved to 
]iresent Mr. Price with his piortrait, and a good 
picture was painted by Mr. Frederick Tatliam. 
31 r. Price survived this sale only two years. 

At his three sales of cattle, "in isi3, 1816, 
and 1841, the proceeds amounted to no less 
tlian £16,690 ($83,450). A complete record of 
tlie sale in 1820 does not e.xist, but we should 
imagine that if the amount obtained at it could 
be added it would swell the total to £30,000 
{$1()0.()00). 

In the article on Hereford cattle contributed 
to Jlorton's Cyclopedia of Agriculture, Mr. 
Welles has a few remarks on the character of 
Mr. Price's stock. He said he thought it must 
lie generally admitted that unusual exertions 
had been made through great difficulties by an 
individual of an adjoining county, who had 
been the most zealous and (if higli prices were 
tbe test) the most successful breeder of Here- 
in mis of that day (about 1830-40). And little 
;i< his opinions seemed to be in conformity 
\\ itli those of a large portion of the breeders of 
the county of Hereford, and though his great 
efforts to raise the character of the breed had 
been so little understood and appreciated on its 
native soil, he thought those who calmly and 
dispassionately examined the principles which 
guided him in the pursuit, must be convinced 
that there were many points on which he in- 
sisted as indispensable in the formation of a 
superior animal that could not safely be dis- 
regarded. Listances of failure might be ad- 
duced against him in some of bis practice, but 
these often resulted with the most sagacious 
fi'om the trial of new combinations; and Mr. 
Welles thought it very probable that the rising 
generation of breeders would find that a siipe- 
rior intellect brought to bear so exclusively on 
one subject had not been exercised in vain, and 
that time would dispel many of the prejudices 
existing in certain places against Mr. Price's 
breed. 



HISTORY U F HEREFORD CATTLE 



31 



Mentioning some of tho exceptions that 
might fairly be taken to Mr. rdce's system of 
breeding, lie said one of the most prominent 
was a great disregard of the milking proper- 
ties; and from his late practice of breeding 
from near affinities, this fault might be sup- 
posed to liave been more permanently fixed in 
certain families. That it would not be desir- 
able in a breed such as the Hereford to make 
too manj' sacrifices to the milking quality, he 
thought would be generally allowed; but there 
might be, he was convinced, a sufficient dispo- 
sition to give a fair (luantity of milk and the 



ing devoted to more important qualities; and 
as the famil}' in which these were most concen- 
trated was deficient in horns, he left them un- 
improved, thinking he might in the pursuit of 
a non-essential run the risk of losing a valuable 
property; still Mr. Welles believed the posses- 
sion of good horns to be quite compatible with 
every other valuable requisite, and it was cer- 
tainly a considerable advantage to the appear- 
ance of the animal. 

These observations prove that a jn-ejudice 
had arisen in the county against Price's cattle, 
which, on the evidence of even a favorable wit- 




cow be equally good for any purpose required 
of her. 

There were, however, many cows that from 
want of ])roper care of the udder after calving, 
and during the time that the grass was lux- 
uriant, were rendered more or less incapable of 
a supply of milk afterwards, and he thought 
much inattention on that head was often the 
ca.«e in the stock he alluded to. Another ob- 
jection that might be raised against ilr. Price's 
stock was the shortness and rather mean ap- 
pearance of the horns, in many of liis cows, 
not characteristic of Herefords in general, 
which had mainly risen from his attention Ije- 



ness like Mr. Welles, was not without some 
justification. But the variety was very far, in- 
deed, from being even at the close of Mr. 
Price's career, without substantial merit. As 
to the late appearance of Mr. Price's herd, we 
have the following interesting communication 
from Mr. George Smythies; "I had no intimate 
acquaintance with the Hereford herd of Mr. 
Price. I never saw it until after he had given 
up farming; when I knew the herd it was kept 
in Lord Coventry's park the greater part of 
the year and for a short time, in winter and 
spring, the cattle w-ere tacked out in straw 
yards with anybody wlio would keep tliem. I 



33 



HISTORY OF HERjiFORD C ATT LP: 



once saw the best lot of 14 two-year-old heifers 
I ever looked at in a yard where they got noth- 
ing but stubble — that is, the straw that re- 
mained after hand-reaping of wheat, only there 
was a little clover in it, the field it came from 
having been sowed with seeds. During the last 
few years tliat Mr. Price kept his Herefords 
he changed their forms a good deal. The Tom- 
kins breed, which I believe he used exclu- 
sively, were very wide over their hips and nar- 
row on their shoulders. This he altered, get- 
ting his cows much wider on the chine with less 
gaudy hips. These characteristics were partic- 
ularly exemplified in Dove, bought by my father 
at the sale in 1841 for 77 guineas ($385), and 
by Tuberose, sold to Lord Talbot for 100 
guineas ($.500). Mr. Price's cattle were some 
of them red with white faces, some a beautiful 




WIG.MORE GRANGE, SEAT OF THE GALLIERS FAM- 
ILY. (REAR VIEW.) 

roan, as was Dove (Dove was a smoky roan, dif- 
fering from the roans as bred by Tully), others 
being white-backed with mottle faces. The 
bulls were brought iip differently to what they 
are now, running, in almost wild state, with the 
cows, until they were fit for service, when most 
of them were let and kept from home as much 
as possible, Mr. Price having but little accom- 
modations for them. Consequently they had a 
mean appearance as compared with the cows, 
which were magnificent animals." 

Cobbitt. in his "Rural Rides" (1830), writes 
from Tewkeslniry: "I am here among the finest 
cattle and the finest sheep of the Leicester kind 
that I ever saw. My host, Mr. Price, is famed 
as a breeder of cattle and sheep. The cattle 
are of the Hereford kind, and the sheep sur- 
passing any animals of the kind that I ever saw. 
The animals seem to be niade for the soil and 
the soil for them. The sheep are chiefly of the 
Leicester breed, and the cattle of Hereford, 



white face and dark body, certainly the finest 
and most beautiful of all horn cattle." 

The Earl of Coventry (^ 24) says: "The 
fame of John Price's Herefords still lives in 
this neighborhood, and there are yet living peo- 
ple who speak of the noble herd with admira- 
tion, and describe them as being possessed of 
great scale and extraordinary constitution. 
They were accustomed to range the pastures 
summer and winter, and were almost always to 
be seen in the well-known 'Cubsmoor,' a large 
grass field of great repute among graziers. John 
Price had a bull which weighed 29 cwt.* (3,248 
lbs.), and a bull calf 9 cwt. (1,008 lbs.) at nine 
months old" (<| 25). 

In the appendix to Vol. 1 of the Herd Book, 
a list is given of the principal breeders of the 
Tomkins and Price stock, from whom pedigrees 
had been received by Mr. Eyton. They were 
the Earl of Talbot, Ingestre; Sir F. Lawley, 
Bart.; Sir F. Goodricke, Studley Castle; Mr. 
G. Brake, The Manor Farm, East Tytherly; 
Mr. Shepherd, Eastwood House; Mr. Thos. 
Juckes, Tern Farm; Mr. N. Smith, Martly; Mr. 
Pratt, New Field; Mr. Gravenor, Wellington; 
the Rev. W. P. Hopton, Bishops Froome; Mr. 
J. Smith, Shellesley; Mr. T. P. Wight, Ted- 
stone Park. Only a few of these were resident 
in the County of Hereford, and of course there 
are others who ought to have been included in 
the list — notably Mr. Smythies, Mr. Welles, and 
others. 

Lord Talbot, as we have seen, was a liberal 
purchaser at the Tomkins' and Price's sales. 
There has been considerable uncertainty as to 
the reason why he gave up his herd. Mr. 
George Smythies, Marlow Lodge (son of the 
Rev. J. R. Smythies, Lynch Court), informs us 
that he was once at Ingestre about 1840, 
and naturally has not a very clear idea 
now of what he saw there, but he remembers 
he thought the land did not suit the Herefords. 
We are able to give in Lord Talbot's own 
words the explanation of the dispersion of the 
Ingestre herd, which quite confirms Mr. 
Smythies' impression. In a letter to Mr. Geo. 
Tomkins, Eccles Green, Norton Pyon, dated 
March 4, 1847, Lord Talbot fully "states his 
reason for disposing of his herd, and as the 
communication has other interest, as showing 
the friendship existing between these two 
breeders, we print an extract from it: 

"Dear George,'' wrote Lord Talbot, "Events 
of a very painful nature have occurred which 
have prevented our meeting, as we formerly 
did, in friendship and good fellowship. The 



' Note: The English cwt. is 112 lbs. 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD C A T T E E 



33 



remembrance of past times of this nature can- 
not l)ut be most gratifying to me, and I feel 
not otherwise to you. * * * What you 
will not ))erhaps e.\i)ect, I have to inform you, 
that 1 have resolved to give up being a breeder 
of Herefordshire cattle; not, be assured, from 
any want of partiality to the breed, but simply 
tiiat 1 find my land, having been now more or 
less attended to. and constantly depastured, is 
liecoming too ricji for a breeding stock. Acci- 
dents have been so fretpient with slipping calf 
— with the apoplexy, wliich over condition is 
sure to ])roduce, and other causes of disap- 
pointment that, however painful the struggle, 
I have fac'cd it and have advertised my breed- 
ing stock for unreserved sale. The die being 
cast, what is to be done in the future? I wish 
to feed Hereford oxen largely, which intention 
is perhaps fortified by the facility I have of 
sending up to Smithfield. The want of market, 
which formerly ])revented my feeding these ex- 
cellent cattle to the extent I wished, is now 
removed, and therefore I return with eagerness 
to the project of feeding instead of breeding 
Hcrefords." Lord Talbot proceeded to ask Mr. 
Tomkins' co-operation in obtaining suitable 
cattle for feeding, and concluded by inviting 
him to his sale, which took place on October 
24th, 1838. 

In addition to animals bred by Mr. Tomkins 
and Jlr. Price, or descending from their herds, 
the sale included specimens from the herds of 
the Misses Tomkins, and Mr. George Tomkins. 
We have not a list of the prices, which, how- 
ever, were not extraordinary; but the influence 
of the Ingestre stock still exists. Lord Talbot 
seems to have again collected a few pedigreed 
Herefords, as we find him purchasing at Mr. 
Price's sale in ISfl. 

Sir F. Lawley, as we have seen, also secured 
many of the Tomkins and Price cattle, and Mr. 
Duckham tells us that he has heard from old 
breeders that he bad a very grand herd of heavy 
fleshed mottle faces. Ho had a sale in 1830 
of which Mr. George Smythies gives us the 
catalogue. Mr. Smythies attended the sale, 
when several of the lots were purchased by his 
father, and described as having been very good 
animals. Mr. Smythies also supplies us with 
a priced catalogue of the sale of Sir F. Lawley's 
herd, which took place after his death. The 
prices were verv low, the best being only 28 
guineas ($140). ' 

Lord Plymouth. Ivirl St. Germaines, and otli- 
ers, had at one time very good herds of this 



variety, but they had long since been dispersed 
and few traces of them now remain. In his 
Cirencester lecture ilr. Ihickhani mentions that 
in 18();i j\lr. Smith, ShellesU-y, sent some well- 
fleshed animals of the mottle-faced sort to the 
Worcester show, but they were not successful. 
The last he says he remembers to have seen a 
winner was the heifer Superb 1824, exhibited 
by the Earl of Radnor at Salisbury, and then 
purchased for the royal herd, where she was put 




WILLIAM GALLIERS. JR.. OF KING'S-PYON. 1744-1832. 

to the red with white face bull Brecon (918) 
1810, and produced the heavy-fleshed bull Max- 
imus (1650) 1817 (jj 2(5), winner of the first 
prize at the Warwick and Battersea meetings 
of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. 
The marks on his face showed the tran^sition 
from the mottle face to red with white face be- 
ing larger than those with mottle face and 
fewer in number. Mr. Smith used many 
of Mr. Price's best bulls. In 1856 he 
received a letter stating that H. R. H. 
Prince Albert had been graciously pleased to 
])atronize the Hereford breed and an appoint- 
ment was asked by the representative of H. R. 
H. in order that Mr. Smith's celebrated herd 
might be inspected. Mr. Duckham also men- 
tions Sir F. Goodricke, Captain Rayer, Captain 
I'eploe, Mr. Drake, and Mr. Jellicoe as having 
been breeders of this variety. 



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HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



35 



CHAPTER III. 

Foundation Hereford Herds — Continued 



HEWER HEREFORDS. 



(f 27) Indebted as we are and as all writers 
on Hereford history must be to Messrs. James 
Macdouald and James Sinclair for the concen- 
tration of facts compiled by them in their 
"History of Hereford Cattle" (188(3), we can- 
not do better than, with this acknowledgment, 
quote them in this chapter almost exclusively. 

The student of the Herd Book will find that 
nearly every valuable strain of the Herefords 
at the present day is full of Hewer blood. The 
influence of the Ilewer cattle has, indeed, been 
remarkable. It is not merely that a few fami- 
lies that have become exceedingly valuable are 
of this line of descent, but that the modern 
character of the entire breed has to a large 
extent been determined by this variety, not 
alone as regards color markings, on which the 
Hewer impress has been very powerful, but on 
the more essential matters of shape and quality. 
This being the case, it is needless to say that 
a most im]iortant section of Hereford history 
is that relating to the proceedings of the Hew- 
ers. Here again, however, reliable information 
is not over plentiful. 

It may be explained that the original idea of 
the founder of the Herd Book was to confine 
it to a record of the Tomkins-Price stock; but 
this manifestly would not have been a Herd 
Book of Hereford cattle, and the plan was so 
changed tliat all the varieties should be admit- 
ted. A Hereford Herd Book without the rec- 
ords of the Hewer cattle would certainly have 
been a curious production, comparable only to 
the performance of the play of "Hamlet" with 
the leading character omitted. This was evi- 
dently appreciated by Mr. Eyton. and so in 
Vol. 1, on, bulls bred by William and .lohn 
Hewer were entered; but Mr. Eyton was either 
unable to collect much information about the 
Hewer family and their herds, or he did not 
greatly trouble himself about the subject. All 
that he has to say regarding them is that Mr. 
John Hewer informed hijn "thfit the breed he 



now possesses has been in his family for many 
years. A great number of the principal breed- 
ers have had bulls from him. He at present 
jDossesses more bulls, most of which are let, than 
any other breeder in the county." Then if the 
pedigrees are closely examined, it will be found 
that so far as they are registered the Hewer cat- 
tle trace back to a bull called Silver (5-10) 358, 
as to whom the only facts vouchsafed are, that 
he was white-faced, was calved in 179 7, and 
was bred by Air. William Hewer, of Hardwick. 

Obviously there was not within the covers 
of the Herd Book an adequate accoimt of the 
Hewers and their cattle, nor had former writers 
on Herefords added any trustworthy informa- 
tion to these scanty details. An effort was there- 
fore made to find whether all the records had 
perished, and if it were really impossible to get 
some light thrown on this branch of the his- 
tory of the breed. Although Mr. John L. 
Hewer, Aston Ingham, Ross, has most cordially 
seconded our efforts, we regret that owing to 
papers having been mislaid and to the habit of 
the old breeders to look upon the sources and 
management of their herds as trade secrets, 
which mu.st on no account be disclosed, we have 
not succeeded quite so well as could have been 
wished.' Still, it is possible to remove much 
of the uncertainty and misapprehension in 
which the subject has been enveloped. The 
account of the Hewer family that follows is 
chiefly taken from communications furnished 
by Mr. John L. Hewer. 

William Hewer, the father of John Hewer, 
was a native of Gloucestershire, being one of 
the Hewers of Northleach and was descended 
from William Hewer, so frequently mentioned 
in Pepy's Diary. He was born in 1757 and 
married a Monmouthshire lady — Miss Hughs, 
of Court Morgan, near Abergavenny, about the 
year 1787. In order to be near his wife's fam- 
ily, he went to live at the great Hardwick and 
Dobson's farms, remaining there for 38 years, 



36 



HISTORY OF HEEEFOED CATTLE 



and then took a farm at Llanlellen, about a 
mile from Hardwick. About the year 1825 
there was a kind of panic amongst the banks, 
and one in which he had a large sum of money 
invested failed. William Hewer was so over- 
come by the disaster that, with his eldest son, 
William, he left the country for America, but 
he lived only about six months after he ar- 
rived, being quite heart-broken. He died in 
New York in November, 1825, and was interred 
at the cemetery of St. Mark's churchyard, Bow- 
ery, New York, on December 2d, being at the 
time of his decease 68 years of age. 

John Hewer (jj 28) was born on March 12th, 
1787. and died September 28th, 1875. His son, 
Mr. John L. Hewer (1[ 28 A and E), never 
heard him say positively whether he was born 
at Kilkenny Farm, near Northleach, where his 
father resided before going to Monmouthshire, 
or at the Great Hardwick, Abergavenny. John 
Hewer, Sr., assisted his father at the Hardwick, 
and it was then he formed the idea of having 
the Herefords of uniform color and markings. 
During that time he had a few cattle of his 
own, and had the benefit of his father's expe- 
rience. The statement that John Hewer went 
to his relatives in Gloucestershire in 1805 and 
remained with them for several years, is, we are 
assured, incorrect. He never left home, except 
on a visit, until about the year 1817, when he 
went to Purslow Hall, in Shropshire. Here he 
continued for several years. On his departure 
for America William Hewer left his wife and 
the younger portion of his family in England. 
They took a farm called The Grove, in ilon- 
mouthshire, and John Hewer managed it for 
his mother, and did very well until some mis- 
understanding took place between him and 
other members of the family; after which he 
went into Herefordshire, living first at Hill 
House, Aston Ingham. He subsequently pro- 
ceeded, to Moor Hduse, about a mile from Here- 
ford, and from that place to Brandon Cottage, 
where he had some land. In 1835 he occupied 
Hampton Lodge (H 29), near Hereford, and Lit- 
ley Farm. He gave up the latter holding in 
1839, the date of his first great sale. He was 
at Hampton Lodge until 18-16; then at Lower 
Wilcroft, where he continued for two years. He 
was for two years at Palmer's Court, Holmer 
(If 30), whence, in 1850, he went to Vern 
House, Marden, where he settled down, having 
purchased it in 1855. He resided at Vern 
House (H 31) until 1875, wlien he sold it to Mr. 
H. Burr, of Aldermarston, and took Paradise 
Villa (H 32), Marden, where he died in the 
same year and was buried in the Holmer 
churchyard {^ 33). 



These are the salient biographical facts as 
to the two Hewers. AVe were naturally very 
anxious to ascertain, if possible, where William 
Hewer originally procured his Hereford cattle, 
he being a native of Gloucestershire, living in 
^lonmouthshire, and never having resided in 
the county of Hereford. Mr. John L. Hewer 
says he cannot tell us where his grandfather 
obtained his .stock, but he always understood 
from his father that his great-grandfather had 
a herd of Herefords and that William inherited 
tlieni. Certain it is, says Mr. J. L. Hewer, he 
was a successful exhibitor at the Bath and West 
of England shows before the close of the eight- 
eenth century. Mr. Thos. F. Plowman, Sec- 
retary of the Bath and West of England Soci- 
ety, has kindly searched the old records of that 
Society, and informs us that it was not until 




MR. HENRY HAYWOOD, 1819-1902, WHOSE FAMILY 
BRED HEREFORDS FOR CENTURIES. 

1794 that cattle were exhibited at its shows as 
stock, not as beasts of draught or burden, and 
no mention occurs of Herefords until 1799, 
when £5 5s ($26.25) was awarded to Mr. W. 
Smith for the best Hereford heifer. Mr. Plow- 
man adds that he finds no further allusion to 
the breed until 1810, when £10 10s ($53.50) 
was awarded to Mr. Kemp for a fat cow of the 
Hereford breed. Any of the Hewer Herefords 
exhibited at the earlier meetings of the Bath 
and West of England Society must therefore 
have beeji draught oxen. In another letter, 



IIISTOltY OF HEHEFOKD CATTLE 



37 



Mr. J. L. Ilewer says, in reference to the char- 
acter of his fatlier's and grandfather's cattle, 
that lie believes that they were principally red, 
with white faces, and from what he has heard 
his father say, they must have been in posses- 
sion of the family tor some generations, as sev- 
eral of their relatives in (iloucestershire had 
the red with while faces before the nineteenth 
century came in. He has also heard Mr. John 
Hewer sav that his father traced his best cattle 
back to tile bull, called Silver (5-10) 358, calved 




HEREFORD ox AT SEVEN YEARS. CHAMPION AT 
S.MITHFIELD, 1799; BRED BY MR. TULLY. 

in 1797, which impressed them with the red 
with white face character, and also with that 
massive, heavy flesh and full eye which distin- 
guished all his late father's stock. 

It is of course not improbalile that the Hewer 
family in Gloucestershire had, during the last 
century, obtained from the best breeders in the 
county of Hereford some good specimens of the 
breed, of the old red with white face varietv. 
Mr. ilarshall has told us that the Gloucester- 
shire graziers got tlieir oxen from Hereford- 
shire, and it is not likely that the transfer of 
cattle from the latter county would be con- 
fined to oxen. The Gloucestershire farmers 
woidd doubtless have secured a few of the cows 
that produced such excellent bullocks, and it 
may be assumed the Hewers were among those 
who did so. Besides, it is evident that tlie 
Herefords had penetrated, by the time of Will- 
iam Hewer's settlement there, into the county 
of Ifonmouth. There is nothing very definite 
in these theories as to the origin of the Hewer 
lierds and hope of ])eing able to discover a 
more precise explanation had almost been 
abandoned, when aid was received from an nn- 
exjiected quarter. Going tbrongh the notes on 
herds contained in the a]ipendix to the first 
volume of the Herd I'ook we came across a 
statement in the notice of the stock of ^fr. Yar- 
worth, Xew House, Brinsoii, to the effect that 



in 1814 he sold to Mr. Hewer a bull calf by 
Trojan (192) 378, while at his sale at New 
House in 1820, the one-year-old bull Alpha, by 
Trojan, dam Ked Kose, was purchased by Mr. 
Hewer, Northleach. The bull calf sold in 181-1 
went to Mr. W. Hewer, Great Hardwick, but 
that transaction having occurred a good many 
years after he had removed to Monmouthshire, 
the fact did not lielp to an explanation as to the 
original fouiidatiwi of William Hewer's herd. 
But connected with this sale of a bull in 1814 
is an incident that brought some welcome guid- 
ance. (Tl 34.) 

Hi the year 1821 there was a furious newspa- 
Ijereontroversy between Mr. William Hewer and 
Jlr. Yarworth. It is a matter of regret to have 
to refer to this unfortunate affair, but it is 
desirable to explain the origin of the misunder- 
standing. It appears that Mr. Y^arworth, be- 
fore going to Brinsop, occupied the farm of 
Troj', near Monmouth. On leaving this farm 
in 1814 he had a sale described as of valuable 
HiTefordshire cattle. William Hewer attended 
the sale and purchased stock to the amount of 
i'l i:> ($725.00). In 1821 Hewer and Y^arworth, 
jirobably as the result of show-yard rivalries, 
quarreled, and Y^arworth then "wrote to the 
(iloucester Journal (Feb. 4th, 1822) a letter ad- 
dressed to Mr. W. Hewer, Llanlellen, near Aber- 
gavenny, in which he referred to the cause of 
the misunderstanding between them, and, as 
was the custom in those days, challenged him 
for 100 guineas ($500) to show 20, 15, or 10 of 
his heifers above three years old, of his own 
(Hewer's) breeding, and then in his own pos- 
session, against the same number the property 
of Mr. White, Upleadon, which were descended 
from Y'arworth's bull Trojan. Y'arworth then 
]iroceeded to write to William Hewer as follows: 
"I beg to inform you for the first time how the 
yearling bull, bull calf, etc., which you pur- 
chased at my sale at Troy in the year 1814 were 
bred, and from wdiich bulls your stock since 
tliat time is descended. The bull calf was got 
liy Trojan; his dam (which vou bought) was 
got by the late Mr. William Smith's old bull; 
his grandam by a bull bought of Mr. Tully of 
the Haywood; his great-grandam by a bull 
bought of Mr. Howells of Hadrock, near 
Monmouth; his great-great-grandam by a 
cross-bred bull of little value, out" of 
an old brindled Gloucestershire dairy cow, 
which was purchased by my father (she being 
an excellent milker) of my predecessor, Mr. 
Dew of Troy Farm, in the" year 1797 for £8. 
The yearling bull was got by Trojan out of the 
grandam of the bull calf." Mr. Yarworth ex- 
]iressed surprise that Mr. Hewer had not asked 



38 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



for Information as to the breeding of the stock 
at the time of the sale, and said: "Although 
they were only culls I then sold, I assure you 
there were only four of them but were well 
bred; three out of the four you made choice of 
— namely, the yearling bull, the cow, and her 
bull calf." Mr. Yarworth advised Mr. Hewer 
to part with his stock descended from the old 
brindled cow. He added: "When Mr. Bluck 
asked how your bull was bred, you answered 
that he was got by your old bull, which you 
bought of old Tomkins, and that you had let 
him that season to two gentlemen in Brecon- 
shire for 100 guineas ($500), but I am sorry 
you forgot it was the bull you bought at my 
sale in 1814, then a calf. The two heifers you 
sold at Tredegar your son said were out of the 
two old cows you bought of old Tomkins. Now 
in a letter I received from Miss Tomkins, of 
the Pyon, dated the 13th inst., she assures me 
that you never bought any stock of her, and 
her sisters, or to her knowledge of her father." 
In reply to this attack on the character of 
his stock, William Hewer wrote a long letter, 
in the course of which he said: "Mr. Yar- 
worth's bills of sale were headed thus: 'Par- 
ticulars of the valuable Herefordshire cattle, the 
property of Mr. Jas. Yarworth, of Troy Farm, 
near Monmouth.' Mr. Yarworth, in reference 
to my purchasing a bull calf at such sale, ob- 
serves that it was a most strange and unac- 
countable thing I did not inquire about the 
breed, and whether I did so or not I cannot 
charge my memory at this distance of time, but 
it is a matter of no importance to me, as I had 
stock far superior to any Mr. Yarworth pos- 
sessed; and I added to them five cows and 
heifers by a purchase I had made of Messrs. 
Tully, of Huntington, previous to Mr. Yar- 
worth's sale in Troy. And as to my old bull 
being the calf I purchased at Troy sale, it is 
sufficient, in contradiction, to state one fact, 
viz., my old bull was calved at least a year be- 
fore Mr. Yarworth's came into existence. I 
deny having stated to Mr. Bluck that I ever 
purchased any stock of Tomkins, though I can 
prove I have descendants from some of Tom- 
kins' prime cattle. . . .His (Mr. Yarworth's) ad- 
' vice to get rid of my stock descended from his 
brindled cow comes too late by many years, as 
I have none of them left." Mr. Hewer further 
expressed the opinion that Mr. Yarworth's stock 
sold at Troy were, as he himself had publicly 
described them, pure-bred Herefords, and that 
the story as to the brindled cow was an inven- 
tion. 

So out of tliis very unfortunate squabble two 
most important facts are gleaned — that Wil- 



liam Hewer had at a very early period in his 
career obtained five cows and heifers from 
Tully, of Huntington, and that he had in his 
herd descendants from "some of Tomkins' 
prime cattle." That of course is not a full ex- 
planation of the foundation of the Hewer stock, 
but it shows some of its principal ingredients, 
and clearly proves its descent in part, at least, 
from the herds of Tomkins and Tully. It is 
thus apparent, as had always been supposed, 
although until the discovery of these docu- 
ments we had no means of verifying the im- 
pression, that the Hewer cattle were not a new 
or mysterious element imported into the breed, 
but mainly the result of a most skillful com- 
pounding of the old strains. 

In the Herd Book there are six bulls en- 
tered as having been bred by Mr. William 
Hewer, as follows: 

Silver (540) 358 of whom all the information 
given is, as we have said, that he was red with 
white face, and calved in 1707; Old Wellington 
(507) 290 also red with white face, calved in 













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DOWNTON CASTLE IN 1775, SEAT OF T. A. KNIGHT. 
(From a water-color drawing. ) 

1801, by Silver (540) 358, dam Primrose, bred 
by William Hewer; Young Wellington (505) 
294, red with white face, calved in 1812, by 
Old Wellington (507) 290, dam Silky 362 by 
Waxy (403)' 356. grandam Silk 404 bv Silver 
(540) 358; Old Favorite (442) 292, calved in 
1819, by Young Wellington (505) 294, da^n 



HISTOKY OF HEBE FOE D CATTLE 



39 



Cliurry 360 by Wellington {'i>K ) •,'!)(!, grandani 
Old Cherry 402 by Waxy (403) 356: AVaxy 
(403) 356, calved in 1811, by Wellington (507) 
290, dam Strawberry; Alpha the Second (45?) 
528, calved in 1814, by Young Wellington (505) 
294, dam Silk 529, by Young Wellington (505) 
294, grandam Silky "362, by Waxy (403) 356, 
great-graudani Silk 404 by Silver "(540) 358. 

No doubt some of these pedigrees which we 
have copied from the Herd Book are erroneous, 
and mistakes have also crejit into the entries 




MR. JOHN PRICE. 1776-1845. 
(From an old lithograph.) 

of several of Mr. John Hewer's cattle, arising 
partly from the evident desire of father and 
son to acknowledge no connection between their 
herd.s and other stocks. 

Both William and John Hewer were fond 
of giving animals the same name and not dis- 
tingni.^hing them by numbers, but merely stat- 
ing that they were old and young — an exceed- 
ingly confusing system of nomenclature. Mis- 
takes of identity therefore occurred, particularly 
in the pre-Herd Book days, when records were 
not carefully kept. There is little doubt, how- 
ever, that both father and son carried out a sys- 
tem of close breeding. 

In several of Mr. John Hewer's catalogues 
the following note is made: "It may not be 
unworthy of remark that the celebrated and 
justlv admired bull Old Sovereign (404) 221, 
(1[35), the sire of Cotmore (370) 150. the win- 



ner of the lirst premium for llerefords at the 
lirst meeting of the English Royal Agricultural 
Society, held at Oxford, July" l?th, 1839, as 
well as the sire of Wormlow, the property of 
Sir H. Hoskins, Bart., Harewood and many 
others of equal merit, was bred by Mr. Hewer; 
his sire Favorite, grandsire Wellington, great- 
grandsire Old Wellington, dam Countess by 
Wellington, grandam Cherry by Waxy, great- 
grandam Old Cherry. Much has been said and 
written by most of the eminent breeders in the 
Kingdom against the practice of breeding in- 
and-in, as they termed it; but by referring to 
the above pedigree it will be seen that Old Sov- 
ereign was the offspring of an own brother and 
sister and acknowledged by the first judges the 
best bull ever bred in the county of Hereford, 
and the sire and grandsire of more prize cattle 
at Smithfield and elsewhere than any bull in 
the Kingdom. Old Sovereign was used by the 
following distinguished breeders, and died in 
his fifteenth year, viz., Robert Tench, Brom- 
field, Salop, three years; Lord Sherborne, Glou- 
cestershire; Earl Ducie, ditto; Thomas Wells, 
Hamnet, ditto; Richard Kilmister, The Grove, 
ditto; Messrs. Hewer, Xorthleaeh, ditto; Sir H. 
Hoskins, Bart., Harewood; Thos. Jeffries, The 
Grove; Thos. Jeffries, Jr., Cotmore, ditto; Ed- 
mund Jeffries, The Grove; Richard Y^eomans, 
Howton; John Turner, Noke; Messrs. Rogers, 
Sternsbach, and by the breeder." The other 
bulls bred by the Hewers were also let out in 
many of the leading herds, and their influence 
was thus widespread. 

Particulars we have obtained as to weights 
and measurements on some of William Hewer's 
cattle will be interesting: 

Weight of the bull Wellington (507) 290, 1 
ton, 6 cwt. (2,912 lbs.) in the year 1815. The 
weight of the cow Silk 529, I'ton, in the year 
1820. Dimensions of the fat steer — length 
from the nose to the settings of the tail, 11 
feet, 1 inch; girth, 8 feet and 10 inches; across 
the hips, 3 feet, 1 inch; weight, 1 ton and 6 
cwt. (2,912 lbs.). The document from which 
these details are taken is dated April, 1822. 

Another paper gives the dimensions of the 
bull Wellington, as follows: Length from the 
setting on of the tail to the end of the nose, 11 
feet, 4 inches; girth, 11 feet, 3 inches; across 
the hips, 3 feet, 2 inches; length from the tail 
to the hip bone, 3 feet and 2 inches. The di- 
mensions of the bull Alpha are thus given: 
Length from the setting on of the tail to the 
end of the no.<e, 10 feet and 11 inches; length 
from the tail to the hip bone, 2 feet and 9 
inches: across the hips, 2 feet and 9 inches; 
girth, 9 feet and eight inches. 



40 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



William Hewer eondxicted his operations as 
a breeder under serious ditftculties, arising from 
the nature of the land he farmed. He himself 
says, "Notwithstanding the disadvantages inci- 
dental to half mountain land, and a sharp, 
gravelly soil, yielding almost sapless herbage, 
which I have encountered, I have frequently 
successfully ojijiosed at various shows some of 
the first Herefordshire breeders." 

John Hewer had, as we have seen, assisted his 
father at the Hardwick. He had then a few 
cattle of his own. and had the benefit of his 
fathers advice in their management. It has 
already been mentioned that early in the pres- 
ent century. Jolm Hewer went to Purslow in 
Shropshire. The gentleman who owned the 
Purslow estate, Mr. Browning, bought a num- 
ber of cattle from William Hewer. He also ob- 
tained his consent to John Hewer going to 
manage the estate and cattle. There is some 
uncertainty as to the date when John Hewer 
removed to Purslow, Mr. John L. Hewer men- 
tioning 1817, while others say it was a few 
years later. Mr. George Smythies says: "I 
learned that the whole herd of Mr. Hewer, The 
Hardwick, near Abergavenny, was bought by 
Mr. Browning, who had purchased the farm 
of Purslow, near Cravens Arms, Shropshire, 
and were taken there by Mr. John Hewer, who 
remained as manager of the cattle till the end 
of the year 1823, or the early part of 1823. 
Among the bulls taken to Purslow were the 
famous Wellington, Favorite, and Old Sov- 
ereign. This last bull was purchased by Mr. 
Tench, of Bromfield, Shropshire, and was given 
by him to his son-in-law, Mr. Edmund Jeffries, 
and was the founder of his good herd. In 1824 
Mr. Browning was obliged to sell his stock and 
let the farm, the tenant taking the cattle. Tliey 
were subsequently sold, and Mr. John Hewer 
bought some of them." 

The more probable date of John Hewer's 
removal to Shro])shire is, we think, 1817, a 
view of which is confirmed by the fact that 
Sovereign was calved at Purslow, in 1820. The 
change to Shropshire, it will thus be observed, 
did not cause an interruption of his connection 
with his father's cattle. 

It was John Hewer who was responsible for 
the direction of Mr. Browning's herd, and it 
is not surprising to learn that it became the 
talk of the country, people going for miles to 
see it. Mr. Lloyd Roberts. Crofton Manor, was 
introduced to Mr. Hewer at this time and he 
says he never saw a grander lot of cattle in his 
life than those he brought to Purslow. ■ It was 
also when he was at Purslow that the late Mr. 
Bowen, Crofton, became acquainted with Mr. 



Hewer, and he used bvills of Hewer blood for 
about 40 years. 

When Mr. Hewer returned to Monmouth, it 
would appear that he took with him a number 
of the Herefords of his fathers strains that 
had sojourned for a time in Shropshire. It is 
a very important fact that John Hewer never 
lost his control over the stock, in the breeding of 
which he had been closely associated with his 
father. In the words of Mr. John L. Hewer: 
"It was left to my late father (John Hewer) 
to finish what his father had begun, to produce 
a race of cattle which were beautiful to look at 
and good rent-paying animals of great scale 
and splendid quality, and he bred and let more 
bulls than any other man. There is not a sin- 
gle herd of Herefords in existence but what 
traces back to his stock. 

'"He was a great stickler for scale with qual- 
ity, and some of the older bulls were immense 
animals, often weighing from 25 to over 3U cwt. 
(2,800 to 3,360 American lbs.). The General 
(1251) 1677 was 32^ cwt. (3,640 lbs.) when 
six years old. He was let for four seasons run- 
ning for the sum of £84 ($420) per season. Gov- 
ernor (464) 87, the sire of General, was let for 
£100 ($500) per season, and I have heard my 
father say he let Favorite (442) 292 for £200 




RVALL COURT. WORCESTERSHIRE, HOME OF JOHN 
PRICE. 

($1,000) per season, and Defiance (416) 217 for 
£200 ($1,000). I have known liim have 55 
bulls let out at one time about the country; and 
he used to let bulls to go into Scotland. He 
occasionally sold bulls at long prices to go 
abroad as far back as 1835, and one Hampton 
(513) was sold for £500 ($3,500). He also .sent 
a lot of cattle to Australia in the year 1840, 
and he saw afterwards in an Australian paper 
shown him bv a friend, that one of his bulls 
was sold out there for 1,000 guineas ($5,000)." 



HISTORY OF HEKEFOKD CATTLE 



■11 



About this tiiuu his friciul, Wia. 11^ Sotham, 
bougiit several animals i'ur export to Ainuriea. 

"My father had what he called his four favor- 
ite straius — L'ounless, Lofty, Ked Hose, and 
Fauiiy, and those are the ones from which his 
cattle are principally descended. Ked Eose 
393 (^ 35 A), by Chance (355) 28i), from Kose- 
bud :iS8, was his favorite cow. He kept her 
until she was twenly-three years of age, and 1 
believe she bred him twenty calves. She had 
twins when she was seventeen years old — a bull 
and a heifer — by Governor (4(i4) 87. The bull 




VICTORY (33), BRED BY J. PRICE, CALVED 1839. 

Grateful (12t)0) 1599 was sold to the late Mr. 
W. Stedman, Bedstone Hall. There were sev- 
eral cases of longevity amongst his bulls, espe- 
cially Berrington (i35) 33G3, who was a stock- 
getter at twenty-one years old; Sovereign (4:04) 
221, at fifteen vears old, and a more recent case. 
Above All (2910) 3127, which was only fed in 
the winter of 1883 by Mr. Jones, Preston Boats, 
Salop, at seventeen years old." 

It would be impossible to give here the 
names of all the famous animals bred by Mr. 
John Hewer during his career as a breeder, 
which practically extended from about 1803 to 
1873, a period of nearly seventy years. Mr. 
Ejion mentions in Vol. 1 of the Herd Book 
that he was informed by Mr. Hewer that Pretty 
Maid, Primrose, Beauty, and Damsel, were the 
four cows from which his herd was originally 
descended. 

Most of the following bulls bred by J. Hewer 
were extensively used in the county, and have 
left their impress on the breed: Sovereign 
(404) 221, Lotterv (410) 185. Bvron (440) 205, 
Hope (411) 282,' Chance (355)" 289. Defiance 
(41(i) 217, Prince Dangerous (302) 146, Lot 
(3(i4) 84(i, Lotterv 2d (408) 1413, Young Fa- 
vorite (413) 350, Wonder (420) 451, Fitzfavor- 
ite (141) 3()(;, Hamlet (512) 275, Original 1st 
(455) 219, Young Waxy (451) 301, Purslow 



(44(i), and Conqueror (412) 262. But the list 
could be largely extended, and the difficulty is 
to find a single animal of note in the present 
day that does not inherit Hewer blood. 

The sum received for the letting of Sovereign 
(404) 221 was £640 18s ($3,205), for Lottery 
(410) 185, £710 ($3,550), for Lottery 3d (408) 
1413 £645 lis ($3,225), and for Defiance (416) 
217 £525 ($2,625). The produce of Countess 
the 2d 226, was valued at £455 14s ($2,280), 
and the produce of the cow Lofty 147 made 
£1,289 ($6,445). As illustrative of the weight 
of some of Mr. Hewer's cattle, it may be noted 
that the live weight of the cow Rosy 5469 was 
one ton and one cwt. 3 qrs. or 2,436 lbs. 

Mr. Hewer gained the first prize at the R. A. 
S. E. Show at Oxford in 1839 for the best heifer 
(Lady Oxford 1414), and also the following 
year, at Cambridge, with Duchess of Cam- 
1 iridge. The widespread influence of the Hewer 
Idood on the breed arose very much from Mr. 
Hewer's habit of letting out liis bulls, as many 
as fifty-five having Ijeen, as Mr. ,J. L. Hewer has 
told us, let out at one time. In few herds was 
the Hewer influence more potent than in those 
of Mr. Thomas Jeffries of The Grove (who used 
Lottery, Sovereign and Byron), Mr. Yeomans 
of Howton, Mr. Yeomans of Moreton, Mr. 
Bowen of Crofton, Mr. Jones of Breinton; Mr. 
Turner, Noke, and Sir Hungerford Hoskyns. 
But in this respect again it is impracticable to 
make a full list without giving the names of 
nearly all the well-known breeders. 

In Mr. Jeffries' hands, however, it will be 
shown, the Hewer blood was most successful. 
The celebrated Cotmore (376) 150, calved in 
1836, bred by Mr. Jcfl^ries, and winner of the 
first prize at the initial show of the Royal Agri- 
cultural Society at Oxford in 1839, was got by 
Mr. Hewer's Sovereign (404) 221, and his dam 
was by Lottery (410) 185. Then Chance (348) 
119, the sire of the wonderful bull Sir David 
(349) 68, was from Victoria 186 by Lottery 
(410) 185, the grandam being Countess 264, by 
Old Sovereign (404) 221. Sir David's dam was 
also by Chance (348) 119. Instead of going 
into elaborate details now as to the influence of 
the Hewer cattle, it w-ill be more convenient 
to allow the facts to come out when we refer 
especially to the various herds. 

It has been somewhat positively stated that 
the whole of Mr. .John Hewer's cattle, as well 
as those of his father's, were white-faced. On 
this point Mr. John L. Hewer writes us: "My 
grandfather's herd were not all ]mre white 
faces. He had some ticked-faeed ones; also. I 
believe, a few a little mottled, and my father 
had one strain of the tick faces (^ 36) which he 



42 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



prized very highly, the Lofty strain from which 
descended Governor (464) 87, one of the best 
sires of his day; he was ticked very much. Mr. 
Bowen, who bred mostly from Hewer stock, had 
several ticked-faced ones in his herd descended 
from Governor, of which he thought a great 
deal. They were heavily fleshed of nice quality, 
and with great aptitude to fatten; and, as I 
told you before, my father went in for great 
scale, with symmetry, weight and quality. There 
were one or tvro tick faces at his last sale, but 
they early wore out from continually crossing 
with the white faces, although now and then 
one would crop up. 

"Lofty 147, I may add, was also the dam of 
Wonder (420) 451, used jjy the late Lord Ber- 
wick in his herd, also of a steer, winner of a 
first prize at the Rutland Show at Oakham in 
1837, and first at Smithfield. Her ^jroduce real- 
ized £1,289 ($6,445). I remember her very 
well; she was a favorite with me when a boy." 

The late Mr. E. Bowen, Crofton, wrote: "My 
first rememlu-ance of the tick-faces in Mr. Hew- 
er's herd was in 1838. I have heard him say 
that there was a particular strain that had 
these face markings, viz., Old Lofty 147, and 
the Lady Byron 218 (1[ 36A) families. In Gov- 
ernor (464) 87 the ticks were more blended 
than in any others. My Old Lady Wiseman 
7723, by Cardinal Wiseman (1168) 2688, dam 
a Governor cow, was also ticked-faced; out of 
fifteen calves produced by her, there was only 
one ticked-faced. That was her last, named 
Leah, now in my possession. She is strongly 
marked with the ticks but she has produced nic 
four calves, all of white-faces, so that I think 
with a continual crossing with white-faces the 
ticks will disappear." 

Mr. Forester, Sherlowe, remarks: "Mr. Hew- 
er's stock were all what is commonly called red 
with white faces. But this description is sul)- 
ject to a variety of which Mr. Hewer was rather 
fond, namely, a ticked-face — not what is usual- 
ly termed a mottle face, that is, one with spots 
such as could be counted, but minute ticks of 
a bluish tint. The bulls Wonder (420) 451, 
and Governor (464) 87, had it and their dam. 
Lofty 147, by Original (455) 219, in a marked 
degree; also Above All (2910) 3127, and in a 
less degree his sire Abdel Kader (1837) 3135." 

But, after all, the outstanding feature of Mr. 
Hewer's stock, as regards color, was their white 
faces. This uniformity was doubtless produced 
by careful selection in breeding. We may as- 
sume that the animals originally obtained by 
William Hewer possessed the white face and 
other markings now distinctly characteristic 
of the 1)rc('d. and tliat in his case, and that of 



his son, stock that reverted back to the other 
shades were not (except in the strain of tick 
faces to which we have referred) retained for 
breeding purposes; size and quality also re- 
ceived great attention, and the impressive power 
of the Hewer sires in all these particulars was 
remarkable. 

Mr. John L. Hewer wrote Messrs. McDonald 
and Sinclair: "If seems strange to you, no 
doubt, how my father managed to breed from 
his own stock for such a length of time, and 
so successfully to keep up the size and character 
of his herd. But that was his secret. He used 
to say that he had five different strains, which 
by judicious crossing kept up their stamina." 

The influence of the Hewer strains is very 
clearly brought out in an analysis of the pedi- 
gree of the prize cow Queen of Hearts 1552, 
which was drawn up by the Earl of South esk. 
It is seen from it how many of the best strains 
traced back to the bull Silver (540) 358 which 
Mr. Duckham, in the revised edition of Vol. 1 
of the Herd Book, truly remarks : "Appears to 
have laid the foundation of William Hewer's 
eminence as a breeder." 

Mr. John Hewer did not pamper his cattle. 
He kept them on plain fare and aimed at de- 
veloping robust constitutions. It is believed, 
indeed, that his system of management was of 
a somewhat rough description. At any rate 
there were never any complaints as to his ani- 
mals being delicate. 




YOUNG TRUEBOY (32) 630. BRED BY JOHN PRICE, 
CALVED 1838. 

Mr. John L. Hewer tells us that his father's 
system of management differed very little from 
that of other farmers in the district. He tried 
to have most of his calves dropped in the early 
summer. They ran with their dams in the pas- 
tures until they were weaned, and were then 
brought into the house and received a little 
cake, crushed oats, bran and chaff, with a few 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



43 



roots. The cOws were wintered in the yards on 
straw — frequently tacked out on straw. The 
only difVorcncc he made was with his young 
bulls. As yearlini;s, he never liked to pamper 
them, but kept them in good growing condition, 
as he said they always lasted longer than ani- 
mals that were pampered when young. He had 
some rough sheds put up in the orchards with 
thatch tor covering. The bulls ran out in the 
orchards, and had those sheds for shelter from 
sun and rain. They had also an allowance of 
cotton cake and crushed oats daily. 

The only fault that he had was that he was 
often overstocked, and one or two of his bulls 
were sometimes poor in condition. "But that 
could not be altered," remarks ouv correspon- 
dent, "as we frequently had as many as twenty- 
five to thirty bulls let out all over the Kingdom. 



■ - m --■■.. 



■■POOLE HOUSE." trpTOX-fPON-SEVERN. HOME OF 
JOHN PRICE. 

The consequence was that some of them came 
home in a shocking plight, and it took some 
time to get them in condition again, although 
I must give most of our customers credit for 
sending them home in good condition — indeed, 
sonic of them took a pride in sending tliem 
home in better condition than they received 
them." 

C'onse(iuent on his frequent removals and 
owing to other circumstances, Mr. Hewer had 
many sales of stock. The first of these was in 
18.St) at Hampton Lodge, when an average of 
t.'iS ($2!l(l) was obtained. Tlie highest price 
was t.'Ud lOs ($1,733) for the four-vear-old 
cow Lady Byron 218, got by Chance (355) 289, 
dam Fatfrumps '27fi. The purchaser was Mr. 
Williams, Bristol, who also bought the cow Red 
Rose 393, bv Chance (355) 289, dam Rosebud 
288, for £105 ($525), and the bulls Baron (418) 
28f>0, for £120 ($()00), Dangerous (419) 1099, 
for £252 ($l,2(iO), and Lot (364) 846, for £207 
15s ($1,340). Mr. Lumsden, Auchry, Aberdeen- 



shire, purchased the bull Matchless (415) 2524 
for £105 ($525), and the bull Wonder (420) 
451 sold for the same price. 

Another sale was held at Hampton Lodge 
in October, 1843, when the cow Lady, sire 
Chance (348) 119, dam Lady Byron 218, sold 
for 100 guineas ($500). A sale was held at 
Lower Wilcroft in October, 1846, and sales also 
took place at Vern House in 1855, 1861, and 
1866. 

At the Grove (Jeffries') sale in 1844, Byron 
(380) 190, calved in 1842 by Confidence (367) 
255, dam Lady Byron 136 by Hewer's Byron 
(440) 205, was sold for £75 ($375), Lady" By- 
ron 136 going for £84 ($420) to Mr. Price. Con- 
fidence (367) 255, tracing to Hewer stock, and 
first at the Derby Show of the R. A. S. E., being 
sold for £100 ($500) to Mr. Smith. 

Faugh-a-Ballagh (368) 5464, by Confidence 
(367) 255, Regulator (360) 174 by Sovereign 
(404) 221, dam by Lottery (410) 185 (the latter 
well known in connection with the Monaughty 
herd), and Hope (439) 324, by Byron (440) 20.5, 
from the same dam as Cotmore (376) 150, from 
which many of Mr. Carpenter's (Eardisland) 
winners were descended, may be mentioned as 
intimately connecting the Hewer stock to some 
of the best stock of the present day. 

In connection with Herefords in America, 
the following bill of sale from the Hewers to 
W. H. Sotham is of interest. 

The following are the pedigrees of the beasts 
sold by me this day, April 10th, 1840, to Wil- 
liam H. Sotham, Perch Lake Farm, Jefferson 
County, New York, North America: 

1. An eight-year-old cow. Lumpy, was sired 
by Nelson, dam by Panic, grandam by Alpha. 
Nelson's sire was by Trojan, dam Bloomy, gran- 
dam Old Bloomy. 

2. A five-year-old cow, Gay, and bull calf, 
Sir George. Gay sired by Noble, which was 
sired by Sovereign, that sired Cotmore which 
won the prize at Oxford Royal Agricultural So- 
ciety, 1839, and is admitted by all breeders to 
have sired more prize beasts than any other in 
the county of Hereford. Dam by Conqueror, 
grandam Spot by Alpha; Alpha by Trojan, the 
owner of which offered to show against any bull 
in England for a thousand pounds, and was not 
accepted. 

3. Young Sir George, by son of Sir George 
that won the prize at Hereford for best aged 
bull. 

4. Four-year-old cow Maria and calf, by 
Young Favorite, by a son of Alpha, dam by 
Noble. 

5. Calf Matilda by ilajor, which won the 
prize at Hereford with his dam and sire, for 



41 



HISTOEY OF HEREFOED CATTLE 



the best bull, cow and offspring, October, 1837, 
and the prize for the best yearling 1838. 

6. Yearling Victoria, by Major, dam by 
Favorite, Favorite by a son of Alpha. 

7. Bull calf Young Major, by Major, dam 
of Young Favorite. 

8. Two-year-old Aston Beauty, by a son of 
Old Sovereign, dam of Fitzfavorite, which won 
the prize at Cirencester Show. 

9. Two-year-old Spot, by Sir George, dam 
Gay. 



10. Two-year-old Nancy, by Sir- George. 

11. One-year-old Cherry, by a son of Sir 
George, dam Lumpy. 

12. One-year-old Flora, by son of Sir 
George, dam by Noble, grandam by Mr. Hewer's 
old bull, Son of Alpha. 

We hereby certify that the above statement 
is correct. 

W. & JOS. HEWEE. 
Northleach, Gloucestershire. 




THOMAS BATES, THE CELEBRATED SHORTHORN 
BREEDER. 



HISTORY OF HEltEFOED CATTLE 



45 



CHAPTER lY. 

Foundation Hereford Herds — Concluded 



EAELY BREEDERS IN ENGLAND. 



It is appropriate fliat a notice of the Jeffries 
family should follow lliat of the Hewers, hut 
it is necessary to explain that liefore the cattle 
hretl by the Hewers had attained the great repu- 
tation which they ultimately possessed, mem- 
bers of the Jeffries family had taken a promi- 
nent position as breeders of Herefords. "The 
name of Jett'ries," says Mr. Welles, "'has been 
eminent among Hereford breeders for many 
years. Those of the latest date were Edmund 
and Thomas Jeft'ries, both having been taken 
off at premature ages and both deriving their 
stock of cattle chietly from those of their father 
and nncle. 

"For many of the last years of his life Mr. 
Thomas Jelfries had restricted himself to the 
white-faced breed solely — those of his brother 
Edmund having been more of the mottled 
breed." Mr. Welles, of course, knew that a cele- 
brated strain of cattle had been in the posses- 
sion of the Jett'ries family for a long period, 
as he did not, as some have done, fall into the 
mistake of imagining that their success began 
with the victory of Cotmore (376) 150 (UST) 
at the first show of the Roval Agricnltnral So- 
ciety of England at O.xford in 1839. 

From the early records of the Herefordshire 
Agricultural Society, it is fonnd that in 1803, 
at the October show, the second prize for a 
three-vear-old heifer was awarded to Mr. Jef- 
fries of Lyonshall. In IBO.j Mr. Jeffries' bull 
Pembridge was the first for aged bulls, and in 
the same year Mr. Jeft'ries, The Grove, won first 
for two-year-nld heifers. At most of the suc- 
ceeding early shows the names of ilessrs. Jef- 
fries, The Grove and The Sheritfs. are to, be 
found in the prize lists, their success, indeed, 
being beyond comparison, the greatest of any 
group of breeders. (U 37A) 

Mr. Haywood infonned editors McDonald 
and Sinclair that the Jeffries obtained their 
first Herefords from the Haywoods of Clifton, 
on Teme. This opinion is confirmed by the fact 



that the Jeffries originally came from that part 
of the country. But it is not necessary to trace 
the family history any further back than to 
Mr. Edward Jett'ries of The Sheriffs, Lyonshall, 
who is known to have been a breeder of Here- 
fords, and who was probably the winner of the 
prize at Hereford iu 1803. 

There were three generations of the Jeffries 
family, who were famous breeders of Hereford 
cattle. Mr. Edward Jett'ries of The Sheriffs and 
Mr. Thos. Jeffries of The Grove, sons of Mr. 
Thos. Jeffries of The Grove (born 1720, died 
1807), were both purchasers at Mr. Galliers' sale 
at Wigmore Grange in 1795, and there cannot 
be the slightest doubt that their herds were at 
that time, and for many years subsequently, 
among the finest in the country. These were 
the days prior to the Herd Book, and no record 
other than the prize lists exists as to the breed- 
ing or doings of their herds. 

The three brothers, Edward. Thomas, and 
Edmund Cheese, sons of Mr. Thomas Jeffries 
(If 37b) of The Grove (born 1759, died 1840), 
still further advanced the good work accom- 
plished by their father and uncle, continuing- 
to breed from the old .strains at The Grove, 
and The Sheriffs. Mr. Edward Jeffries occu- 
])ied The Sheriff's where he died prior to 1811. 
Mr. Edmund Cheese Jeff'ries was at The Grove 
and died in 1836. Mr. Thos. Jeffries was first at 
The Church House, Lyonshall, then succeeded 
his two brothers at The Grove and The Sheriffs. 
The Jeffries herds were brought to their highest 
point of perfection under the direction of the 
younger Mr. Thos. Jeffries. 
". His two brothers, although Mr. E. C. Jef- 
fries .used Hewer bulls, among them being the 
famous Sovereign, were not so decided in their 
operations as regards the promotion of uniform- 
ity of color. Among tlie other bulls used by 
Mr. E. C. Jeffries were Fitzfavorite (441) 3fifi, 
and Noble (543) 1174. both from Mr. Hewer's 
herd; while of the more celebrated animals he 



46 



H I S T E Y OF H E E E F O II D V A T T L E 



bred were The SherifEs (356) 283,— by Sov- 
ereign, a prize bull by Gloucester and sold to 
Mr. Mason at The Grove sale in 1836 for £60 
($300) ; Portrait (3T2) 194,— by Lottery (410) 
185,— sold in 1836 to Mr. Kogers for £53 
($260); Grove (370) 247 sold at the same sale 
for £80 ($400), and Conservative (270) sold for 
£70 ($350). 

Mr. Thos. Jeffries is acknowledged to have 
been one of the most successful and skillful 
breeders of the Herefords. Beginning with the 
old Jeffries blood, he seems to have perceived 
that the best course for him to pursue was to 
infuse a large pro]:)ortion of Hewer blood. He 
had on hire Mr. John Hewer's grand bulls Sov- 
ereign (404) 221, Lottery (410) 185, Byron 
(440) 205, and Fitzfavorite (441) 3.66. The cat- 
tle thus bred were of the very highest merit, 
being of large size, good form, splendid quality, 
and generally uniform in color markings. He 
did more than any other breeder to spread 
abroad the fame of the Hewer stock, and en- 
couraged by his success many of the best breed- 
ers of the day imitated his example and crossed 
their stock with the Hewer bulls. Indeed, it is 
not too much to say that it is largely owing to 
Mr. Hewer, Mr. Yeomans, and Mr. Thomas Jef- 
fries that the uniform color marking of the 



breed was established. It is not necessary here 
to go into much detail regarding the many im- 
pressive sires that were distributed over the 
country from The Grove herd. 

Cotmore (376) 150, bred by T. Jeifries, 
calved in 1836 (got by Hewer's Sovereign (404) 
221, when he was fifteen years old), dam by 
Lottery (410) 185, was considered to have been 
one of the finest Hereford bulls ever seen. Be- 
sides gaining first prizes at Hereford as a two- 
year-old, three-year-old, and later in the aged 
class, he was the first prize winner at the Ox- 
ford Show of the R. A. S. E. in 1839. His live 
weight was 35 old English cwt. (or 3,920 lbs.). 
Hope (439) 324 {]\ 38) from same dam as Cot- 
more, was a grand animal and impressive sire 
that left his mark on the breed, (ff 38B) 

Mr. Thos. Jeffries' services were not over- 
looked by his contemporaries. A subscription 
list, prefaced by the following notice, appeared 
in the Hereford papers in 1839: "JIany ad- 
mirers as well as breeders of Hereford cattle 
having viewed with feelings of pride the suc- 
cess of Mr. Thos. Jeffries of The Grove in ob- 
taining at the first meeting of the English Agri- 
cultural Society, held at Oxford on Wednesday, 
the 17th day of July, 1839, a prize for exhibit- 
ing the best Hereford bull, desire to present 




CROO.ME COURT," WORCESTERSHIRE, SEAT OF THE EAKL OF COVENTRY. 



H 1 S T U It Y O F HERE E U iU) C A T T L E 



i'i 



him with a piece ol' plate, as an expression of the 
liighest estimation in which his services are 
held as a breeder of Ilerefords." (Tj 38a) A 
very handsome response was made, and Mr. Jef- 
fries at a dinner at which he was entertained 
at Kington, presided over by Sir Robert Price, 
was presented with a magnificent service of 
plate. The service, along with a large number 
of cups, are in the possession of Mr. Henry 
Jeffries, of Cxuilford, who treasures them not 
only as evidence of the skill of his father and 
other members of the family in breeding Here- 
fords, but also as a testimony of the esteem in 
which Jlr. Jeffries was held by a wide circle of 
friends. 

The most eminent of the early improvers who 
come in chronological order next to those al- 
ready mentioned, may be appropriately intro- 
duced by continuing the account drawn up by 
the late ilr. T. C. Yeld of The Broome, from 
which a quotation was made in a preceding 
chapter: 

"No one," Mr. Yeld says, "ever bred better 
cattle than the late Mr. T. A. Knight. There 




THE RIGHT HOXORABLE EARL OF COVENTRY. 
(From a photograph taken in 1902.) 

was no one who knew the principles of breeding 
cattle better, and ho took great pains to try the 
various crosses, the only success being with 
Scotch heifers. His white bull, entered in the 
Herd Book as Snowball, or Knight's 'Wliite 
Bull (240) 328. was used after Mr. Turley. by 
Mr. Rea of The Rock, and, I believe, by his 



son, Mr. Rea of Monaughty, by his son-in-law, 
Mr. Taylor of Eye, by Messrs. Hill and Trump- 
er of Orleton, and afterwards by Mr. Yeld of 
The Broome." 

Mr.Y'eld tells us: "There were very few stocks 
at this time fit to breed bulls from besides those 
of Tomkins, Price, Galliers, Skyrme, TuUy, 
Hewers, Jeffries, Knight, Mr. Proctor, Black- 
hall, Mr. Martin, Wistaston, Mr. Sheward, Lit- 
tle Dilwyn, Mr. Yarworth, Brinsop, in what 
may be termed the Pyon district; and in Pem- 
bridge district, Mr. Parry, Birley ; Mr. Farrier, 
Luntly; Mr. J. Jones, C'harbrook; Mr. Jones, 
The Lowe, Pembridge; Mr. Powel, Marston, 
and Mr. Turner, Aymestry. On the Hereford 
side was also, first, Mr. Weyman, Moreton, suc- 
ceeded by Mr. Chute Hayton, Mr. Clarke, Lyde, 
Mr. Walwin, Sir John Cotcerell, Col. Matthews, 
Belmont." Mr. Y'eld adds: "I am speaking 
now of the first twenty years of the present 
century." 

"All the above named herds," says Mr. Y^'eld, 
"possessed form and quality. There was an- 
other class of Herefords to appear to have been 
bred solely for working purposes, being large 

in size, with very heavy bone There was 

a third class of what were termed Welsh Here- 
fords, red and white-faced, but that carried no 
flesh and when grazed on the best land would 
never stretch. 

"During the French revolutionary war, and 
up to 1821, the return to cash payments, every- 
thing sold high, and farmers could pay high 
rents, but with the winter and spring of 1820- 
21 Peel's Monetary Bill came into full force. 
Down went the manufacturers, down went the 
bank and down went the farmers. At this time 
scores were ruined by force of circumstances, 
and those farmers who had not real property to 
fall back upon were bound to go to the wall. 
I have seen whole streets filled with cattle in 
the years 1821-22-23, and no one asked what 
they were bought for. 

"I well remember the stock of M-r. John Jones 
of Charbrook, sold in 1822. They were as 
good as anything I ever saw; the cows and 
heifers magnificent. Cows sold from £7 to £12 
(or $3.5 to $60) each; most beautiful two-year- 
old heifers from £G to £8 ($30 to $40) each. 
There was as good a cart team as it was possible 
to find; the highest price £11 ($.55). At Here- 
ford Fair in 1823 some very splendid Ijarren 
cows, bred by Col. Matthews of Belmont, were 
bought by a neighbor of mine at £6, 7s, fid 
($34) eacii. 

"At this time graziers found they could make 
no profit by feeding, rarely making more than 
£1 ($5) for summer profit over price, and farm- 



48 



HISTORY OF HEREFOED CATTLE 



ers began to pa}' more attention to breeding. 

"After 1820, among the very best breeders 
were Mr. Hayton, llr. Smythies, Mr. J. Monk- 
house (TI 39), and especially Mr. John Turner 
(U 40) of Noke Court, who not only bred but 
managed his stock in a highly creditable man- 
ner, and his three-year-old steers were always 
greatljf admired. I may also mention two gen- 
tlemen who never pushed themselves into no- 
tice, but who brought out some of the best 
steers I ever saw, viz., Mr. Richard Hill and Mr. 
Trumper, of Orleton. Besides those before 
named, there were many others possessing very 
excellent herds, including Mr. Davis, Ladycott; 
Mr. Davis, Oxhouse; Mr. Joseph Edwards, 
Kingsland, and Mr. W. Wheeler, Irving Park. 

"At this time, 1825, several new stocks were 
creeping into notice and eventually took a lead- 
ing place, viz., Mr. T. Roberts (l|4l), of Iving- 
tonbury; Mr. James Bowon, of Monkland; Mr. 
Yeld, The Broome; Mr. John Morris, Stockton- 
bury; Mr. W. Bennett, Strettford; Mr. John 
Thomas and Mr. Vaughan, Cholstrey; also Mr. 
Wm. Parry, Mr. J. Williams, Kingsland; Mr. 
Samuel Peploe, and others. (Tj 42) 

"Few people at this time had better stock or 
were better judges than the Rev. J. R. Smythies. 
He began about the year 1820, and, regardless 
of price, bought the best he could find. He 
bought the remainder of Mr. William Galliers' 
stock. After retiring from business, ]\Ir. Gal- 
liers took the Lynch House, and a portion of 
the meadow land, and there took some of the 
very hest of his herd, all of which were pur- 
chased bv Mr. Smythies, among them the cele- 
brated bull Cupid (198) 311 and the cows 
Venus and Browny, which were equal to any- 
thing ever bred in Herefordshire. Mr. Sniytli- 
ies also bought some of the finest of Mr. Yar- 
worth's (of Brinsop) herd, among which were 
Countess and Larkspur. He also bought about 
the same time some of the very best of Mr. 
Sheward's (of Little Dilwyn) herd, which cer- 
tainly was on the whole equal to any other 



In addition to the aid afforded them by ilr. 
Yeld's statement, Messrs. McDonald and Sin- 
clair were enabled to estimate the position of 
the leading herds during the first twenty years 
of the nineteenth century by analyzing the prize 
lists of the shows of the Herefordshire Agricul- 
tural Society. These they compiled by the ad- 
vertisements and reports contained in the Here- 
ford Journal, the early records of the society 
not having been discovered, if, indeed, they are 
in existence. They found it necessary to qual- 
ify the record by mentioning, that "of course 
there were good herds whose owners did not ex- 



liibit," thus on only one occasion did Mr. Ben- 
jamin Torakins send an animal for competition 
at the show. The list is, however, interesting 
and valuable evidence as to the relative position 
of the various herds. 

The completion of the records mentioned re- 
late to the shows commencing 1798 and con- 
cluding 1819, and from them it appears that 
the largest number of first prizes for breeding 
stock were won by Mr. Galliers, Frogdou, who. 




WOODSTOCK (24) 164, CALVED 1S33, BRED BY J. PRICE. 

as ]>rcviously stated, secured thirteen — ^Messrs. 
Jeffries of The Grove and The Sheriffs won 
nineteen (nine falling to Mr. Jeffries, The 
Grove, and five to Mr. Jeffries, The Sheriff's); 
Mr. T. A. Knight followed with nine; Mr. Wat- 
kins, Brinsop; Mr. Yarworth, Troy, and Brin- 
sop, seven; Mr. Walker, Burton, six; ]\Ir. Tench, 
Bromfield, five; Mr. Walker, Wessington, five; 
Mr. Samuel Tully, Huntington, four; Mr. 
Moore, Wellington, four. Each of the follow- 
ing gained three first prizes: Mr. Jos. Tully, 
Bay wood; Col.- Matthews, Mr. Yeoman, How- 
ton, and Mr. E. Wainright, Hereford. Those 
who gained two first prizes were Messrs. John 
Apperley, of Withington; Mr. Skyrme, of Stret- 
ton; Wiiliams, of Thingehill; Rev. J. R. Smyth- 
ies, of Lynch; Kedward, Westhyde; Williams, 
Brinsop; Smith, Gattertop; Deykin, Brierly; 
Weaver, Stretton; Hardwick, Wier; Jones, Faw- 
ley; Cooke, Wintercott. The winners of single 
first prizes were; Messrs. Croose of Sugwas, 
Smith of Sufton, Powell of Titley, Downes of 
Hinton, Clee of Downton, Downs of Ashford, 
Tomkins of Wellington; Croose, Ocle; Davies, 
The Rodd; Welles, Earl's Croome; J. G. Cot- 
terell; Barnet of Ledbury; Lowe, Gattertop; 
Prichard, Eaton Mill; Edward, Dilwyn; Oakes, 
Lenthall; Downes, Mansell; Green, Stoke; 
Hughes, Marcle; Stevens, Cotniore; Hewer, 
Abergavenny; Woolaston, Lynch; Salwey, Ash- 



HTSTOt^Y OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



49 



ley M<ior; Prnctor. Orluton: Harris, The Marsh; 
Wdiid. ISiirvhill; iMasoii. Wooferton; Haiibiiry, 
Sliiil)(l()ii: Stevens, liriiisop; Rev. W. Bayley, 
Wdiiiesley (iranj;e; lianiiet, Xetherton; Turner, 
Hockleton; V.. .lones. King's Caple; Preece, 
l^eyeeimrt: Mrs. IJerrow, The Green, Dew- 
church; Syinonds, Yatloii; E. Walwyn Grave- 
iior. Tile I'arlvs; .1. Purciias, Fownliope; Price, 
Ndrton (iroinuls; T. Barnaljy, Broel<hainpton; 
'l'onil<ins. Dippers Moor; Parry, Birley; Wood, 
BurghilJ, etc. 

"Ail the ijentienien whose names liave l)een 
given, and many more," say McDonald and Sin- 
clair, "were noted breeders during the first 
twenty years of the present century. Their nura- 
l)er denion.st rates that the Hereford breed can 
claim a broad and solid foundation." 

\i. would be manifestly impossible to give an 
adequate notice of these many herds. It is, in- 
deed, inadvisable to attempt to do so, as many 
of them have not exercised a recognizable or 
known intluence on the modern character of the 
breed. Our remarks will, therefore, be confined 
to those old herds that may be regarded as 
forming links with the present. As to the 
herds of Tomkins, Galliers, Tully, Skyrme, 
Hewer and Jeffries which are referred to in the 
list, all the material facts in our possession have 
already been given. It seems necessary to ex- 
plain that the nuniberof ])rizes won at theHere- 
fordshire Show is not alone a reliable indica- 
tion of the relative positions of the herds ex- 
hibited, inasmuch as some of them — notably 
those of Galliers, Tully, and Skyrme — were dis- 
persed a considerable time before the meeting 




MAXIMUS (1615) 1817, CALVED 185S, BRED BY H. R. H. 
THE PRINCE CONSORT. 

in 1819, to which the list extends; while others 
were represented at the shows during the whole 
period. 

Mr. ThoHsasr- ■ Andrew Knight of Downton 
(U 43) was one of the mo.st successful exhibitors 
at the early shows of the Hereford Agricultural 
Society. Mr. Yeld has told us of the estima- 



tion in wliich his herd was held by his contem- 
poraries, and in a former chapter reference has 
been made to the investigations carried out by 
Mr. Knight as to the history of the breed. Born 
at Wormesley Grange on August 12th, 1759, 
Mr. Knight, after studying at Oxford, retired 
to his country seat, and devoted himself to the 
improvement of the leading industries of the 
county. 

Prior to 1806 Mr. Knight had become well 
known as a practical agriculturist and as an 
improver of Hereford cattle. He was instru- 
mental in founding the agricultural society of 
the county, and to the end of his life he was 
almost invariably present at its meetings. In 
the letter written by Mr. Knight in 1836, which 
Mr. Yeld preserved, there is an account of the 
breeding of the bull Snowball (346) 328, other- 
wise known as Knight's white bull. From this 
it appears that Mr. Knight's herd was descend- 
ed from the stocks of ilr. Skyrme, Stretton; 
Jlr. Tully, Huntington; Mr. Isaac JIartin, and 
Mr. Benjamin Tomkins. Mr. Knight evidently 
preferred the first to all others, remarking that 
ilr. Skyrme "at the time possessed, in his opin- 
ion, by far the best breed of cattle in the coun- 

ty." 

In an article on the Ashley Moor herd of Mr. 
Theophilus Salwey, which appeared in "Bell's 
Weekly Messenger" in 1873, Mr. Houseman 
remarked: "The reader, acquainted with more 
than the merest rudiments of Hereford history, 
need not be reminded that the animals of Mr. 
Salwey were descended from those of Mr. T. 
Andrew Knight. In describing the Ashley Moor 
stock, we therefore shall have occasion to make 
frequent allusion to the old Downton Castle 
tribes. And here a tribute is due to the mem- 
ory of a public benefactor, who was far in ad- 
vance of his generation in percejition of the 
principles of animal and vegetable reproduc- 
tion, and of hereditary recurrences, and ever 
ready to inform and encourage the seekers of 
knowledge. His views upon stock breeding are 
less widely known than his contributions to 
the stores of horticultural science; yet, upon 
the subject of which we now treat, he could 
speak as one who had made himself its master 
so far as patient observation, with long prac- 
tical experience, could give an insight to its 
mysteries. 

"Sometime about the commencement of the 
latter half of the eighteenth century, Mr. Knight 
had determined to form a herd that should be 
well adapted to a somewhat poor and uneven 
locality, and for that purpose he visited all the 
best herds of the county, and selected from 
them according to the best of his judgment, 



50 



11 1 8 T O K Y OF II E II E F 11 D CATTLE 



without much regard to size,' but keeping in 
view symmetry and good quahty. He soon dis- 
covered that some very noble cattle of the 
larger sorts were not suited to his purpose on 
account of their inability to stand and walk 
as he knew that animals should stand and 
walk. The setting of the legs, their shape and 
the way of using them were great points with 
him, and often did he repeat to eager listeners, 
who availed themselves of his counsel, the 
avowal of his strong aversion to 'lamb's knees 
and sickle hocks,' which he said were 'quite un- 
fit to move upon Bringewood Chase' (near 
Downton Castle), where his Herefords were 
kept. The result of his antipathy necessarily 
was that animals characterized by the unpar- 
donable similitudes were mercilessly weeded 
out, and after various sifting processes, the final 
selection fell upon a few animals from the 
herds of Mr. TuUy of Huntington, near Here- 
ford; Mr. Geo. Tomkins and -jMr. Skyrme — the 
grey element of the stock (afterwards celebrated 
as 'the Knight's Greys") deriving their blood 
solely from the Tully strain, the dark red from 
the Tomkins, and the pale red from the Skyrme 
tribes. 

"Xone of these varieties contributed remark- 
ably large animals, but the Herefords thus re- 
tained were invariably very thick, and stood 
particularly well on their legs, so that they 
could easily move up and down the steep pas- 
tures they occasionally had to live upon. So 
fastidious was Mr. Knight upon this point that 
he would not choose a bidl calf to rear for use 
as a sire until he had not only made him walk, 
but even trot — a practice which drew down 
upon him sometimes from his old neighboring 
farmers remarks of contemptuous merriment, 
which Mr. Knight most completely disregarded. 
The issiie turned the laugh upon his side as 
the progeny of his 'trotting bulls' proved 
clever and free in their action to the very last 
stage of fattening." 

"I well remember," says a correspondent who 
in early life knew that original thinker and suc- 
cessful breeder, "most of the leading points 
which Mr. Knight endeavored to obtain were 
the following: Broad nostrils, small from the 
nostrils to the eyes, and fine large eyes, broad 
bash (scope of forehead down to the line of the 
eyes); open and well developed horns, a little 
dipping in the first instance and then 
gradually rising; large measurements of 
girth was always a sine qua non, and 
likewise that the shoulder should not be 
an upright one, but well lying back from 
the neck, the blade being very oblique but 
lying open toward the chine. He would have 



his animals thick through the heart, with the 
forelegs going down straight like two pegs (the 
opposite of 'lamb's knees'), ribs broad and well 
arched, especially the last ribs at the adjoining 
of the quarters; the table-bones of the sirloin 
long, flat, and well developed, particularly the 
one adjoining the ribs, thus making a strong, 
well-formed back, and joining the quarters. 
Hips were always considered to be secondary in 
importance, though he never wished to see 
them. prominent, but so formed and placed as 
to stand tolerably even with the sirloin and ribs. 
The catch (pen-ends, pin-ends, or fool's point) 
he wished to see well developed, with not the 
slightest prominence of frame between the 
catch and the hips (i. e., the packing of hind 
quarters) nor anything in that region which 
might come under the denomination of gaudy. 
"Indeed," says the writer, "Mr. Knight's am- 
bition was to see an animal as true in its forma- 
tion and level as possible from the catch, all 




CHARACTERISTIC HEREFi 



-11I1;I5 FARMYARD. 



the way over the back, loin, chine, shoulders, 
and as far up the neck as possible ; thighs true, 
deep and thick ; purse full and very well spread 
over the abdominal region, with indeed a dis- 
position to fatten all the way up to the brisket 
(lengthwise under the l)ody) ; thick, mellow 
skin and long, soft hair."' 

Mr. Welles has placed it on record that the 
variety called grey or roan would obviously arise 
from an intermixture of the red with those 
possessing a large proportion of white. They 
obtained their greatest celebrity from their be- 
ing favorites with Mr. Andrew Knight, much 
of whose stock were of that color; one of the 
earliest being a white cow, from which be bred 
one or two celebrated bulls. "That he pursued 
his object with judgment as well as ardor," says 
Mr. Welles, "has been evinced by prizes having 
been awarded of late j'ears to nuiuy descendants 



n 1 S T n Y F TI E K E ¥ K D C A T T L E 



51 



of his stock, anioug otliers the ox bred by ilr. 
Hill, Orleton, which obtained the gold medal 
at Sinithtield in 1839, for the best beast in the 
yard." 

Few of Mr. Knighfs cattle have been regis- 
tered. Of these Snowball (246) 328 has already 
been referred to. Lawton (223) was also bred 
by Mr. Knight, and used by Mr. Downes' Aston 
Ball in 1811. Stratford (3(!4) 3(59 is entered as 
having been from Mr. Knight's celebrated white 




HEWER, VERN HOUSE. MARDEN, HERE- 
FORDSHIRE. 



cow, and the Gatley bnll (501) 3038 was of his 
breeding. Among those who obtained stock 
from him were Jlr. Rea, Monaughty, Mr. Tur- 
ner, Aymestery, and Mr. Salwey, Ashley Jloor. 
Through all these herds the Knight blood is 
still rei)rcsentcd. Mr. Salwey purchased from 
Mr. Knight four heifers, from which a valu- 
able ])rogeny descended (Tj -i.5). 

Mr. Boughton Knight (H 44), of Downton 
Castle, some years ago attempted to found a 



herd of the old Knight grey color, but finding 
the red with white faces were more easily dis- 
posed of, he abandoned the strain. Mr. J. A. 
Kolls, The Hendre, Monmouth, is one of the 
few gentlemen who now keeps the stock of the 
old color. In other herds possessing the Knight 
blood, the markings have not been retained, al- 
though the fine quality and true shapes, for 
which the sort was celebrated, were as conspic- 
uous as ever, the heads being true to the old 
type. 

ilr. Duncomb, Historian of the County, in 
drawing up his report on the agriculture of 
Hereford for the Board of Agriculture in 180.5, 
relied almost exclusively on Mr. Knight's in- 
formation for Ills description on the manage- 
ment of cattle. In his observation on the sub- 
ject, Mr. Knight said some of the Hereford- 
shire breeders had sacrifieed the qualities of the 
cow for those of the ox. He does not value the 
cow according to the price which the grazier 
would give for it, but in proportion as it pos- 
sesses that form and character which experience 
has taught him to be conducive to the excel- 
lence of the future ox. The cow of Hereford- 
shire (ISO.")) is very feminine in its character, 
light heshed when in common condition, but 
is capable of extending itself universally in a 
short space of time when .fattening. It may 
here be remarked that there is an extraordinary 
difference between the weight of a Hereford- 
shire cow and the ox bred from her. Perhaps 
other sorts, eminent for producing fine oxen, 
are similarly distinguished, but it is a fact that 
the Herefordshire cow will not unfrequentiy be 
the mother of an ox of nearly three times her 
own weight. 

Mr. Knight was convinced that the true func- 
tion of the Hereford breed was to produce first- 
class beef. He did not believe in attempting to 
develop the milking properties of the race, con- 
sidering that it was sufficient if a cow gave milk 
enough to keep its calf fat, and unless it could 
do so, it was disqualified from breeding a good 
ox. What he says descriptive of the cow bred 
in Herefordshire appears to mean simply that 
preference should be given to neat, compact ani- 
mals. The system in Leicestershire of bestow- 
ing most of the attention on the improvement 
of the cow, and making her an excellent animal 
for the purpose of the grazier, was, in his view, 
unsound. 



■ 


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Bv '^^^^^^^^^^^^^1 


^H 




^Bi 


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Bi """^'^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^l 


^m 


^^f jI^I 






Bl^rv -■■^ 


■B 




^Hl 



JOHN HEWEK. BORN 1787, DIED 1875. THE GREATEST IMPROVER OF HEREFORD CATTLE 
(From ao oil painting presented to bim by bis friends in isui.) 



HISTOIJY OF IIEEEFOED CATTLE 



53 



CHAPTER V. 

A NoTKn Fkeder ox Herefokds as Beef Animals 



As to till' pcrmanunt record of the breed we 
find that in 1787 J. IL Campbell was a pur- 
chaser of Hereford cattle and a grazier in the 
County of Kent, near London, an account of 
which is given in tlic following jiages with the 
correspondence that was published in the "An- 
nals of Agriculture," an agricultural paper, 
from 1780 up to 1805. I have given this corre- 
spondence fully,not only to show what the breed 
was at that time, but to show also that Mr. 
Campbell was an intelligent breeder and feeder, 
and that his statement was: that the Hereford 
l)reed of cattle were the best and most econom- 
ical feeders at that time; and in 1788 Mr. Mar- 
shall, a noted and intelligent writer on agri- 
culture and live-stoclv subjects, after visiting 
Herefordshire and adjoining counties, pro- 
nounced the Hereford breed of cattle the finest 
in the United Kingdom. 

Taking the testimony of Mr. Speed, given in 
1U27, and the testimony of Mr. Campbell, a 
grazier and feeder, and of Mr. Marshall, a noted 
writer on live-stock interests of the United 
Kingdom, twenty years from the time that Ben- 
jamin Tomkins commenced his work, it must 
be assumed that although the complete record 
is lacking between Lord Tomkins (1570 and 
l(i40) and the time of Jlr. Campbell and Mr. 
Marshall (1750 and 1820) the breed was in the 
bands of good breeders during that time. It is 
certain tliat by 1788, Mr. Westcar, of Creslow, 
liiickinghamshire, was one of a large number 
of appreciative purchasers of Hereford cattle 
for grazing and feeding, and that ten years later 
he was a party to the organization of the Smith- 
Held Cattle Club and a successful exhibitor of 
Hereford cattle before that society from its first 
exhibition up to the time of his death in 1819. 

The winnings of the Herefords before the 
Smithfield Club were in evidence as to the mer- 
its of the breed, and a very important feature 
in the history of the Hereford cattle, is the fact 
that Hereford breeders were farmers and not 
exhibitors, that they established weekly sale 
days (TI4()) nt Hereford Citv, and a yearly sale 
in October of each year, as far back as we have 



any record, and that those sale days have been 
continued up to the present time. 

We have the fact, stated by Mr. Fowler, that 
on the annual sale day in October there have 
been brought to the Hereford market as high 
as 8,000 to 9,000 head, filling not only the mar- 
ket grounds but the streets of Herefordshire 
with Hereford cattle, and that during all the 
time from the first record we have to the pres- 
ent, that cattle feeders and graziers of Buck- 
inghamshire and other counties near London 
Jiave come to the Flereford market on these sale 
days and to the farmers and purchased their 
steers at prices much in advance of what like 
ages of any other breed have been sold for. 

It has been claimed by breeders of the Short- 
horn cattle that while the Herefords have made 
much larger gains before the Smithfield Society 
on oxen and steers, that the Shorthorn breed- 
ers have made larger gains by the exhibit of 
Shorthorn cows. This is explained by the fact 
that Hereford breeders were not exhibitors in 
the earlier years of this show. The show of 
Herefords being made by the graziers of other 
counties who bought their stocks in Hereford- 
shire (TI 47) (^ 48). 

Wehavefollowed Mr. Benjamin Tomkinsand 
Mr. John Price in their woi'k, and the Hewers 
in theirs ; they were undoubtedly leaders, Tom- 
kins and Price breeding more compact and 
smaller animals, and the Hewers breeding more 
for a larger scale and heavier weights, and be- 
tween these two lines, Tomkins and Price, and 
Hewers, we know, there has been an army of 
breeders through Herefordshire and adjoining 
counties equally successful and intelligent in 
their works. 

We have quoted from J. H. Campbell, of 
Charlton, in Kent, on breeds in a preceding 
chapter. The following is from a letter to the 
"Annals of Agriculture" published in London, 
dated Charlton, Jan. 15th, 1789: 

"Sir: Enclosed I send, as you desire, a copy 
of the queries I received from a gentleman (who 
wished me to inform him of the method I used 
in feeding cattle on potatoes), with what I wrote 



54 



HISTOKY OF HEEEFOED CATTLE 



in answer to them. I have added a few words 
wliich I sh'juld have jjut in my answer, but, be- 
ing rather busily employed just at that time, 
and the season of the year requiring the answer 
should not be delayed, my answer was more 
hastily wrote than 1 wished, and I did not recol- 
lect all that I ought to have mentioned. 

"You were pleased to think so favorably of 
my management of the stall-feeding business 
that you wished me to communicate in writing, 
with a view to its having a place in your Annals, 
an account of my method of proceeding 
throughout. 

"If I conceived that I had really found out or 
was possessed of any means excelling what oth- 
ers knew or practiced, I should most readily 
and without delay (without vagging the public) 
give it into your hands, who, we know, would 
put it in a way doing the most good to all whom 
it might concern, and the community at large, 
but 1 am conscious that there is nothing in my 




DARLING, FIRST BULL, EVER BRED BY MR. J. L. 
HEWER. 

way of carrying on that business that will not 
as well or better be learned from many other 
persons, indeed. The enclosed papers (though 
wrote only as answers to inquiries about feed- 
ing with potatoes only) tell you almost the 
whole of my proceedings. That you may not, 
however, suspect me of disinclination to satisfy 
you about it, and to show you there is nothing 
extra in my management, I just run over the 
course here. 

"The sort of oxen I take for my stall feeding 
are such as should not go to market till there 
is the greatest call for prime beef, and for that 
time they should be completely fat; so that I 
do not propose any material or regular sale, un- 
til Candlemas, and sell so as to clear all the 
stalls some time in May. With this view, when 
I buy cattle in the spring, and on to August, I 
make no objection to good oxen (that is. meU 



low, supple-fleshed ones) for being as lean as 
poor keep and hard work can fairly make such; 
but from that time I look for having them in 
better and better order, till at the last buying 
for the year's feeding, at the end of October, 1 
demand what may be called, full of flesh. 

"I keeji them at tolerable grass during the 
summer, mending the quality of that as the 
season draws later, and with good latter-math 
(to which about the beginning of November 
or how soon the hoary frosts hang much on the 
grass and the nights become long and cold) I 
add a small feed of inferior sort of hay in the 
mornings. The first of December (or sooner 
if severe rains or snow set in) I take them to 
the stalls, where at first I give them but small 
quantities of potatoes and a larger proportion 
of hay, but increase the potatoes and decrease 
the hay till they come to about three-quarters 
of a bushel of potatoes and about six pounds 
of hay per o.x, one with another. 

"When they have arrived at their full cpian- 
tity of potatoes, I give^them in addition some 
brewer's grains, beginning with about a half 
bushel to each, increasing till they will at last, 
in general, eat a M'hole bushel per day. To the 
grains after Christmas I begin to add either 
pollard or (if to be had proportionately clieap) 
jiea or bean meal; of these, also, I begin with a 
quart and increase till they come to a peck or 
more of pollard, though seldom quite so much 
of meal except to such as are extra size and 
therefore fit to be made extra fat. 

"Every otlier particular of my proceeding you 
will see by the enclosed paper. 

"Many persons have expressed some wonder 
at the rapid progress they . observe my cattle 
made in their fattening, and I believe with some, 
I get more commendation than my proper share, 
for the credit is justly due to the cattle, not 
to their master, who claims no other merit than 
having taken extra pains to make himself well 
acquainted with different kinds of cattle, giv- 
ing a fair and thorough trial to several different 
breeds, thereby enabling himself to know what 
breed would be most to his purpose to 
attend to. 

"Of this true Herefordshire breed (which Mr. 
Culley in his book on live stock says he is pretty 
clear is neither more or less than a mixture be- 
tween the Welch and a bastard race of long 
horns), I may venture to say that (by the as- 
sistance of my good friend Mr. Samuel Pant- 
all, of Warhamear, Hereford), I have some of 
the highest blood, a few of which I was very 
happy in the opportunity of showing you and 
Mr. Macro; I wished you two would have al- 
lowed me more of the pleasure of your com- 



HISTORY OF II E K E F R D CATTLE 



55 



pany, ami ol' bringing more of my own bred 
tlock under your examination, whieli were un- 
luekily most oi them (cattle and sheep) at ilr. 
t'ator's park, at Beckenham-plaee, and my 
working oxen out in teams. 

'"1 will beg you to remember that I do not 
suppose the true Hereiordshire cattle in re- 
spect to kindly disposition for feeding, or deli- 
cacy of fiesh, to more than equal the true bred 
Sussex. But that they are yet more complete 
in their make, generally wider and fuller over 
the shoulders or fore chine, and the breast or 
brisket, also in the after part of the rump, 
which is much oftener narrow and shelly in the 
Sussex than the Hereford; the mouse-buttock 
or ham apt not to be so round. 

"It is time to apologize for the tedious length 
of my letter and also for speaking so freely 
on some of the expressions above alluded to. 
Allow me to put you in mind that you have told 
us (who are of a different opinion from you in 
those points) that one person has 'established 
the superiority of his breed to all others beyond 
an idea of question or competition,' that the 
disposition to fatten, in that person's breed, is 
so much greater and beyond all others as to 
make a parallel absurd, which was surely rather 
unnecessarily treating other people's breed, 
other people's opinion, with more contempt 
than they deserved, so I hope to be more easily 
pardoned by you; and am, sir, 

"Your most humble servant. 

"J. H. Campbell. 
"To Arthur Young, Editor. 

"P. S. — When I had the pleasure of your 
eomjiany here, I understood you meant to feed 
some cattle on bean-meal, and that you had not 
])racticed it before; if so, it might not be known 
to you, or immediately occur, that chaffing hay 
anci mixing it with the bean-meal, will keep 
the beasts' mouths clean, and stomachs from be- 
ing clogged, and much promote their feeding, 
as I have heretofore experienced, which makes 
me take the liberty of mentioning it. 

"I beg your ])ardon — ^lore last words. 

"When you set down the different articles of 
my stall-feeding, from which you cast up the 
daily expenses, I believe the grains were set 
down at a bushel per day and the meal at a 
peck; if so. you will remember I mentioned 
those quantities as the largest that the cattle 
were brought to eat toward the finishing of 
their fattening. It should be noticed also that 
some time lapses after their coming into the 
stalls before they have any grains, then on 
grains some time before any meal is added; 
then begin the meal at the ]iroportinn of a quart 
to the bushel of grains, and by degrees only to a 



]>ick toward the latter end. At this present time 
of writing they have but one-fourth of a bushel 
of grains (this, indeed, because the quantity of 
grains I get will not go to more per head of the 
number of beasts in the upper shed, and my 
people had given grains to all in that shed be- 
fore I came home and I did not think it right 
to put any of them from it again), and with the 
one-fourth bushel of grains they have now one- 
lifth bushel of the sort of meal I mentioned to 
you. 

•'So, taking the average of daily cost of food 
from their coming into the stalls to their going 
out, I believe you will not find me much wrong 
in my reckoning one shilling (35 cents) per ox 
per day, and supposing the dung to pay for lit- 
ter and attendance. My garden having re- 
quired supply at different times in different 
carts, as I could spare them to carry it, and the 
very many matters I had to set to rights on my 
farm, etc., since I came here, prevented me, 
hitherto, from taking a true account of the 
quantity of dung made. 

"As to the value per load (what four horses 
draw from London to this neighborhood) I 
have, since you were here, enquired of a sensible 
farmer, my near neighbor, who told me he has 
given and should always be glad to do it when- 
ever he had occasion for more manure than was 
made by his stock, five shillings ($La5) per 




HAMPTON LODGE (NEAR HEREFORD), OCCUPIED BY 
JOHN HEWER, 1S35-1846. 



such load. Spit dung lie allowed not so good 
as my stall dung, and when I said the bringing 
it, he added 7s (id ($L8r) per load, he said, cer- 
tainly it could not be called less, he rather 
thought it should be more. This is one in- 
stance that shows how necessary it is to take 
locality into consideration in valuing." 

The following is extracted from another let- 
ter of J. H. Campbell to Editor Arthur Young : 



56 



HISTOEY OF HEEEFORD CATTLE 



"III your review of Sussex you say the Sussex 
are not so broad and heavy in the shoulder as 
the Herefords, but whether this is a fault will 
admit of argument. I wish you would give me 
what appeared to you as such, but I can con- 
ceive none. Mr. Ellman is plainly of my opin- 
ion by the rules given you. Speaking of the 
joints as particular in a Herefordshire ox, you 
say great breadth before; you ought to have 
added behind also. No ox, I am sure, will jiass 




PAL.MERS COURT. HOLMER, OCCUPIED BY JOHN 
HEWER, 1848-1850. 

for a good one in Herefordshire which has not 
good hind quarters as well as good fore ones." 

(11 49) Copy of Queries Anent Feeding 
Cattle on Potatoes, with the answers which 
were written to them, published in the "Annals 
of Agriculture." 

As Mr. Campbell's answers will not be ex- 
actly to the same terms he will beg to promise 
that he is satisfied beyond a doubt (though 
aware the contrary is the established custom) 
that the weight of an ox can be no rule to judge 
by as to the quantity of food he will require to 
make him fat, or how much of it he will con- 
sume in a day; nothing being easier than to 
choose two oxen (of even the same breed) of 
equal weight that would require very different 
quantities of the same food to make thera fat, 
and would also consume very different quanti- 
ties of it in a day, still greater difference if 
chosen from different breeds. A large ox, hav- 
ing more lean flesh, will, to be sure, allow, with 
propriety, of being carried to a greater degree 
of fatness than the ox that has not so much 
lean flesh to put with it. But the time and the 
quantity of any food required to make any 
beast fat does, in Mr. C.'s opinion, depend 
largely upon the thriving disposition (easily 
known by the view and handling) and not in 
the least on his weight. 



Query 1st. — What quantity of potatoes on 
an average may be sufficient to fat an ox of any 
good weight, suppose 100 stone (1,400 pounds)!-' 

Mr. C. is of opinion that about 100 bushels 
of potatoes, with a little hay added to or given 
between every meal of them, amounting on the 
whole, while consuming the 100 bushels of po- 
tatoes, to about 7 cwt., would bo sutticient to 
complete the fattening of any ox that was a 
tolerable good thriver. 

Query 2nd. — How many in a day, how often, 
any preparation or cutting? 

Cattle generally take to the eating of potatoes 
as readily as any other food, but some will de- 
cline them for a few days, but if they take to 
them directly, they should be allowed iDut small 
quantities at first and increased by degrees to 
any quantity they will come to eat with appe- 
tite, always intermixing the dry food and regu- 
lating that by the effect the potatoes are ob- 
'served to have; that is, if the cattle become very 
lax, to increase the proportion of dry food until 
that alters again. 'Mr. Campbell, being of opin- 
ion that the more an ox can be brought to eat 
(with appetite) in a day, the sooner he will be- 
come fat, and consequently the cheaper and 
with more profit, never puts them to allowance, 
but thinks, when feeding altogether on potatoes 
(with only a drying quantity of hay), the aver- 
age daily consumption per ox would be about 
one bushel, though many could be brought to 
eat one bushel and a half, some even two bush- 
els some days. With potatoes, as with every 
other sort of food, it will be supposed that any 
one ox will vary much in the quantity he eats 
on different days. Reckoning the potatoes and 
accompaniment of hay as one meal there ought 
to be at least five servings. Perhaps when the 
days are the shortest there may hardly be time 
for so many, but they should be multiplied as 
the days grow longer. Mr. C. always begins 
with a very little hay: small quantities at the 
intermediate meals, but ends at night with as 
much as they will be supposed inclined to eat, 
not having any potatoes with them at night, 
lest (though very unlikely to happen) any 
might stick in their throats. 

Mr. C. never has any cut, except when an ox 
at first rejects them, a few to coax him to eat 
them. If they have much dirt sticking to them 
they are washed by putting them in a long 
trough under a ]iump or run of water and rat- 
tling them about with a birch broom or some 
such operation to clear them from gross dirt, 
but that can very seldom be necessary. They 
are stored in oblong pits in the dry ground, 
as nigh hand the place where they are to be 
used as mav be, and with care not to let wet 



TIISTOKY OF HEHEFOKD CATTLE 



in and to c-ovor tlio cml soon when they are 
taken out; tlicy keep quite good till grass 
eonies in. 

C^uery 3d. — Does Mr. Campbell give any 
stated (juantity of hay, or as much as the ox 
will eat? 

This is answered by what is said above. 

(^iiery 4th. — Is any corn or meal necessary, 
and at what expense, if so? 

None nece.^sary. An ox may be as complete- 
ly, and to as high a degree, fattened on pota- 
toes and hay, as it is possible he should be on 
any food; and beef so fed remarkably good. 
Hut a variety of any such sort of food as men- 
tioned in this query, given in addition, does, 
in Mr. C.'s opinion, bring the ox on yet faster, 
and therefore when such food is to be had at 
a moderate price he should always incline for 
using it as, according to his way of thinking, 
it would tend to make the whole of the feed- 
irig come more profitable, and. that is 
cheaper. Mr. Campbell, in his present sit- 
uation, gets some brewer's grains, and to as 
many of his feeding oxen as the quantity he 
gets will serve he gives, to two about a bushel, 
among which is mixed about a peck of pollard 
or sometimes pea or bean-meal coarsely 
ground, whichever of these or such like matters 
hapjien at the time to be cheapest (he means 
a price cheapest in proportion to the feeding 
<liiality of the particular article). 

(^uery .")th. — Is there anything particular in 
the management of the cattle thus fattened 
which the above queries do not include? 

The greatest difiiculty that Mr. C. finds in 
bringing the people who have the care of the 
cattle to the trying of his directions, is to break 
them of the practice of giving too much at a 
time. If this is done, it disgusts the beast, puts 
him oflf his appetite and wastes the food. If, 
when an ox has eaten iip what was put before 
him. he craves, he should have more given him, 
but as near as may be, no more should be given 
than he will clear; some will, how'ever, remain, 
and before they are served again, whatever is 
left should be taken away; and that never 
should be wasted, itr. C. has always some milk- 
ing cows or some other cattle tied near, to which 
such leavings of the feeding cattle are given. 

Mr. C. places much dependence for the thriv- 
ing of feeding cattle on their being kept clean. 
'I'he ]iart of their mangers in which the hay is 
given them, is (whenever fresh is jiut in) 
cleaned from dirt and dust, and the division 
for ])otatoes, or (if any) meal, or such like feed, 
cleaned up with a blunt-pointed trowel every 
morning after they have been served, and whilst 
they are feeding on their potatoes, their stalls 



are cleaned, all dung and wet litter taken away, 
and what tolerably dry, shaken up, and sutH- 
cient fresh litter strewed over; that invites them 
(as soon as they have satisfied their inclination 
for eating) to lie down; they seem to enjoy the 
clean bed much, and their resting, much. jMr. 
C. presumes it must promote their fattening. 
Mr. C. thinks that combing and carding their 
hides promotes their thriving more than equal 
to the very small portion of time it takes uj), 
and orders that it be done now and then, when- 
ever time for it may be spared from the other 
business of the attendants. 

The following account of an ox fed by J. II. 
Campbell is dated 7th April, 1789: 

An ox of the true Herefordshire breed fed at 
Charlton, near Greenwich, in Kent, was ex- 




VERN HOUSE. HEREFORDSHIRE. PROPERTY OF JOHN 
HEWER. 1S55-1875. 

hibited at Greenwich, on account of his size'and 
beauty. The above-named ox came in a lean 
state to Charlton, the beginning of July, 1787. 
That summer he was kept on coarse grass. In 
the latter end of the autumn, lattermath, but 
of very indifferent quality; first of December, 
put in the stall and had potatoes and hay; 
about Christmas had some grains, also; some 
time after that, pollard mixed with grass, think- 
ing at that time to have sold him in the spring, 
1788, but afterwards determined to keep him 
over to another season (expecting a good in- 
crease of weight on him, as he was then only 
six years old); I turned him out to grass the lat- 
ter end of April, and he continued out until the 
latter end of October, generally in grass of a 
middling quality that many people tliought he 
must fall away and said I should spoil him. 
The two last weeks of that time he had some 
coarse hay in the morning. At the end of Oc- 
tober he was taken to the stall, and had pota- 
toes and hav as before, and then grains after 



68 



HISTORY OF HEEEFOKD CATTLE 



some little^ time, bean and pea-meal mixed, 
added among the grain, beginning with a small 
proportion and increasing by degrees to one- 
fourth of meal to the grains. The 4th of April, 
1789, Mr. Adams, the salesman, sold the ox to 
Mr. Cowldry, at Greenwich, who took him to 
show at Smithfield, and afterwards brought 
him to Greenwich again. It was remarked that 
he walked as well and as easily as any ox com- 
monly fat, and his appetite as good as a lean ox, 
readily eating any hay or potatoes given him, 
and as readily the straw thrown to him for lit- 
ter. 




PARADISE VILLA, MARDEN, NEAR HEREFORD. 
WHERE .lOHN HEWER DIED IN 1S70. 

Measure. Feet. In. 

Length from poll to end of rump 8 3 

Height 5 2 

Girt round the first rib 10 G 

Plumbed to the outside of each first rib 3 3% 

Girt behind the shoulders 9 

Plumbed across the hips 2 9^4 

Ditto the shoulders 2 8% 

Ditto the end rump, or tutts 1 4\4 

Round the leg below the knee 9 

Round the hind leg below the hock 11 

Weights: Live weight was 3,360 pounds. 

The carcass dressed was: Fore-quarters, 
1,016 lbs.; hind-quarters, 896; total fore and 
hind-quarters weighed 1,912 lbs. Fore-quarters 
weighed 120 lbs. more than the hind-quarters. 
Tallow weighed 228 lbs. The hide was not 
weighed, but Mr. Cowldry supposed that it 
weighed 120 lbs. The tongue weighed 12 lbs.; 
heart weighed 9 lbs.; the neck pieces weighed 
20 lbs.; leg pieces weighed 18 lbs. Mr. Cowldry 
said, the blade was not thick or of more weight 
than one of a beast of only 640 lbs., but the en- 
trails were much less than it were commonly in 
beasts of small size, and the liver was less than 
any he had ever met with in any full grown 
beast. Middle sirloin, 62 lbs., sirloin for roast- 
ing, 48 lbs.; decrease, 14 lbs. This ox was sold 
for £70 ($350). 



The following is a letter on the breeds of 
cattle, by Mr. Campbell, in 1790: 

"Charlton, Jan. 2d, 1790. 
"To the Editor of the 'Annals of Agriculture :' 

"Sir: When you favored me with a letter on 
receipt of mine, on the 29th of April last, you 
wrote me that you had seen the advertisement 
of my famous o.x, which you said 'was not 
much to the purpose, in proving the butcher's 
opinion, if he did not keep an account of the 
jiroduct of all its parts; offal, hind and fore- 
quarters, tallow, 'etc., and that such a particu- 
lar would, with the live weights, be valuable 
for the Annals.' In consequence of which I 
should have sent such particulars, but that Lord 
Sheffield informed me that he had sent them to 
you, telling me at the same time that you were 
then gone on a tour abroad. Hoping that you 
are returned well, and may now again be some- 
wluit at leisure for such correspondence as I 
wish to trouble you with, I will Ijeg leave for a 
few words in justification of the advertisement 
and the butcher's opinion you alluded to, and 
which you have before known to be mine also. 

"The advertisement 'presumes that the exhibi- 
tion of that ox would sulliciently prove it to be 
a mistaken notion and direction, that the belly, 
shoulder, and neck, should be light, and that if 
a beast has a disposition to fatten or to be 
heavy in those, it would be found a deduction 
from the more valuable parts.' 

"You, and everybody conversant on these mat- 
ters at all, know that any person, though but a 
toleraljle Judge, could find out, by view and 
handling a beast alive, whether it was defective, 
either in proportionable weights or fatness on 
any piece of the whole carcass. If, therefore, 
a boast is exhibited and submitted to such ex- 
amination, which will be found by everybody 
who does so examine it to excel both in weight 
and fatness on these forbidden parts, and it is 
also found that so far from such excellence 
being at the expense of, and being found a de- 
duction from, the more valuable parts, that 
those more valuable parts are also in the same 
Ix'ast, excellent both as to weighty valuable sub- 
stance and fatness, I cannot conceive how it 
can be denied to be sufficient proof of the fal- 
lacy of the above quotation. 

"When I had the pleasure of showing tliat 
very ox to you at this place I did not under- 
stand that you thought the beast defective in the 
weight or fatness, on any of those valuable parts, 
or on any part of the whole carcass. You will re- 
member I liad at that time declared to you how 
much I disliked such partial rules for ln'c>oding 
cattle; and I really then wished much that if 
you did not see convincing facts in that ox that 



IMS T O H Y F 11 E E E F K D C A T T L E 



59 



you would have been so kind as to have shown 
me why you still adhered to that opinion and 
where (iu that ox) I and all others whom I 
heard speak of him were mistaken. 

"lu my letter, which you inserted in No. (57, 
1 took the lilxTty of observing that in your 
tiid number you (mentioning tliat the Sussex 
cattle were not so broad and heavy in the shoul- 
der as the Herefordshire) said, .'whether this 
is a fault will admit an argument.' I expressed 
my wish that you had expounded the argument 
against its being a fault. You did not favor 
my wish with any notice, either in the Annals 
or in your letter. But as these particulars, by 
which the right and best shape and make to 
be aimed for in breeding cattle are, as you have 
often observed, of much consequence to public 
benefit, as well as to the particular interest of 
every individual who breeds cattle, many or 
few; 1 will still hope you will favor us with the 
argument to prove a light and narrow shoulder 
to be no fault. I still undertake to produce 
you, any day of the year, ocular and manual 
jiroof, that it may be weighty, broad and fat, 
also without being found a deduction from the 
more valuable parts. 

"As by what you said of the advertisement 
above mentioned, I find my last year's weighty 
ox, which you viewed and handled here, did not 
make the impression on you I thought he must, 
and tluit 1 had conceived he did by your not 
tiien mentioning an objection to what I said. 
1 will hope for the favor of your company here 
sf.mi'time this season, when I may have some 
of my feeding stock in a state of proof to that 
impartial equality all parts of a beef may be 
looked for, in res])ect to weight and fatness, as 
well as I shall have lean stock at home whicli 
may afford very intelligent signs of what, with 
the greatest confidence, might be expected, 
when coming to that proof. 

"You mentioned in your 63d number of the 
Annals, when speaking of the stock of this 
place, that I was a 'warm advocate of the 
Herefordshire breed of cattle and sheep;' I am 
so from the result of long experience ; if I am 
Avrong it is not for the want of painstaking, or 
being thoroughly acqiiainted with several other 
l)reeds, and those particularly about which there 
has been most said, at least in the print, as to 
which, after a long continued trial (and in the 
outset of the trial as confident expectation as 
anybody could have of finding them better than 
the Herefords), in the end, being of opinion 
that in most respects they were very greatly in- 
ferior to them. 

"As you have named me of council for the 
Herefordsliire In-eed, vou will allow me to en- 



treat tJiat an evidence, whose testimony (from 
the open, plain manner he believes it in and 
the candid, as well as intelligent manner in 
which he treats every matter of this kind on 
which he has written) is, I think, of much con- 
sequence, and I should presume must neces- 
sarily weigh much with the jury, may have ac- 
cess into court; 1 mean Mr. Marshall, whose 
'Rural Economy of Gloucester,' never that 1 ob- 
served, found admittance, or was taken the 
smallest notice of, in your occasional review- 
ing of agricultural books in the Annals. 

"Whereas, Mr. CuUey's book on live stock 
stands forth very conspicuously in them, and 
is ushered in with such flattering marks of ap- 
probation, and so many very high compliments, 
as most certainly add much more weight to his 
evidence with the jury, than (with submission) 
it seems to me to deserve, and if admitted by 
them as recommended by you, would, indeed, 
completely upset the cause of the Herefords as 
a breed ; for he makes the cattle a strange 
hodge-podge of Welch and some illegitimate, 
that he represents wandering about some two 
or three English counties, and the sheep only a 
degeneracy from the breed, which, in most re- 
spects, I cannot consider as other than one of 
the worst in the kingdom. 




HOL.MER CHURCHYARD, NEAR HEREFORD, WHERE 
JOHN HEWER IS BURIED. 

"As Mr. CuUey has lirought so strong a 
charge against the Herefordshire breed of cat- 
tle and sheep, 1 will beg he may be confronted 
in your court with Mr. Marshall, evidence for 
the defendant, and that they may be placed in 
manner and form as understated: 



Mr. CuIIey's book on Live 
Stock. (1794). Page 21. 
Mentioning the number of 
different breeds of cattle, 
and naming fixed breeds 
with intent afterwards 



be 



Mr. Marshall, in Vol. 11 
of his Rural Economy of 
Gloucestershire (178S-1798). 
Page 226. and between that 
and page 231: "The Here- 
fordshire breed of cattle. 



ays, to point out the taking it all in all. may. 



60 



HTSTOKY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



perfection and imperfec- 
tions of each kind, com- 
pare them with each other, 
and then offer his opinion 
with regard to which are 
best. He says; "As to 
Herefordshire brown cat- 
tle they are, I am pretty 
clear, neither more nor 
less than a mixture be- 
tween the Welch and a 
bastard race of long horns 
that are everywhere to be 
met in Cheshire, Shrop- 
shire." etc. 

Page 39. "It is true they 
draw a few 6xen in Here- 
fordshire." 

Page 179. "The more milk, 
the less beef; whenever we 
attempt to get both we are 
sure to get neither." 

Page ISO. "If it bad not 
been for Mr. Bakewell per- 
haps we might still have 
been groping in the dark; 
at least that great breeder 
was the first I know who 
pointed out the valu- 
able parts and made those 
true distinctions, u n o b- 
served, I believe, before 
his day." 



without risk. I believe, be 
deemed the first breed of 
cattle in this island." Of 
the Fair at Herefordshire. 
20th of October, he says; 
"The most valuable collec- 
tion of cattle 1 have met 
with out of Smithfield, and 
by much the finest show I 
have ever seen." 

In Herefordshire working 
oxen are the particular ob- 
ject of breeding. "Besides 
their superiority as beasts 
of draught and their being 
eligible as dairy stock, they 
fat kindly, at an early age, 
the strongest .proof of their 
excellency as fatting cat- 
tle. I have seen three- 
year-old heifers of this 
breed, to use a familiar 
phrase, as fat as mud; 
much fatter than any heif- 
ers of that age I have seen 
of any other breed, spayed 
heifers of Norfolk excepted, 
♦ *«*■• "Viewing the 
Herefordshire breed of cat- 
tle in this light, which I 
believe to be the true one, 
how unfortunate for the 
rural affairs of these king- 
doms has been the choice 
of the spirited breeders for 
midland counties." 

Again, speaking highly in 



comn 



Ddatii 



the 



im- 



provement in the breeds of 
long-horned cattle and 
mentioning some of the 
differences between them 
and the Herefordshire, he 
says he "hopes soon to have 
an opportunity of digest- 
ing his ideas respecting 
that breed, and, lest infat- 
uated by the fairness of 
their form, I may. in their 
praise, be led beyond the 
truth, I have here com- 
pared their general nature 
with that of a breed (Here- 
ford) which I consider as 
the first the island affords. 
By having a standard to 
refer to, I may be the 
better enabled to regulate 
my judgment." 



"Charlton, Feb. 23, 1790. 
"Sir: Wlien I liad wrote the enclosed (under 
date of Jan. 2d). I fonnd you was not then re- 
turned to this kingdom, therefore laid it aside 



till after the receipt of your printed circular 
letter, which you favored me with. As answers 
to queries in that, from this situation, would 
bo of no use, I will not trouble you on what 
you will be much better informed from other 
hands. I am, sir, 

"Your most humble servant, 

"J. II. Campbell." 

Of interest in connection with the Campbell 
ox, which was slaughtered in April, 1789, we 
give the dimensions of a Hereford cow, owned 
by the Duke of Bedford, some eight years later. 

DIMENSIONS OF HEREFORDSHIRE COW 

In the possession of the Duke of Bedford. 
October, 1797. 



\ Hind quarter 4 

Height of -I Shoulder 4 

j Knee 1 

' Hock 1 

f Dewlap 1 

From the ground to the { Brisket 1 

•■ Chest 1 

Hind quarter from the 
rump to the extrem- 
,„„„,t „, ,^^ / ity of the hip bone... 2 
Length of the -{ ^^J^ p„,[ ^^"^^^^ g 

Face I 

Horn 1 

, Chop 1 

I Cheek and forehead li 

Neck 3 

* Chest 6 

Knee 1 

Round of -; Bone ot the foreleg 

Coronet of the fore foot 1 

Hock 1 

Hind leg bone 

I Coronet of the hind foot 1 
^ Horn 

(Face across the eye 
bones 
Hip 2 




LOTTERY (4101 1S5, CALVED 1S24, BRED BY J. HEWER. 



HIST 1! Y U F 11 E 1! E 1' () U i) CATTLE 



61 



CHAPTER VI. 



"Youatt" ox British Cattle 



One of the importaHt events in the cattle in- 
terest, especially as regards the Herefords, was 
the issuing of what has lieen styled, "Youatt's 
History of British Cattle" (1835), and pur- 
ported to be "a full history of the various 
races."' The author, Mr. \V. Youatt, is rated 
"a scholar, distinguished for the extent, variety 
and elegance of his attainments," "a veterinary 
surgeon." His work was published under the 
auspices of the "Society for the Diffusion of 
Useful Knowledge," of which the following 
were otTicers : Cliairman, The Right Honora- 
ble the Lord Chancellor, F. R. S., member Na- 
tional Institute of France; Vice-Chairman, 
The Riglit Honorable the Lord J. Russell, :M. 
P., Pavmaster of Forces; Treasurer, Wm. 
Tooke, il. P., F. R. S. ; Secretary. Tlios. Coates, 
Xo. 59 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London. These 
cpnimittees were of the leading men of England 
in Parliament, in the church and in common 
business, but as with members of such societies 
in our day, they were not especially interested 
or proficient in agriculture. The north pole or 
a new star were of vastly inore importance to 
tliese scientist^;. It was with the organization 
of the Sniithfield Club in ITilS that we begin 
to make a connected and reliable cattle record. 

That part of Hereford history easiest to es- 
tablish is the pre-eminent fact that as early as 
1766, B. Tomkins, Jr., evolved from the efforts 
of his ancestors a systematic work with a view 
to making a standard, by which, or to which, 
the Hereford breed should conform later. 

Editor Youatt, in giving the history of the 
Herefords, says: "The Herefordshire white- 
faced breed, with the exception of a very few 
Alderney and Durham cows, have almost exclu- 
sive possession of this county. The Herefords 
are considerably larger than the North Devon. 
They are usually of a dull red and some of 
them are brown and even ycdlow. A few are 
brindled, but they are i)rincipally distinguished 
by their white faces, tliroats and bellies. Tn a 
few cases the wliite extends to the shoulders. 
The old Herefords were brown, or red-brown, 
with not a white spot upon them. It is only 



within the last fifty or sixty years that it has 
been the fashion to breed for white faces."' 

"Whatever may be thought of the change of 
color, the present breed is certainly far superior 
to the old one. The hide is considerably thicker 
than that of the Devon, and the beasts are more 
hardy. Compared with the Devon, they are 
shorter in the leg, and also in the carcass; 
higher and broader and heavier in the chine; 
wider and rounder across the hips and better 
covered with fat; the thigh fuller and more 
muscular, and the shoulders larger and 
coarser." He then refers to an ox that belonged 
to the Duke of Bedford, and he quotes Mar- 
shall's opinion as given elsewhere. 

Y'ouatt continues: "They fatten to a much 
greater weight than the Devons, and run to 50 
or 70 score (or 1,000 to 1,-tOO lbs.). A toler- 
able cow will average from 35 to 50 score (700 
to 1,000 lbs.). A cow belonging to the Duke 
of Bedford weighed more than 70 score (or 
more than 1,400 lbs.). An ox belonging to 
Mr. Westear exceeded 110 score (2,100 lbs.). 

"They are not now much used for husbandry, 
though their form adapts them for heavier 
work, and they have all the honesty and docil- 
ity of the Devon ox, and greater strength, if 
not his activity. 

"The Herefordshire ox fattens speedily at a 
very early age, and it is therefore more advan- 
tageous to the farmer, and perhaps to the 
county, that he should go to the market at three 
years old than to be kept longer to he employed 
as a beast of draught. 

"There are few cattle more prized in the 
market than the genuine Hereford. The Dev- 
ons and Herefords are both excellent breeders, 
and the prejudice of Devonshire and Hereford- 
shire farmers being set aside, a cross of the two 
breeds will give the Devons more bulk and 
hardihood, and the Hereford a finer form and 
aetivitv. 

"They are evidently an alioriginal breed and 
descended from the same stock as the Devons. 
If it were not for the white face and somewhat 
large head and thicker neck, it would not at all 



63 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



times be easy to distinguish between a heavy 
Devon and a light Hereford. Their white faces 
may probably be traced to a cross with their 
distant relations, the Montgomeries." 

In his notice of Sussex, he says : "Of the 
Hereford and Sussex, the Hereford beast has 
flesh upon the ribs and sirloin, the Sussex 
more upon the flank and inside. It cannot be 
denied that the Herefords have theirs in the 
best places, and it is on that account that the 
prize is so often adjudged to them at the cat- 
tle shows, and particularly at Smithfield." 

Youatt again says : "In some parts of 
Glamorganshire the pure Herefords are culti- 
vated in preference to any admixtures with the 
native breed. Mr. Bradley, near Cardiff, is 
partial to the Hereford and his stock does not 
yield to many in the neighborhood or the 
country generally." 

Of Monmouth, Youatt says: "In the vale 
district, the farmers were content with the 
Glamorgans, and the better kind of hill cattle. 
Of late years, however, the Herefords have, in 
a manner, superseded both of these breeds." 

Of Dorset, Youatt says : "Concerning the 
Hereford on the Dorset stock the points of su- 
periority said to be gained over the Devon cross 



are larger size, more hardening, and a disposi- 
tion to yield a greater quantity of milk."' 

Of the Devon, after speaking of some trials 
that had been made by the Duke of Bedford, 
in Devonshire, he says: "We are, however, 
compelled to add that the Duke of Bedford has 
to a considerable extent changed his breed at 
Woburn, and the Dcvons have in a gxeat degree 
given away to the Herefords." 

These are a portion of the records that You- 
att gives, outside of the space given to what 
he terms the "History of Hereford Cattle." 

We will now take up some of the items that 
he might have put to their credit, but did not. 
First, the prizes won at the Smithfield Club 
from 1799 to 1834, inclusive, are as follows: 
88 premiums on Hereford oxen, amounting to 
$5,760.00 (£1,152) ; 13 premiums on Hereford 
cows, amounting to $750 (£150) ; total prem- 
iums on Herefords, $6,510.00 (£1,300). 

As against 35 premiums on Shorthorn oxen, 
amounting to $3,175.00 (£635) ; 17 premiums 
on Shorthorn cows, amounting to $925.00 
(£185) ; total premiums on Shorthorns amount- 
ing to $4,100.00 (£820). Showing 53 more 
premiums on oxen at Smithfield for the Here- 
fords than for the Shorthorn. 











••^ 


1 








ES;;>>:'^, 




■^^■1 


1 








g^^^^Qr 


M^'-- } 


f r4 


Kr"-' >r^' 


^ 


m- ^ 


> 


1 / ^-< 


m"^ 




""^-^^M.^ 


■ |(^^^ 


(v 








'^JS 


^s ^ 


' 


\ 


. , ■■ .1 



SOVEREIGN (404) 231, CALVED 1820. BRED BY 
(From an old painting.) 



TTT STORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



63 



We have called attention previously to the 
faet tiiat J. 11. Cam])l)ell, of Charlton, Kent, 
and Mr. Westcar, were Iniyers of Hereford cat- 
tle, at the Hereford Michaelmas fair in Octo- 
ber, 177!), probably earlier and up to 1819. This 
is true at least of Mr. Westcar, and he won the 
first premium at the first Smithfield show in 
17!M) with a Hereford ox. 

Mr. John Westcar livi>d at Cn-slow, Buck- 
inttham. There are rejiortcd sales of his at 
Smithfield at long prices. The first o.\ that 
Mr. Westcar pxhil)ited, and which won first 



K.ightley"s oxen were sold iiy himself, and Mr. 
Westcar's were sold by Mr. Thomas Potter. The 
old and famous breed of Herefords are not so 
large in frame as they were fifty years back, 
and are more complete and mature at an earlier 
age. Nearly all the above high-priced, gigan- 
tic oxen had been worked, and had earned home 
money at the plow and other labor before they 
were fed. At that time it was well known that 
Mr. Westcar had a large close that kept the 
whole of the summer 200 large oxen, and with 
the 200 oxen he fed 300 ewes and their lambs. 




KED ROSE :m. BRED BY MR. JOHN HEWER. 
(This was Mr. Hewer's favorite cow.) 



prize at the meeting of 1700, was bred by Mr. 
Tully, of Huntington, Herefordshire, and was 
a grey six-year-old, fed by Mr. Westcar; weight 
2.108 pounds. He showed also a grass-fed ox 
the same year at 1,806 pounds. 

Mr. Armesley says: "If memory serves me 
right, in the year i812 or 1813, I saw sold in 
the Smithfield Christmas market .50 Hereford 
oxen belonging to the high-famed Mr. Westcar, 
living in the Vale of Aylesbury, that averaged 
.50 guineas ($250) each, making 2,500 guineas 
($12,500). At the same time. Mr. Richard 
Kigbtley, of Castlethorp. Berks, sold 30 Here- 
ford o.ven that averaged 47 guineas ($235) 
each, making 1,-110 guineas ($7,050). Mr. 



and all went to market the same year. It is 
impossible to overrate the vahie of the services 
rendered to the breed by the old graziers." 

Mr. Westcar is reported as saying that the 
heaviest Hereford he ever fed, dead weight, 
weighed 157 stone. 2 pounds (14 pounds to 
the stone, making 2,200 potmds). It is re- 
ported on e.xamination of his books, that thev 
show sales as follows : 

In 1799, Dec. Kith, two oxen to ^Mr. Chap- 
man for £21)0 ($1,000). 

In 1800, Dec. 4th, one ox to :\Ir. Chapman 
for €127 ($635). 

In 1800, Dec. 13th, one ox t.i Mr. Harring- 
ton for £100 ($500). 



64 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



In 1801, Nov. 26th, six oxen to Mr. Giblett 
for £756 ($3,780). 

In 1802, Nov. 26th, one ox to Mr. Giblett for 
£100 ($500). 

In 1802, Nov. 30th, one ox to Mr. Chapman 
for £126 ($630). 

In 1802, Dec. 4tli, two oxen to Mr. Horwood 
for £200 ($1,000). 

In 1803, Dec. 4th, one ox to Mr. Chapman 
for £100 ($500). 

In 1803, Dec. ISJth, one ox to Mr. Reynokls 
for £105 ($525). 

In 1803, Dec. 19th, one ox to Mr. Giblett for 
£105 ($525). 

In 1804, Dec. 5th, one ox to Mr. Giblett for 
£105 ($525). 

In 1805, Dec. 4th, one ox to Mr. Giblett for 
£100 ($500). 

In 1811 Nov. 28th, one ox to Mr. Chandler 
for £105 ($525). 

We have the statement of the historian, Mr. 
John Speed, in 1627, that the Hereford cattle 
were the best-conditioned cattle in England. 

Mr. Gillam says that the Tomkins family 
were breeders for a long time, and Mr. Hay- 





wood also confirms the same. In 1779 Mr. J. 
H. Campbell takes out one ox to slaughter, and 
shows quantity and quality that could not come 
from a mongrel race. 

In 1798 the Smithfield show brings together 
all the breeds of the United Kingdom, and be- 
fore this tribunal the Herefords led the breeds 
of England, and England led the world. 

Up to 1851 all breeds of cattle were shown 
in competition for the best beef animal. As 
near as can be ascertained from the records, 
the relative standing of the Herefords, Short- 
horns, Scotch, and cross-breeds is shown by the 
following statement of the prizes won by the 
different breeds : 

OXEN AND STEEES. 

Herefords won 185 prizes. 

Shorthorns won 82 prizes. 

Devons won 44 prizes. 

Scotch won 43 prizes. 

Sussex won 9 prizes. 

Longhorns won 4 prizes. 

Cross-breeds won 8 prizes. 

Total prizes, 185 won by Herefords; 190 
won by all other breeds. 

The Hereford oxen and steers winning with- 
in five prizes as many as all the other breeds 
combined. 

Mr. Youatt published his so-called "History 
of British Cattle," and made no mention of 
these exhibits and the extraordinary standing 
of the Herefords, as to the prizes won, nor did 
he mention the more extraordinary sales they 
made. 

The following is an extract of winnings as 
between the Herefords and Shorthorns, for a 
period of 36 years, ending with 1835, when 
Youatt wrote his book, and the tabulated state- 
ment herewith shows liow the breeds stood: 



HEREFORDS. 



of Guin- Dol- 



■■THE TICK-FACE." 

(fhotograjili fium life, in ISOl, of a cow bred by the late 

K. B. Arnjour, and descended Irom Hewer stock.) 



Year. 


prizes. 


1199 .. 




ISOO .. 


4 


IsOl .. 




ISO:! .. 


4 


IMi .. 




1805 .. 


2 


1806 .. 




1S07 .. 


2 


180S .. 


3 


1809 .. 


2 


1810 .. 


3 


1811 .. 


1 


1812 .. 


2 


1813 .. 


2 


1814 .. 


2 


ISlii .. 


4 


1S16 .. 


2 


1817 .. 


1 


1818 .. 


3 


1819 .. 


2 


1820 .. 


4 


1821 .. 


3 


1S22 .. 


2 


1823 . . 


4 


1824 ,. 


1 



Year. 
1799 
1800 
1801 
1802 
1803 
1S04 
180,1 
1806 
1807 
1808 
1809 
1810 
1811 
1812 
1813 
1814 
1815 
1816 
1817 
ISIS 
1819 
1820 
1S21 
1822 
1S23 
1824 



SHORTHORNS. 

No. of Guin- Dol- 
prizes. eas. lars. 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



65 



Year 

1825 

1S26 

1.S27 

1.S2S 

I.S29 

1S30 

1S31 



IIEREFORDS. 
No. of Guin- Dol- 
prizcs. eas. lars. 



SIIOKTIIOKNS. 

No. of Guin- 

Year. prizes. 

1825 3 

1826 2 

1827 1 



eas. 



Total .... 93 1412 



1829 
1830 
1831 
1832 
1S33 
1834 
1835 



Total .... 37 



l-'i-diii Yoiiatt is Ifarned that tliroughout the 
ulidlc (if Gloucesturshire the Horel'ords were 
IMflVrivd for working and for fattening. In 
thi> notice of the Sussex cattle, ^'ouatt tells us 
that it cannot be denied that the llerefords 
carry their fat on the best places, "and it is on 
this account that the prize is so often adjudged 
to them at the cattle show at Smithfield ;"" an 
ob.-^ervation that proves that Youatt was well 
aware of the success of the Herefords, although 
he did not mention the fact in his account of 
the breed. 

lie also quotes a remark by Arthur Young, 
editor of the "Annals of Agriculture," that 
"both in quality of flesh, thriving disposition, 
etc., iioth the Sussex and Devons exceeded the 
Stalfordsliire Longhorns and the Herefords left 
them far behind." 



According to Youatt the Hereford had at 
that time spread over much of the kingdom. 
In Dorset some farmers were, with every prob- 
ability of success, engrafting the Hereford on 
the Dorsetshire stock. Three points of superi- 
ority were said to b(> gained by the Hereford 
over the Devon cross — a larger size, more hard- 
iness, and a disposition to yield a greater quan- 
tity of better milk. 

In Somerset some of the dairy cows were red 
with a white face, which marked the Hereford 
cross. In some parts of Glamorganshire the 
pure Herefords were cultivated in preference 
to any mixture with the native breed. 

"In Radnorshire," says Youatt, "they have 
principally had recourse to the Hereford as a 
cross with their own cattle, and though they 
have thus ])roduced a beast large and too capa- 
ble of yielding beef to be perfected on their 
poor land, they have obtained one that will 
thrive and pay otherwise, and that will find a 
ready market." 

Of the Montgomeryshire cattle, he says: 
"The native cattle bear considerable resem- 
blance to the Devons, but in the grazing dis- 
tricts they are generally abandoned for the 
Herefords, which are found to be suitable to the 
soil and climate, and are better feeders. Con- 




LADY BYRON 218 (CALVED 1833). BKEp BY JOHN HEWER. SOLD FOR i:uii 10s, or $1,730. A ■■TICK-FACE." 



66 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



siderable attention is here paid to the dairy, 
and particularly to the production of cheese, 
which is little inferior to the Cheshire. About 
nine months feeding with grass, hay and tur- 
nips, will add about three score pounds weight 
to each of their quarters."" 

In Breconshire, recourse had been had to 
the Devons and Herefords, with evident advan- 
tacfe in favor of the Hereford both for work 



were struggling for superiority on the grazing 
ground. 

When writing of the Monmouthshire cattle 
Youatt said: "The Herefords will never find 
their way into the dairy; they belong to the 
graziers and butchers,"" to which he appends a 
foot-note by Mr. Walker, of Burton in War- 
wickshire, who tells him that this is too strongly 
expressed, it being his opinion that "they want 




Weight, 1 ton IG c 
ever produc 



"Robert Hewer. 



COTMORE (376) 150, CALVEII 1836, BRED BY T. .JEFFRIES, 
vt. , English, equal to 3.920 American pounds. Champion and acknowledged the greatest bull 
d up to his day. Note. — The above engraving is reproduced from an old painting, on 
the face of which all this matter is written, including the following: 
"Let each succeeding race employ your care. 
Distinguishing which to slaughter, which to spare; 
Mark well the lineage from purest make. 
And from pure blood its just proportions take." 
of the most celebrated herdsmen, fed upwards of 200 winners in different parts of the kingdom." 



and grazing. The cattle on the side of Brecon 
that was nearest to Herefordshire were in a par- 
ticular manner becoming very strongly mixed 
with the Herefords. 

A cross with the Herefords had been with evi- 
dent advantage attempted by the graziers in 
Carmarthenshire. 

In Bedford, the Duke of Bedford had given 
an impetus to the rearing of Herefords. In 
Hampshire the Norman crossed with the Here- 
ford was not injured as a milker while she was 
improved in size, and disposition to fatten. In 
Worcestershire the Herefords and Shorthorns 



nothing but management to bring them into 
the dairy ; being so admirably adapted for the 
grazier, their milk is quite neglected. The 
HerefordsMre farmers want early calves, and 
their cows and heifers calve between the middle 
of December and February after living entirely 
on dry meal, and usually by the time the grass 
comes they are nearly or quite dry, but if the 
Hereford heifer calve for the llrst time at 
grass and about the middle of May, she might 
become a good milker. Some of the cows will, 
under the present management, yield from ten 
to twelve quarts of milk at one time, and their 



HIST O U Y OF H E 1{ E F K D (' A T T L E 



67 



milk ifi siipurior to that of any other cow except 
the Ahleriiey. Tlie quantity of millv given by a 
cow will greatly depend on her treatment with 
her iirst calf. If she has not proper feed to 
swell the milk veins at first starting she will 
never afterwanls make a good milker. The 
Hereford cow seldom has a fair chance here. 
1 speak from experience," he says, "for I have 
had much to do with the Herefords for several 
years, and have had many good milking cows 
of that breetl," to which Jlr. Youatt says, 
"tlu'sc are very important observations, and 
alliioiigh we are not sufficiently convinced to 
alter what wc have written, and what almost 
universal exjjerience and belief confirm, the 
remarks of Mr. Walker deserve serious atten- 
tion." 

Jlr. Yonatt, in making up the history of the 
Hereford cattle, (juotes from Marshall his de- 
scription of the points on which to judge the 
Hereford breed, but does not quote Marshall 
when he says: "The Herefordshire breed of 
cattle, taking it all in all, may, without risk, I 
believe, be deemed the first breed of cattle in 
this island. Their frame is altogether atliletic, 
with lindjs in most cases sufficiently clean for 
the purpose of traveling (TJS'i). 

"Their form as beasts of draught is nearly 
coinplete. Besides their superiority as beasts 
of draught and their being eligible as dairy 
stock, being in this respect similar to Glouces- 
tershire, the females fatten kindly at an early 
age. — the strongest proof of their excellencv 
as fattening cattle. I have seen three-year-old 
heifers of this breed, to use a familiar phrase, 
as fat as mud : much fatter than any heifers of 
that age that I have seen of any other breed, 
the spayed heifer of Norfolk excepted. 

"Viewing the Herefordshire cattle in this 
light, which I believe to be the true one, how 
unfortunate for the rural affairs of the kingdom 
has lieen the choice of the spirited breeders of the 
midland counties," who had selected the long- 
luirn varietv for their use. Xor does he quote 
Marshall wlien :\Iarshall says that "at the Here- 
ford fair, in October, 17S8, T saw about 1,000 
head of cattle, chiefly of this breed, a large pro- 
portion of them of grown oxen, full of flesh, 
sold for, or were worth, at the selling prices of 
tile day, from Wi ($(iO) to £17 (ifS.';) an ox, 
the most valuable collection T liave met with out 
of Smithfield market, and by much the finest 
show I have anywhere seen." 

These statements, as made liy ^farshall, were 
accessible to Mr. "\'iniatt. and should have been 
used. 

Xeither does Youatt refer to the .1. H. Cam])- 
bell llerefonl ox. shown and slaughtered at 



Greenwich in 1789, whose live weight was 3,360 
pounds and dressed weight 1,912 pounds (for 
the four quarters), and was sold to the butch- 
ers for $350 (£70). Nor does he mention the 
correspondence that grew out of the exhibition 
and slaughter of the animal as contained in the 
"Annals of Agriculture" in Vols. 11, 12 and 13. 

Neither does he refer to the formation of the 
Smithfield Club, nor to the fact that from 1799 
to 1835, inclusive, the Herefords won 93 
premiums, amounting to $7,060, against the 
Shorthorns winning 37 premiums and $3,275. 

Neither does he refer to the sales of fat cattle 
made at Smithfield during the years from 1779 
to 1835, and more particularly of the especially 
well-known sale by Mr. Westcar on Sept. 17th, 
1798, of fifteen oxen at an average of $213, and 
of the still better" known fact that from 1799 
to 1811 Mr. Westcar had sold at Smithfield 
twenty head of Hereford oxen at an average 




COT.MOKE. LYONSIIALL. HEREIi"ORDSHIRE. HOME OF 
MESSRS. JEFFRIES. 

of $531 as butchers' beasts, or that Mr. Westcar 
made a sale of fifty Hereford oxen in 1812 or 
1813 for $250 each. 

These are facts that were matters of record 
in London and accessible to Mr. Youatt, as was 
the fact that at the London market Herefords 
were selling at 5 shillings ($1.35) per hundred 
pounds of dressed weight higher than the 
Shorthorns (Tj 53). 

We have made copious quotations from You- 
att's "History of British Cattle" to reiterate the 
fact that he had information that would 'have 
given the Herefords an entirely different posi- 
tion among British cattle if the facts had been 
accredited to the breed in their history. I re- 
|ieat that in quoting from Marshall, the emi- 
nent agricultural historian, he omitted import- 
ant facts. He recognized that the Herefords 
were successful at the Smithfield Club from its 



68 



II I S T K Y OF H E K E F R D CATTLE 



organization to the time he was writing, but 
fails to give any particulars as to the winnings 
before that society, or the sales that were made 
in the London market, which were accessible to 
i)im. 

Beside the foregoing facts which were in his 
possession and used in the description of other 
lireeds, there were the following leading eyents 
in tlie history of the Hereford cattle that were, 
or might have been, accessible to him : 

First, Mr. John Speed, of London,* in his 
history (ItiST), said of the Herefords, that they 
were the best conditioned cattle in England. 
Again, he fails to notice the work of Mr. Ben- 
jamin Tomkins, commenced in 1766, and con- 
tinued for about fifty years, a successful breed- 
ei- of Hereford cattle and of wide reputation. 
A public sale made of his cattle averaging 
nearly $750 per head, and attracting the atten- 
tion of the kingdom. He also fails to notice 
Mr. John Price, of Kyall, who followed Mr. 
Tomkins, and was a leading Hereford breeder 



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THE SllEKlFFS, LYONSHALL, HEREFORDSHIRE, 
OOCUPIED UY THE JEFFRIES FAMILY. 

at the time he wrote what ]iurports to be a his- 
tory of Hereford cattle, selling cattle of his 
breeding at extraordinary prices. 

He also fails to notice the work of the Hew- 
ers, who wci-c at till' time Hereford breeders of 
national rc|iutali(iii, liaving bulls on hire in 
many counties. 

(TJ ,'5-1 ) lie also fails to notice the weekly 
sales of Hereford cattle at Hereford, and also 
the annual October sales held in Hereford, 
which sales were of national reputation; and 
the fact that graziers of cattle in Buckingham, 
Kent, and other counties .near London, visited 
these fairs and made jnirehases of cattle to be 
fitted for the Lcuidon market, and for exhibi- 



•England, WdlfS. and Scotland described (1627). 



tion at the Smithfield show. While he quotes 
from Mr. Marshall a description and character 
of the Herefordshire o.\ as he had seen them in 
Herefordshire, he fails to notice that Mr. Mar- 
shall says: "The Herefordshire breed of cattle, 
taking it all in all, may, without risk, be 
deemed the first breed of cattle in England, 
their su])eriority as lieasts of draught, and tbeir 
being eligible as dairy stock." All of wliii'h, 
and more of the same import, appears in the 
same article from which Mr. Youatt quotes in 
his history. 

Neither does he take any notice of the forma- 
tion of tile Smithfield Cattle and Sheep Soci- 
ety, which was afterwards changed to the 
Smithfield Club, or of the winnings of the 
Hereford cattle at the first and subsecpient ex- 
hibitions of the society, all of which were a 
matter of record in London on the boolcs of 
the society. 

Having slighted the leading Briti.sh breed of 
cattle (the Herefords) in every coneei\able 
way, Mr. Youatt deliberately delivered the 
preparation of the Shorthorn section of his 
work into the hands of a Shorthorn enthusiast, 
and in embodying it as part of his work, says, 
"for every portion of the te.xt in this excellent 
account of the Shorthorns we are indebted to 
the I\ev. Henry Berry, than whom there are few 
more zealous breeders of cattle, wliile there is 
no l)etter Judge of them." 

In giving a description of the Herefords he 
])resents two cuts, one of a Hereford o.x, and 
the other a cow. in store condition, while for 
Shorthorns and other breeds he gives cuts show- 
ing the animals in full flesh. 

We are thus particular in criticizing Mr. 
■^'ouatl fur the reason that his deseription of 
the Hereford cattle has been (pioted from that 
time to the present day as a correct deseription, 
and his work has been used to the disadvantage 
of the Hereford breed. It would seem that not 
only the Shorthorns were described by Mr. 
Berry, but that Mr. Youatt took Mr. Berry's 
prejudiced and selfish view of the Herefords, 
or that he allowed the Shorthorn fanciers to 
revise and abridge the Heref(n'(l history; cer- 
tain it is (hat he was unfair in writing the de- 
scription, anil unjusl (amounting to eiirie;i- 
ture) in (he cuts (hat he used to illustrate (he 
character of the Hereford breed (H 50). 

When tln' (rue character of Youatt's wr)rk be- 
gan to be realized there was an urgent demand 
for an unbiased history. The Herefords have 
ever been ill the main owned by tenant farm- 
ers, who had nmre eave for pi-oducing a su|)e- 
rior breed (if prnlilable cattle than in advertis- 
ing them. There being no Herefordshire 



HISTORY F 1 1 K R K F O R I) ( ' A T 'I' I. E 



69 



writor to prepare the work, the Scotch ctlitors 
wliosu experience in preparini^ the history of 
tlieir favorites, the polled Ahenleen-Angus cat- 
tle, (lualified them for siieli work, took up the 
matter. TJiey hail no troulile in securinj; many 
of the facts 'that, thou-ii easily aceessilile to 
"i'oiiatt, were ifjnorcil Ijy liiiii, a portion of 
which heinf; so suitable to this work, will close 
this chapter (fl 51). 

Bi'njaniin Tomkins, the younger, drove 20 of 
his cows to Hereford on the day of the agricul- 
tural show, and offered 100 guineas to anyone 
who would show an equal numhcr superior to 
them, hat the challenge was not accepted. 

In 1810, Mr. Meek, of Lichfield, gave a chal- 
lenge to show his Longhorn hull against any 
Hereford for 100 guineas. His challenge was 
acce])ted by ilr. J. W. Walker, Burton Court, 
who sent his bull Crickneck (175) 305 to Lich- 
field, but when he got there it appeared that 
Mr. Meek had made himself acquainted with 
the su]>eriority of ilr. Walker's bull, and rather 
than submit to defeat, allowed judgment to go 
by default in favor of the Hereford. 

Mr. Haywood, of Blakemere, and Mr. Hill, 
Felliampton Court, have portraits of the Herc- 
for<l bull Prizefighter, bred by ^Ir. Sam- 
uel Haywood, Clifton-on-Teme. The inscrip- 
tion on the painting states that he was "shown 
at Shifnal, -^Dth December, 1800, by Mr. Tench, 
of Bromfield, against Mr. Knowlcs, of Nailston, 
Tjcieester (whose nomination would doubtless 
have been Longhorn), to decide a bet of 100 
guineas; determined in favor of the Hereford- 
shire liy Mr. Pestcar, Somersetshire."' 

Mr. Price, of Ryall, issued two challenges. 
In 181",i he gave a challenge to be decided at 
Lichfield Agricultural Meeting, to show 20 of 
his cows in milk against 20 Longhorn cows for 
mo guineas, whicli was accepted by Jlr. Meek, 
and was decided in ^Ir. Price's favor. In 1839 
Mr. I'rice sent fortli a public challenge to show 
211 cows and a bull of his own breeding against 
the same number of any other person's breed- 
ing, or any breed, open to all England, but no 
one came forward to accept it. 

Mr. Wevman, of Stockton, challenged all 
England with his bull Stockton (237) 1(17 for 
."iO(i guineas, which was accepted by one of the 
Tomkins family, who. however, afterwards 
withdrew, leaving Mr. Weyman the victor. 

Mr. Turner, of Aymestry, in 1803 ofl^ered to 
show a six-year-old Herefordshire o.\, of his 
own breeding, against any breeder in the county 
of Hereford, or any adjoining county, for 100 
guineas, for "weight and least coarse meat." 

Mr. Walker, of Burton, was ofFered CO 
guineas ($300) by ^Mr. T. Day, the exhibitor 



of the Durham 



I'o 



four-year-old work- 



in 1825, at the Smithlield Club, there was a 
sweepstakes between three Herefords ijelonging 
to the Duke of Bedford and tbrce Durhams be- 
longing to the Right Hon. Chas. Arbuthnot. 
which was won by the Herefords. 

The preparation of an account of what the 
Herefords have done in the show yards espe- 
cially engaged the attention of Mr. William 
Housman, whose intimate acquaintance with 




HOPE (139) 324, CALVED 1.S36, ORED BY T. JEFFRIES. 

the history of the breed is well known. In 
order, how-ever, to trace the progress of the 
breed it is desirable to briefly refer here to some 
of their early achievements at shows. The . 
Smithfield Cluh and the Agricultural Society 
of Hereford were founded about the same 
time. The Smithfield Club was instituted 
under the title of the Smithfield Cattle 
and Sheep Society, at a meeting held in De- 
cemlier, 1798, the name by which it is now so 
widely and favorably known having been 
adopted in 1802. The history of the club has 
heen written by the late Sir Brandreth T. 
Gibbs. From this valuable little book we 
learn many interesting details regarding the 
position taken by the Herefords at the early 
shows. 

At the first show, held in 1799, Mr. Westcar's 
first prize bullock, a Hereford, sold for 100 
guineas ($500), was 8 ft. 11 ins. long, 6 ft. 7 
ins. high, and 10 ft. 4 ins. girth. In his Ciren- 
cester lecture ]\Ir. Duekham said that from the 
dimensions given upon a colored print which 
he then exhibited together with the names of 
the feeder and purchaser, all corresjionding 
with the figures given liy Sir Brandreth T. 
(Jibbs, he had no doubt it was intended to rep- 
resent this prize animal of Mr. Westcar's. If 
so, says Mr. Duekham, he was bred by Mr. 



;o 



H I S T E Y OF H E E E F K D CATTLE 



TuUy, Huntington, ni'ar Hereford; his weight 
was 247 stone (3,458 lbs.), and he bore the dis- 
tinctive marks of the red with white face, with 
the exception of the white stripe which now ex- 
tends along the back, and just over the shoul- 
ders, being shown in the picture as far as the 
hip bones, and it also differed from the modern 
markings by the lower part of the legs being 
i-ed instead o-f white. We may add that the 
drawing in Garrard's book removes any doubt 
as to the identity of this animal, which was un- 
questionably bred by Mr. Tully. 

At the sliow in 1799 it is also stated that Mr. 
Grace, of Buckinghamshire, exhibited a Here- 
ford ox 7 ft. high, which weighed upwards of 
860 stone (3,li40 lbs.) and measured in girth 
13 ft. 4 ins. Among the other winners at this 
inaugural show of the Smithfield Club were 
the Duke of Bedford and Mr. John Ellman, 
both of whom were breeders of Herefords; the 
latter had the prize for the best ox fattened with 
grass and hay only, in the shortest time from 
the yoke. 

It is thus apparent that the Herefords con- 
stituted a very important feature of the inaugu- 
ral show of the 'Smithfield Club. 

Among other curious details mentioned by Sir 
Brandreth T. Gibbs, in connection with the 
meeting in 1812, were the following: "A Here- 
ford with a red ring round the eye," and a 
"smooth-coated Hereford." Mr. Duckharti 
points out that these apparently trivial cir- 
cumstances go far to prove that at that time it 
was expected that Herefords should have white 
faces and rough coats. 



From tlie establishment of the Smithfield 
Club to the year 1851 all the dirt'ereijt breeds 
and cross-breeds of cattle were exhibited at its 
show in competition with each other, except 
during the p)eriod from 1807 to 1815, when 
there was a classification of breeds* separate 
classes being assigned for Herefords, Long- 
horns, Shorthorns, Sussex, or Kent, Dcvons, 
and mixed breeds. Some of the records of the 
early shows are incomplete, but Sir Brandreth 
T. Gibbs states that during the time the breeds 
couijx'ted together — that is, before the new 
classilicalion in 1S52 — the general prizes were 
thus distributed: 



The Hereford oxen won 185 prizes. 
The Hereford cows won 32 prizes. . . 



The Sliorthorn oxen won 82 prizes. 
The Shorthorn cows won 93 prizes. 



.$13,790 
. 1.155 

$14,945 

.$ G.995 
. 5,(>()5 

$13,660 



The result, says Sir Brandreth T. Gibbs. 
shows that the number and amount of general 
money prizes was vastly in favor of the Here- 
fords, their principal winnings being in the 
oxen and steer classes. The Shorthorns owed 
the fact of their approaching the Herefords in 
total amount of winnings to the success of the 
Shorthorn cows. 

The Agricultural Society of Hereford, we 
are glad to say, under the name of the Here- 
fordshire Agricultural Societv, conducted with 




L,AUY UKOVE. CALVKD Ib'JU. AND CALF, FOIG-A-BALLAGII. UKEl) BY T. JEFFRIES. 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



71 



vigor and success, was established in 1797, its 
object being "to carry the breed of cattle and 
sheep as to ticeee and carcass to the greatest 
points of perfection." 

The old minute boolvs of the society have not 
been fountl, and for notices of the early shows 
we are indebted to coutemporary newspapers. 
At the show of June, 1799, the first prize for 
best bull not exceeding 20 months old was 
awarded to John Apperley, Withington; and 
that for the best bull not exceeding three years 
and seven months old, to Samuel Tully, Hunt- 
ington. 

At the show in June, 1800, it is reported that 
there was an exhibition of cattle of very supe- 
rior form and beauty. "Great praise," says 
the Hereford Journal of that date, "is due to 
those gentlemi'n who so warmly patronize this 
institution, which, whilst it ultimately pro- 
motes the interest and advantage of the farm- 
ers and breeders, will extend and perpetuate the 
fame of the county for a species of stock al- 
ready in reputation with competent judges." 

The first prize for best bull was awarded to 
ilr. Croose. Sugwas, for a bull bred by Mr. 
Jones, Fawley, for best yearling bull to Joseph 
Tully, Haywood, and for best heifer to Mr. 
Skyrme, of Stretton. 

At the show in Jlarch, 1801, it was an- 
nounced that the following gentlemen and 
farmers intended exhibiting bulls: Mr. Wey- 
nuin, ^foreton; C. Bodenham, Rotherwas; H. 
Moore, Wellington ; J. G. Cotterell, Garmons ; 
E. Waring, Lvonshall ; T. A. Knight, Wormes- 
ley Grange {2); S. Tully, Huntington (2). 
Thirteen bulls were presented for the two 
premiums, and the most successful exhil)itors 
were ilr. Smith, of Sufton, and Mr. H. Moore, 
Wellington. 

Another show was held in June, 1801, when 
the prize winners were Mr. J. Tully, Haywood, 
and Mr. Williams, Thingehill. The report on 
the sliow in March. 1802, states that it seemed 
to be the general ojiinion that so many fine ani- 
mals of the sort were never seen together be- 
fore. The successful exhibitors were the two 
Messrs. Tullv, of Huntington and Havwood ; 
yir. rowell, of Titley; Mr. Galliers. of "King's 
Pvon, and Mr. Apperlev, of Withington. The 
bulls of Lord Essex, 'Colonel Cotterell, Mr. 
Croose, of Ocle : Mr. Lowe, of Gatterton ; j\Ir. 
Lewis, of Burghill, and ilr. Moore, of Barton- 
sham, were also, it is added, much admired. 

Certificates were received from nearly all the 
candidates that their animals had not beeii fed 
with corn or straw imperfectly threshed, during 
the last six months; and in future, says the 
chronicler, this is to be made an express condi- 



tion, without which no animal is to be entitled 
to a premium. 

At the first show of the Royal Agricultural 
Society at Oxford, in 1839, the Herefords made 
a very good appearance, and the Rev. J. R. 
Smythies, of Lynch Court, won the first prize 
for the best cow in milk, "which," in the opin- 
ion of the judges, "was best calculated for dairy 
purposes."' Mr. T. Jeffries, of The Grove, was 
first for Hereford bulls with Cotmore (376) 
150, full of Hewer blood. Mr. Walker, North- 




HOPE (439) 324, CALVED 1836, BRED BY T. JEFFRIES. 
(From an old painting.) 

leach, was first for cows; Mr. J. Hewer first 
for yearling bulls, Mr. J. Walker, Burton, first 
for bull calves, and Mr. E. West first for heifer 
calves. 

The favor in which the breed was held by 
graziers, the numerous challenges, most of them 
resulting successfully for the Herefords, the 
victories at Smithfield, and the spirit exhibited 
at the meetings of the County Society — all 
tend to show that the breed was constantly im- 
proving; that the farmers of Herefordshire 
were proud of their cattle, and that their mer- 
its were attracting widespread attention. 

N"arrow in its treatment of the Herefords 
and partisan to the Shorthorns as was the orig- 
inal Youatt's work, the American revised and 
abridged edition was narrower and more parti- 
san and fraudulent, eliminating most of the 
little that Youatt had admitted. The Ameri- 
can edition, edited by Ambrose Stevens, issued 
in 1851, and purporting to be Youatt's work, 
was purely a Shorthorn advertisement. The 
almost criminal fraud against the Herefords 
being thus introduced in the preface: 

"In presenting an edition of Youatt to the 
American public, the American editor may 
justly say, that of all the treatises on cattle, 
none is so valuable as his. Mr. Youatt was a 
n)an of rare ability; a scholar, distincuished 



72 



HISTOEY OF HEEEFORD CATTLE 



for the extent, variety and elegance of his at- 
tainments ; for his power of research, historical, 
and scientific ; for the brilliancy of his style ; 
and as a veterinary surgeon of jDrofound knowl- 
edge, in both the science and practice of his art, 
and of devotion to its pursuit. Scarcely any 
man of all the world was so happily fitted as 
he to produce a great historical and medical 
work on cattle. 

"And while he was so peculiarly qualified to 
write such a work, the circumstances that orig- 
inated it were eminently the ones to insure him 
success in the undertaking. An association ex- 
isted in England, under the name of 'The So- 
ciety for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge.' 
Men of eminence in every variety of learning 



were its members; the publication of practical 
treatises in all departments of useful knowl- 
edge, its object. Appreciating the ability of 
Mr. Youatt to give the world a valuable work 
on the history, breeds, management, and dis- 
eases of cattle, this society enlisted him in its 
production. 

"In preparing this treatise for publication, 
the American editor has abridged it of the his- 
tory of local and inferior In'eeds of cattle in 
England, in which the American farmer and 
amateur has no interest. There is not a page 
in the whole but has been carefully considered, 
and where it required its matter advanced 
to the present state of knowledge on the 
subject." 




MOXKHOUSE. THE BLIND VETERAN OF THE 
STOWE. 



11 1 S T a Y F 11 K II E F U K D C A T T L E 



73 



CHAPTER VII. 

The County ok Hkrefokd — Hkkefokdsiiire 



II is of interest to know nhnnt the section 
of England where the best breed of beef eattlc 
of the present day originated. Probably no 
more avithentic or reliable information can Ijc 
obtained than the account as given in the "En- 
cyclopedia Britannica." 

It will be seen in the parliamentary returns 
of 1873 that some of the well-known thorough- 
bred Hereford cattle breeders were large land 
owners. The Hon. J. H. Arkwright (who bred 
our famous Sir Richard 2d (9702) 4978 and 
Mr. Sotham's recently imported sensational 
Improver (19206) 94020) having over ten 
thousand acres; Sir A. R. Boughton Knight 
over ten thousand acres, and Lord Bateman 
(IJS.j), who bred the first cattle imported by 
Jlr. F. W. Stone, nearly seven thousand acres. 

"The English county of Hereford is on the 
south border of Wales. Its greatest length 
from Ludford by Ludlow to the Doward Hills 
near Monmouth is 38 miles ; its greatest breadth 
fiom Cradley to Clifford, near Hay, is 3-5 
miles. The country is well watered with nu- 
merous rivers and is pre-eminently a grazing 
district. The climate is variable, owing to the 
damp and fogs, which moisten the earth and 
account for its great verdure as well as its large 
proportion of timber, not only in parks and on 
landed estates, but almost on every hedgerow. 

"The surface of the country is undulating 
in long ridges (^ .56), as if by subterranean 
ripples. Ash and oak coppices and larch plan- 
tations clothe its hillsides (TJSO) and crests. 
Its low lands are studded with pear and apple 
orchards, of such productiveness that Hereford- 
shire sometimes, as well as Kent, is called the 
garden of England. 

"Tlrrcfnrdshirp is also farnons as a hreedwq 
roiinli/. for its cattle of bright red line, tntli 
mottled or white faces and sleek and silky coats. 



The Ilerefords are a stalwarl and hcaUhy breed, 
and put on more meat and fat at an early age 
in proportion to food consumed than almost 
any other variety. They produce the finest beef, 
and are more cheaply fed, than Devons or Dur- 
hams, with which they are advantageously 
crossed. 

'"Breeders' names from this county are fa- 
mous at the national cattle shows, and the num- 
ber, size and cjuality of the stock are seen in 
their supply of the metropolitan and other mar- 
kets. Prize Herefords are constantly exported 
to the colonies. 

"Agricultural horses of good quality are bred 
in the north and saddle and coach horses may 
be met with at the fairs, especially Orleton, 
Brampton, Bryan, and Huntington." 

LIVE STOCK. 

Horses 21.206 

Cattle 77,403 

Sheep 340,741 

Pigs 24.169 

"According to the parliamentary returns of 
1873, the county was divided among 13,731 
proprietors, owning a total area of .506, .5.59 
acres, with a rental of £924,640 ($4,623,200). 
Of the proprietors 9,085 (66 per cent) held 
less than one acre; 2,478 (18 per cent) held 
between one and ten acres. (Tf 61) 

"The owners of the largest holdings are J. 
H. Arkwright (T| 57), Hampton Court, Leo- 
minster, 10.559 acres; A. R. Boughton Knight, 
Downton Castle, 10,081 acres; R. D. Harley, 
Brampton-Bryan, 9,869 acres; Sir Geo. H. 
Cornewall, Moccas, 6,946 acres; Lord Bateman, 
Shobdon Court (TJ 58), 6,815 acres; Earl Som- 
ers, Eastmor Castle, 6,668 acres." 



74 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



CHAPTER YIIL 



The Smithfield Club; National Show 



The records of the Sniithfield Club are mat- 
ters of history, that record the first authentic 
victories of the Hereford cattle. The character 
of this great national society, the nature and 
importance of its exhibits, are important, as 
for over one hundred years they have been the 
court of last resort for exhibitors of the meat 
producing animals of Great Britain. Cattle 
of all breeds and crosses were shovs^n in one gen- 
eral class, as fat cattle, before this society until 
the year 1852, when the several breeds were sep- 
arated and shown by themselves. 

"The Annals of Agriculture" contain an ac- 
count of the formation of this club, by the 
Smithfield Cattle and Sheep Society, by common 
agreement, December 17th, 1798, being the 
market day before Christmas. The Duke of 
Bedford in the chair. 

''Wo, the underwritten, do hereby agree to 
institute a society open to all subscribers, to 
the premiums hereafter mentioned, and subject 
to such conditions as should be agreed upon by 
a committee to be named this evening. The 
subscriptions, 10s 6d ($2.62), each to be paid 
immediately." (TI 62) 

Thirty-seven persons subscribed and paid 
their initiation fees, agreeing tnat Mr. Arthur 
Young be empowered to receive other subscrib- 
ers, and that each candidate for a prize should 
give Mr. Young one month's previous notice ; 
then Mr. Young should inform the candidate 
of the time. and place of showing. That it is 
the intention of the present committee to give 
premiums to the best beasts fed on grass, hay, 
turnips or cabbage; and to the best fed on corn 
or oil cakes. The meeting then adjourned to 
the Duke of Bedford's Sheep Shearing at Wo- 
burn, the 17th of June next. 

Expenses of the first show in 1799 were £101 
(":^.n05). Rf^ceipts were £100 ($500). 

The following extracts from the minutes of 
the vSmithfiold Club from its organization show 
the splendid work of this most powerful of fac- 
tors in the encouragement of British breeds of 
live stock. 

1798. At a meeting of the agriculturists 



held December 17th, 1798 (being Smithfield's 
great market day), the "Smithfield Cattle and 
Sheep Society" was founded by mutual consent. 
Present : Francis, Duke of Bedford, in the 
chair; Mr. J. W. Wilkes, of Measham, the orig- 
inal proposer, and twenty-nine others, includ- 
ing Lord Somerville, John Hennet, the Earl 
of Winchelsea, John Westcar, Richard Astley, 
John Ellman, Arthur Young, etc. ; subscrip- 
tions 10s 6d each. Eight other names were 
added later in the day, including Sir Joseph 
Banks. 

A committee was appointed, who decided to 
offer premiums for the best beast above a stated 
weight, and fed on grass, hay, turnips, or cab- 
bages ; also for the best beast fed on corn or oil 
cake; for the best sheep fed on hay, grass, tur- 
nips, or cabbages; or for the best sheep fed on 
corn or cake. 

Arthur Young, Esq., was requested to re- 
ceive subscriptions. 

1799. The first show was held at Wooton's 
livery stables (The Dol])hin Yard), Smithfield. 
The three days' admission money to this show 
amounted to £40, 3s ($200.75). "The first din- 
ner of the subscribers took place at the Crown 
and Anchor Tavern, on the Friday previous to 
the Christmas market. The following account 
is given of some of the animals: 

"The largest sheep were of the true old Glou- 
cester breed (Cotswokls), I) red by Mr. Haines 
and grazed by Mr. Poulton — 6 ft. 5| in. in 
girth, 27 in. across the back, 23 in. over the 
shoulders and stood only 26 in. high. 

"A Hereford bullock fed by Mr. Grace, of 
Buckinghamshire, 7 ft. high, weighed upward 
of 360 stone (3,024 lbs.) and measured in girth 
12 ft. 4 in. Mr. Westear's champion bullock 
(Hereford), which sold for 100 guineas, was 8 
ft. 11 in. long. 6 ft. 7 in. high and 10 ft. 4 in. 
around the girth." [We have given a picture 
of this, the Tully ox, in a preceding chapter. 
T. L. M.] 

Among the winners with Herefords were Mr. 
Westcar, the Duke of Bedford, Mr. Edmonds, 
and Mr. John Ellman ; the latter "for the best 



H I s T i; V () !•■ 1 1 I-: i; k f o it n c a t t l e 



75 



ox fattened with grass and lui)- only in tliu sliort- 
cst time from the yoke." 

A eonimittee of management of lirtcrn nimi- 
l)ers was appointed. 

1800. The pieces of plate oilVred this year 
as prizes were divided between vegetable-fed 
and cake and corn-fed cattle, under 150 stone 
(2.101) lbs.), and above SO stone (1,200 lbs.), 
also above 150 stone (2,100 lbs.), and varied 
in value from 20 guineas ($100) down to 10 
guineas ($50). The pieces of plate offered as 
prizes for sheep were for wethers fetl the same 
as the cattle, and w-ere of the value of 12 
guineas ($60), and 8 guineas ($-40). The 
judges had to select the two best animals, each 
class to remain for public exhibition. (|| 03) 

The owners of prize animals were expected 
to agree with the butchers that the "judges 
have full power to inspect the killing, for the 
pur])oso of ascertaining the weight of each ani- 
mal, distinguishing the fore and hind quarters, 
the tallow, hide, pelt, or offal, including blood, 
etc., or by some other satisfactory moile, to as- 
certain tlie comparative live and dead weights," 
and, having ascertained such points, the judges 
were then to decide which was to be placed the 
first, and which the second best in each class, 
and report accordingly. 



The exhibitors were requested also to furnish 
an account of the "breed, age, time of fatten- 
ing, sort of food, and the time the animals had 
eaten cake or corn,"" etc. Early maturity in 
sheep was to be particularly considered. 

The butchers having objected to the condi- 
tions respecting the weights, and having de- 
clared that they would not buy the animals 
under such an engagement, it was resolved that 
this be not insisted on, hut that the proprietors 
and purchasers be requested to furnish such in- 
formation to the judges as may enable them 
and the public to decide as accurately as pos- 
sible on the respective points of the prize beasts 
and sheep. 

The judges were appointed by a committee, 
and were to consist of three graziers and three 
butchers, and the instructions to the judges 
were, "to look to the quality of the meat, pro- 
portion of valuable meat, proportion of meat 
to offal, and time of feeding, and not to 
consider certificates satisfactory unless ex- 
jilicit as to the mode of feeding for some time 
back." 

The proprietors of the yard received the 
money of the admission of the public, and paid 
the society 60 guineas ($300). The proprie- 
tors had also to furnish hav, straw, etc. 




THE COURT OF NOKE, PE.MBRIDGE. HEREFORDSHIRE. SEAT OF J. TURNER: 



76 



HISTORY OF HEKEFOKD CATTLE 



The cattle prizes were won by Herefords, 
Sussex, and Longhorns. 

At the meeting of the committee December 
13, 1800, the Duke of Bedford first made the 
proposition of a new constitution of the society, 
and "that it be formed into a permanent club, 
to consist of fifty members, viz., the present 
committee, together with Mr. Wilkes of ^Mea- 
sham, the original proposer of the society, and 
thirty-four to be elected by ballot. Annual sub- 
scription 1 guinea ($5)."' 




THE COURT OF NOKE IN 1!I02. OCCUPIED BY MR. 
EDWARD FARR. 

A guinea was paid this year tor each success- 
ful camli(!ate"s servant (nine in number). 

Distinct prizes were proj^osed for oxen, and 
for cows and heifers. 

Jt was considered "that if the cattle shown 
had not been worked, then early ripeness was a 
merit equally as in sheep." 

Two oxen were exhibited this year (1800) by 
his Majesty the King. 

1801. The prizes offered this year varied in 
amount from 30 guineas down to 10 ($150 to 
$50). There was a separate class for cows and 
heifers. 

Exhibitors were required to state particu- 
larly the condition of the flesh of the animal at 
the time of putting to fatten. 

March 30, 1801. The following were elected 
officers : President, the Duke of Bedford ; Sec- 
retary, Arthur Young, Esq. ; Stewards of the 
Show, Mr. Bonnet and Mr.Ellnian. 

It was determined to have five judges for the 
entire show, and that each member of the club 
might suggest in writing the names of such 
persons as he thought qualified to be judges. 
A selection was made by the committee, and the 
president and stewards ultimately appointed 
the judges. It was recommended that in future 
the state of the flesh of the animals when put 



to fatten be attested in the certificates by two 
respectable parties. The number of members 
of the club was now extended to sixty-five. 

1802. It was required that beasts shall have 
had no cake, except in the year 1802, and that 
the whole of the food cousiuned from October 
1 to November 30 be certified. 

Heifers were excluded from competing. Only 
cows that had had three calves and had calved 
either in 1801 or 1802 were qualified. The time 
when dried of milk was to be certified. 

The title of the Smithfield Cattle and Sheep 
Club last occurs in the minutes December 8, 
1802, and from that time it is styled the 
"Smithfield Club." 

Francis, Duke of Bedford, the president, 
died. John Drake, of Bedford, was elected pres- 
ident December 8, 1802. The number of mem- 
bers of the club was extended to one hundred. 

Placards -were placed over each animal, stat- 
ing breed, age, etc. 

A guinea was paid this year to the exhibitors' 
servants in charge of first-prize animals. 

1803. Rcsolccd, That it be a condition of 
the prizes to be ofl:ered next year (1804) that 
no beast shall have been put to fatten previous 
to the 1st of January. 

Several animals were disqualified, in conse- 
quence of the certificates not giving the re- 
quisite details as to the mode of feeding. 

1804. Several prizes were withheld, in con- 
sequence of no returns of dead-weights having 
been sent in. The prizes were not ])aid until 
the returns of dead-weights were produced. 

It was resolved to appoint a person in future 
to attend at the killing and weighing of live 
stock, who shall report the results to the club. 
Mr. King, Jr., appointed. 

The number of mcml)ers increased to 120. 
The show was held in the Swan Yard. 

1805. Rosulvcd, That the number of the 
members of the club be unlimited. Election to 
be by ballot, and one-third present to exclude. 

A Devon ox was driven 126 miles to the show. 
The show was held at Dixon's Repository. 

1806. Arthur Young, Esq., resigned the sec- 
retaryship, not being able to attend at the time 
the meetings were held. 

The offices of treasurer and secretary were 
made distinct, ilr. John Farey was appointed 
secretary, with a salary, and "lil)erty of pub- 
lishing the proceedings and papers of the club 
for liis own benefit, as Mr. Arthur Young had 
heretofore done." 

Mr. Paul Giblett was appointed treasurer. 
The show was held this year at Sadler's Yard. 
Goswell street; H. R. H. the Duke of York 
gained a prize for a pig. Lord William Russel 



HISTORY OK 11 K If KFOKD CATTLE 



t? 



was ek'fttMl chainiian iluiiiig the Duke ol' ISud- 
fortl's absciiL-e abroad. 

Lord SoiiRTviUc and Mr. 11. Kinj;, Jr., were 
ajjpoiiituil iusjjL'L-tors to attend tlie weighing of 
prize animals. 

It was determined to oll'er I'or next year 
(ISO?) seven prizes for i'at o.xen or steers of the 
weiglit of 12() stone (1,080 llis.) and u]iwards, 
viz. : 

Class I, llerefortls, 20 guineas ($100); 
Class n, Longhorns, 20 guineas ($100) ; Class 
111, Shorthorns, 20 guineas ($100) ; Class IV, 
Sussex or Kent, 20 guineas ($100) ; Class V, 
Devons, 20 guineas ($100); Class VI, nu.xed 
breeds, 20 guineas ($100). Also an additional 
prize for the best ox or steer in the foregoing 
classe.s, £10 ($.")0). The following conditions 
were added : "The animals exhibited for the 
above premiums must have worked at least two 
years ending the 1st of January, 1807, and 
must not have been put to fatten previous to 
the 5th of April, and the whole of the food con- 
sumed from the 1st of October to the 30th of 
November must be certified. The time of put- 
ting to feed, and the state of the flesh, must 
be certified, under the attestation of two re- 
spectable witnesses.'' 

1807. There were no exhibitors for the 
Tjonghorn, Shorthorn, and Sussex prizes. The 
j)rize in the class for Devons was not adjudged, 
for want of sufficient merit. There were no 
exhibitors for the cow prize. 

Resolred, That in future there be three 
judges instead of five. 

Also that the .secretary's salary be 30 guineas. 
The club's dinner was held in tlie Free Mason's 
Hall. 

1808. The proprietor of Sadler's Yard, Cos- 
well street, paid the club only £50 ($250), he 
finding ]irovender as usual. The club also en- 
tered into the same agreement with Mr. Sadler 
for holding Lord Somerville's show. Again 
this year there was no exhibitor for the Long- 
horn prize. The only competitor for the Short- 
born prize was disqualified. There was no ex- 
hibitor in mixed breeds. The Duke of Bedford 
very liberally paid upwards of £(58, charged for 
three years' use of rooms at Freemasons' Tavern 
for meetings, etc. Resolved. That no person 
who has gained a prize in either of the first 
five classes be entitled to show a heast in the 
same class next year. 

1800. For the Shorthorn and Sussex prizes 
there were no exhibitors. The judges were 
not to he informed of the names of the owners 
of the animals, but were to adjudicate by num- 
bers placed over each. Rcsolrrd. That from 



iiext year (1810) a prize be oU'ered for pure 
Merino slice]). 

1810. The conditions respecting Longhorn 
and SJiorthorn oxen having been worked were 
dispensed with. It was decided that in 1811, 
Hereford, Sussex, or Kent, and Devon oxen or 
steers, be shown in pairs or yokes, of the same 
age and one person's breed, the premiums to be 
equally divided between the breeder and grazier. 
A portable weighing machine for cattle was 
hired from Mr. Shepherd, of Woburri. 

1811. There were no exhibitors for the prizes 
for yokes or pairs of oxen in the Hereford or 
Devon classes. The arrears of subscription 
amounted to 468 guineas. 

1812. Members were required to subscribe 
to the "signature book," engaging to pay sub- 
scriptions (If 64). 

Some curious descriptions of the colors, etc., 
of the animals occurred : 

"A Hereford with a red ring around the 
eye ;'' "a red, frosty-faced Sussex ;" "a red and 
white Devon ;" "a smooth-coated Hereford." 

1813. The Duke of Bedford resigned the 
office of president when about to proceed to the 
continent. The Marquis of Tavistock was re- 
<iuested to accept this olTicc, l)ut declined. A 






TVINGTONBURY, SEAT OF MR. T. UOLIERTS. WHO 
BRED SIR THOMAS. 

committee of management was elected, consist- 
ing of the stewards and thirteen members. Thos. . 
Coke, Esq., was requested to become president, 
but declined. Resolved, That in future the 
prizes be in plate instead of money. The num- 
l)er of show days was reduced from three to 
two. The subscriptions and arrears due to the 
club amounted to £1,080 15s ($5,434). The 
number of members was 272. 

1814. The Duke of Bedford offered 100 
guineas ($500) annually for additional prizes, 
iris Grace afterwards increased this sum to 125 



78 



H T S T O K Y OF H E R E F 1! (' A T T [. F 




EDWARD FARE, PRESENT 

OCCUPANT (1903) OF THE 

COURT OF NOKE. 



guineas ($()"25) in order tliat. a rive-guine;! 
($25) medal might be given to tlie breeders of 
the animals in each of the five proposed classes. 
These were subsequently styled the "Bed- 
fordian" plate and medals. The Dul<'e of 
Bedford was requested to continue president ; 
Tjord Somerville, Sir John S. Sebright, Bart., 
V. Callis Western, Esq., M. P., afterwards Lord 
Western, Thos. Mellish, Esq., were elected vice- 
presidents. Mr. Thomas, of Bond street, was 
consulted respect- 
ing a die with a 
profile of the 
Duke of Bedford, 
for the Bedford- 
ian medals, and 
subsequently a die 
was engraved by 
Mr. Jos. Porter 
of Fleet street, 
from the original 
model for a bust 
by Mr. Nollckens. 
Mr. Thomas un- 
dertook to have 
suitable articles of 
plate on view for 
the successful can- 
didates to choose 
from. It was ordered that the certificates be 
delivered to the secretary eight days before the 
show. 

1815. The Duke of Bedford was again elect- 
ed president. Mr. Farey was elected treasurer 
as well as secretary, with 40 guineas salary. 
The rule requiring the dead-weights of animals 
was rescinded. Resolved, That no animal once 
shown be exhibited again except as extra stock. 

1816. Arthur Young, Esq., resigned being 
a member of the club. The finances were in so 
bad a state that the president proposed that 
the club should not offer any prizes next year. 

1817. The classification of cattle according 
to breed was discontinued. No prizes were of- 
fered this year out of the club's funds, only 
the Bedfordian plate and medals, value 25 
guineas. Nevertheless, the Judges reported fa- 
V£irably of the show. The Duke of Bedford 
suggested "whether the ends for which the club 
was associated were not sufficiently answered ;" 
but in case the club should judge otherwise, he 
expressed his readiness to continue the Bedford- 
ian premiums. Sir John Sinclair having ex- 
pressed his anxious hope that the club should 
continue its useful exertions in this time of 
agricultural depression, it was resolved : 

"That it is the opinion of this meeting that 
great advantages have accrued to the landed 



interests and the cumniunity in general from 
the exertions of this club, which have tended 
materially to increase the supply of animal food 
(if superior quality to meet our greatly increased 
population and consumption. That the late 
exhibitions, and the present one in particular, 
show that the improvements in live stock are 
yet in successful progress as to the essential 
points of disposition to fatten, early maturity, 
and consequent cheapness of production, and 
that further and greater benefits may be ren- 
dered to the community by the continuance of 
these exertions ; under these impressions it is 
the decided opinion of this meeting that the 
club should continue and receive the utmost 
support from its members." 

1818. The prizes offered out of the club's 
funds amounted to £50 without classification 
as to breed of cattle, I)ut with conditions as to 
weight only. The Bedfordian premiums were 
also offered as before. 

Resolved, That one steward retire each year. 
That the judges be taken in rotation from the 
list of names which shall be determined on at 
the meetings of the club. 

That in future there be three judges of cat- 
tle, and three of sheep and pigs, to be chosen 
from the following lists, viz. : 

Experienced breeders and graziers of cattle; 
experienced breeders and graziers of long 
wools; experienced breeders and graziers of 
short wools; experienced butchers in or near 
London. 

That the stewards supply, as heretofore, any 
vacancy that may occur by non-attendance. 

1819. That no exhibitor be allowed next 
year to gain a prize in the same class in which 
"he has gained one this year, nor in future to 
win in the same class any two consecutive years 
(^(J5). 

That the sheep be shorn before the judges 
award the prizes. 

A class for cows was re-instituted, the same 
as in the year 1815. 

The secretary reported the death of Lord 
Somerville, a vice-president of the club, and 
one of its original members. 

N. B. — From the prize sheet for 1819 it ap- 
pears that an exhibitor was allowed to enter 
two beasts in the same class, but where two 
prizes were ofl^ered he was only allowed to gain 
one. 

1830. Mr. Sadler was allowed to charge non- 
members for the standing room for imple- 
ments. 

Sir Joseph Banks, one of the original mem- 
liers and promoters, died. 

1821. December 6, 1821. A letter was re- 



HIST OK Y OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



79 



ceivcd from the Duke of Bedford, stating his 
dettnninatioii to withdraw from the club, and 
to discontinue the Bcdfordian prizes, and ex- 
pressing his opinion that "the advantages wliich 
on the first formation of the institution were 
held out to the public have been amply realized 
and that any further incentive to improve the 
breeds of cattle, sheep, and swine is become 
wholly useless. 

"The only object was to increase the animal 
production of the kingdom and this object has 
been fully attained. The markets of the nic- 
tro])olis and throughout the kingdom are 
abundantly supplied. The best and most profit- 
able breeds of cattle and sheep have been 
brought into notice, and have made rapid and 
extraordinary progress in the estimation of the 
breeder and grazier." 

It was, however, unanimously resolved by the 
meeting of the members after considerable de- 
liberation that "the club ought to continue and 
receive the utmost support from its members." 

Sir John Sebright, Bart., was requested to 
become president, but declined. 

Resolved, That in future an exhibitor be en- 
titled to win in the same class two consecutive 
years, provided he be both breeder and feeder. 

Lord Strathaven, a vice-president, died. 



1823. The judges declared this to be one of 
the best shows they ever witnessed. The club 
was without a president. 

1823. The Duchess of Rutland became a 
member. 

Resolved, That in future the prizes be in cash 
or plate the same as previous to 1814. 

That in future the restrictions as to an ex- 
hibitor not winning in the same class two con- 
secutive years, unless he be both breeder and 
feeder, be abolished. 

1824. Resolved, That in future there be two 
classes of cows, viz., one for fattened dairy 
cows, which have calved in their full time twice 
at least, and have given fair proportion of milk. 
The other class for cows or heifers (not spayed) 
which may not be eligible for the above class. 

From the prize sheet for this year, it appears 
that exhibitors sending two beasts for the same 
class had id select which of the two should 
compete for the prize. 

1825. Viscount Althorp (afterwards Earl 
Spencer) was elected the president of the club. 
There was a sweepstakes between three Here- 
fords, belonging to the Duke of Bedford, and 
three Durhams, belonging to the Rt. Hon. 
Charles Arbuthnot, won by the Herefords. 

Resolved, That "no motion having for its 




DOWNTON CASTLE. 
(From a photograph taken in 1902.) 



80 



HISTOKY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



object either the dissolution of the club, or ma- 
terially altering its constitution," should be 
taken into consideration until a copy has been 
sent to each member, with a statement of the 
position of the elub"s funds, etc., and a second 
meeting being appointed, at least twenty-one 
days from the first, for discussing and decid- 
ing iipon it. 

It was ordered to be mentioned in the prize 
sheet, that "next year the prizes will be dis- 
tributed to the successful candidates at the an- 
nual dinner." 

1826. Mr. John Farey died, having been 
secretary twenty years. 

Resolved, "That no officer receiving pay from 
the club shall be made a member of the clulj." 

Mr. William Farev was appointed secretary. 
(II GO) 

Resolved, That in future the ears of one-year- 
old sheep be marked to prevent their being 
shown again. 

That in future no animals be shown without 
the exhibitors certifying that they have had 
them in their possession six months at least. 




MR. A. J. R. B. KNIGHT. OF HOWXTON CASTLE, 1903. 

Resolved, That tlie Ijutcher's returns of tlie 
dead weights be again required. 

1827. Resolved, That there be three stew- 
ards. 

That there be three judges for the whole 
show. 

That each steward be expected to procure a 



breeder of cattle or sheep, or a grazier, who will 
be willing to act as judge of the show. 

1828. Resolved, That the prizes be in pounds 
instead of guineas. 

That in future the officers of the club shall 
not be allowed to answer in their official capac- 
ities any inquiries respecting the proceedings 
of the club, except such as are entered and writ- 
ten in the minute book. 

That the judges be paid their traveling ex- 
penses, fixed at £5 ($25) for 1829. 

The president proposed sweepstakes for oxen 
and steers, and cows and heifers, to be decided 
by the club's judges next year. 

1829. Resolved, That silver medals be given 
to the breeders of the first prize animals in 
Classes 1, 2 and 3 this year, and for the future 
to the breeders of first-prize animals in each 
class. 

Mr. Kitelee placed at the disposal of the club 
the £10 prize awarded to him, to be offered in 
a gold medal for the best beast that may be ex- 
hibited in any of the classes at the club's next 
show. 

Resolved, That silver medals be given in fu- 
ture on extra stock for the best beast, the best 
long-wooled sheep, the l)est short-wooled sheep, 
and the best pig. 

1830. Resolved, That in future a gold 
medal be given to the breeder of the best beast 
in any of the classes, and also a gold medal to 
the breeder of the best pen of sheep in any of 
the classes. The officers and leading memljers 
of the club decided to raise subscriptions of a 
guinea each, in order to present a piece of plate 
to Viscount Althorp, the president, in testi- 
mony of his valuable services in raising the club 
to its present eminence. 

IM.'Jl. An extra gold medal (£5) was voted 
for the second best animal in Class 1, there be- 
ing no second prize oflfered. 

A gold medal (£10) was offered for any ox 
not gaining the prize in Class 1, but which 
shall, in the opinion, of the judges, possess ex- 
traordinary merit. 

Resolved, That stewards in future audit the 
club's accounts, and, if possible, previous to 
the Friday's meeting. 

That there be separate gold medals in future 
for long-v/ooled sheep and for short-wooled 
sheep. 

Sir John Sebright, Bart., offered to give a 
gold medal in 1832 for the Itest pen of three- 
year-old Southdowns. 

At the dinner a eandelal)rum, value 200 
guineas ($1,000), was presented to Viscount 
Althorp. 

1832. Richard Astlev, Esq., the then father 



H 1 S T i; Y I'^ II E R E F 11 1) C A T T L E 



81 



of the club, and one of its most active sup- 
porters, died; also Thos. Mellish, Estj., a vici'- 
jjn'sidcnt. 

His (irace liie Dukt' of li'ic-hinuiul was elected 
a vice-presideiil. 

h'csulccil. That ill future tiie lireeders' certili- 
cates be required. 

That any member wIki shall hcconn' 10 
guineas in arrears be exchnied frnin tbi' list nl' 
meuibers. 

is;!:i. j;rsolrr,J. That the extra -did uieilal 
in Class 1 be tliseontinued. 

is;) J. Tile Duice of Hiehniond won a niatcli 
made with Lord Iluntingfield lor tlie li\e bc^st 
siiearling Southdown wethers. 

Messrs. Hoars were appointed tlie bankers of 
(lie elul), the secretary to draw upon them. 

IHJi.J. The Marquis of Exeter won a match 
H'ilh Earl Spencer for the l)est freemarlin 
luafer. 

Mr. I^llinan won a match with Tiiomas Coke, 
Es(|., for Southdowns. ■ 

lli'sulccd. That a silver medal be given lo the 
butcher who shall purchase .uiinials to the bnu- 
cst amount out of the classes, upon his duly 
producing to the secretary the eertifieates of 
purchase. (^ (iT ) 

X. B. — From the prize sheet for 1835 it a])- 
jiears that only one lx>ast, one pen of three 
sbeep, and one pen of three pigs belonging to 
tile same person could be exhibited in each 
class. 

lS;i(i. Humphrey Gibbs, Esq. (afterwards 
llum]ihrey Brandreth), was elected honorary 
secretary. 

ISliT. A conimittee was appointed to see if 
better premise-: could be obtained for the cluirs 
>bow. 

It'csijJrrd. That any member of the cluli who 
has ]iaid up all arrears of his subscription, or 
any new member on his admission, may com- 
pound for all future annual subscriptions by 
tlie payment of 10 guineas. 

The Duke of Richmond having called atten- 
tion to the importance of the dead-weight re- 
turns, the Hon. Secretary offered to be present 
at the weighing, which offer was accepted with 
1 banks. 

1S:!S. 'I'his was the last year of the slmw 
being held at (Joswell street. 

IS;?!I. Tlie show was lield at the P.aker street 
I?azaar for the first time. 

RcKolveil. That in consequence of the great 
increase of stock shown of late years, there be 
for tlie future three judges of cattle and long- 
wooled sliec]), and three judges of short-wooled 
sbeep, and jiigs. 

Tliat three additional stewards Ije appointed 



lor the pur})ose of selei'ting the judge of short- 
wooled sheep, and jiigs. 

That new classes of Scoteb and Welsh cattle 
be formed. 

1840. His Royal Highness, I'rince Albert, 
visited the show. 

A die for the medals, with a jirofile of Earl 
Spencer, president, was ordered to be engraved 
In- Wm. Wvon, R. A. 

■ 1841. Ilis h'oyal Highness, I'rince Albert, 
was elected a niember of tlie (4uli. 




imOCKSWOOD (1S5I. CALVED IN 1S43, BRED BY J. 

RICKETS. 

(From an old lithogr.npli.l 

RcsolrcJ, That in future no animals fed on 
milk during twelve months previous to the 
show, except pigs, be qualified. 

The president having e.xpressed a wish that 
the meeting would give its opinion as to the 
age that drew distinction between a cow and a 
heifer, it was found to be the opinion of the 
meeting that tlie term heifer ap|ilied until the 
animal was four vears old, and after that it 
should be considered a cow. Also, that the 
term steer a]iplie(l until tbi' animal was four 
years old, after tliat it should be considered an 
ox. 

That the butchers' medal be olTered for the 
future the same as in l.s:!."). 

His Royal Highness, tbc Duke of Cam- 
bridge, was elected a nieinber of tlu> club. 

1843. A new class for cross-bred sheep (long 
and short-wooled cross) was fmaiied f(n' 1843. 

On tlie motion of the ]iresideiit, I'larl Spencer, 
it was 

/.'r.so/rr,/, That in future the club"s gold 
medals be given to the feeders, in place of the 
br lers. 

'i'bat meinbers who have paid twenty annual 
subscri]!(ions be allowi'd to comiiound for five 
guineas. 

"That no animal, the pro])crty of or bred by 



82 



HTSTOBY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



any jjurson wlio has lici'ii rxpellcd Troin any 
agricultural society, or otherwisu clis(iualitied 
from cxhibitiHg stock at any agricultural show 
in consequence of having been proved to have 
exhibited stock with a false certificate, shall be 
exhibited at the shows of the Smithfield Club, 
provided : that if the person so disqualified or 
exjjeiled shall have taken any legal proceedings 
in consequence of such expulsion or disqualifi- 
cation and a court of law shall have decided 
in his favor, the case may be submitted to tlie 
club, who shall have the right to determine 
whether the above rule shall apply to his case.'' 

1843. Humphrey Gibbs (H. Brandreth) re- 
signed the office of honorary secretary. 

B. T. Brandreth Gibbs elected honorary sec- 
retary. 

Her Majesty, the Queen, and Prince Albert 
honored the club by visiting the show Decem- 
ber 13. 

Earl Spencer, the Duke of Richmond, and 
B. T. Brandreth Gibbs were elected trustees. 




HEREFORD HIGH TOWN IN 1S50. SHOWING THE OLD 
MARKET HOUSE. 
(From an old print.) 

Resolved, That in future a separate gold 
medal be offered for the best cow or heifer in 
the classes. 

That no member who is more than one year 
in arrears of his annual subscription shall enjoy 
any of the privileges of the members of the 
Sinithfield Club. 
• Lord Weston, a vice-president, died. 

1845. The Earl Spencer died, having been 
president of the club twenty years. (H 68) 

His Grace, the Duke of Richmond, K. G., 
was elected president. 

On the motion of Rhilip Pusey, Esq., P. M., 
the following resolution was unanimously 
passed : 

"That we desire to record our lasting grati- 
tude to the late Earl Spencer for his long exer- 



tions in the service of the Smithfield Club, 
which were neither interrupted by the discharge 
of more arduous duties noj damped by the re- 
tirement from public life or by the advance of 
3'ears; and also to express our affectionate ven- 
eration for his manly and noble character." 

Resolvnl, That for the future, in the sheep 
classes which are restricted to weights, live- 
weights be substituted for dead-weights. 

Lord Portman was elected a trustee, in the 
room of the late Earl Spencer. 

A class for Scotch, Welsh and Irish cattle 
was re-established for next year. It was deter- 
mined to oft'er a gold medal for the best pen of 
pigs in the classes. 

Sir John S. Sebright, Bart., vice-president, 
died. 

Earl Spencer elected vice-president. 

1846. J. M. Cripps, Esq., a vice-president, 
died. 

Resolved, That in future all restrictions as 
to feeding in the oxen aqd steer classes be done 
away with. 

That in future non-members pay a fee of a 
guinea to the funds of the club to entitle them 
to exhibit. 

That in future the judges be not made ac- 
quainted with the kind of food on which the 
animals have been fed. 

That disqualified animals be removed from 
the yard before the public exhibition. 

That in future the cross-bred sheep be judged 
by the short-wooled judges. 

That in future no return of dead-weights be 
required from the exhibitors or the butchers. 

1848. Resolved, That the restrictions on the_ 
feeding of sheep be done away with. 

That the judges be not made acquainted with 
the traveling of the animals to the show. 

That a new class be formed for short-wooled 
sheep, not Southdowns. 

1849. Resolved, That in future exhibitors 
of stock be admitted to a private view of the 
show, viz., between eight and ten o'clock in the 
evening of the day of adjudication, provided 
the judges have signed their awards. 

Thomas Gibbs, Esq., the father of the club, 
died. 

1850. Her Majesty the Queen, and his Royal 
Highness, the Prince Albert, again honored the 
club by visiting the show. 

Full power was delegated to the president to 
admit the royal family of this or other coun- 
tries at whatever time he may consider expe- 
dient. 

Resolved. "That, the club being anxious to 
evince and perpetuate its feelings of respect to- 
ward the Duke of Richmond, the president de- 



H 1 S T I? Y OF H E K E F R D C A T T L E 



85 



sires that his Crace's profile sliouhl appear on 
liio reverse side of the club's medals, and that 
his Grace be requested to sit to W. Wvon, Hs(|., 
K. A., of her Majesty's Mint, for the prepara- 
tion of a die.'' 

1851. Hcsolrcd, That in future the cattle be 
classified according to breed. 

That all notices of motion be delivered to the 
honorary secretary ou or before the last day on 
which certificates are to be received. 

That a copy be sent by the secretary to each 
member stating the meeting at which such mo- 
tion is to be considered, etc. 

lS5".i. The cattle were classified into distinct 
breeds, viz., Hercfords, Devons, Shorthorns, 
Scotcli, Welsh or Irish ; other pure breeds, cross 
or mixed breeds. 

A committee reported its recommendation to 
add jMultry to the show, but it was subsequently 
found that the space would not admit of it. 

1853. Rcsolred, That it shall be incumbent 
on the exhibitors and breeders of animals ex- 
iiiiiited at the Smithfield Club's shows to prove 
the correctness of their certificates, if called 
u])on liv the stewards to do so. 

SepMi'ate classes were formed for Wilsh cat- 
tle. (•' (ill) 



1854. His Koyal Highness, Prince Albert, 
his Koyal Highness, the Prince of Wales, and 
his Royal Highness, Prince Alfred, honored the 
show by visiting it. 

Resolved, That in future the ages of animals 
be calculated to a fixed date, viz., the first of 
December. 

That the judges give in a reserve number in 
each class, in case of prize animal being dis- 
qualified. 

That in future no person be eligible to be 
elected a steward unless he shall have been a 
member of the club three years. 

That in future steam engines, etc., may be 
exhibited down stairs. 

1855. Resolved, That for the future, in extra 
stock long-wools, and also short-wools, there be 
a silver medal for the best wether sliecp, and 
another for the best ewe. 

That in future members who shall have paid 
their subscription for the current year be ad- 
mitted to the private view by a special card. 

That a silver medal be awarded to the breeder 
of each first-prize animal in the Scotch and 
Welsh classes, provided he has furnished the 
breeder's certificates. 

That the outgoing stewards shall 'nominate 




THE CELEBRATED FEEDER OF PRIZE STEERS. RICHARD SHIRLEY. A.\D FA.MILY, OF BAUCOTT. 

(House built in 1600.) 



86 



n I S T K Y OF H E R E F E D CATTLE 



their successors to the honorary secretary pre- 
viously to the annual notice paper being sent 
to the members, prior to the annual meeting; 
and tlial no member shall be considered eligible 
to be appointed unless he shall have been three 
years a member of the club. 

A testimonial of plate was presented to B. T. 
Brandreth Gibbs, honorary secretary, at the 
annual dinner of the club. 

Philip Pusey, Esq., a vice-president, died. 

1856. The amount of prizes offered to the 
club was still further increased, and additional 




=1150 



=;'*^'g;*s%--7s^t» - 



YOUATT'S TYPICAL HEREFORD COW. 

(Drawn from imagination. Reproduced from "Youatt on 

Cattle.") 

separate classes added for Susse.x, Norfolk, or 
Suffolk-polled, Longhorned, Scotch-polled and 
Irish cattle. 

Besolvcd, That in future the award be not 
read at the dinner, e.xccpt the portion relating 
to the gold medals. 

That in future the certificates be lodged with 
the honorary secretary on a fixed day, viz., al- 
ways November 1, except the first fair on Sun- 
day, and then to be on ]\Ionday, the 2d. 

1857. The thanks of the club were voted to 
the honorary secretary for his "History of the 
Club," and ordered to be recorded on the min- 
utes. 

That in future the cluli's accounts and state- 
ments thereof be made up the first of Decem- 
ber; that the statements show the balance car- 
ried forward from year to year; and that the 
stewards audit the accounts up to the first of 
December annually ; and that the statement be 
that of cash actually received and paid. 

Earl Spencer, a vice-president, died. 

1858. The Eight Honorable Lord Fever- 
sham elected a vice-president. On the motion 
of Mr. John Giblett. a committee was appointed 
to inquire into the practicability of procuring a 



better and more commodious place for the 
Smithfield Club to hold its annual exhibitions. 

That there be three additional Judges, viz., 
three for cattle, three foi- long-wooled sheep 
and pigs, and three for short-wooled sheep and 
cross-bred sheep. Those for cattle and long- 
wooled sheep and pigs to be nominated by the 
stewards of cattle and long-wools. 

That in future all the pigs shall have their 
dentition examined by a competent authority, 
previously to the judges making their awards, 
and if the dentition shall satisfactorily indicate 
that the age of any pig had been incorrectly re- 
turned in the certificate, the stewards shall dis- 
qualify such pig and report their having done 
^o to the first meeting of the club, and that 
suth disqualification shall be final and without 
a})p(.al 

That there be two silver medals for extra 
btock cattle, viz., one for steers or oxen, and 
one for heifers or cows. 

That the Judge's award be not read in ex- 
ttn>-o, but laid on the table. 

That no alteration be made in any of the 
implement stands, except under the actual direc- 
tions of the stewards or secretary, both as to 
the aiticles to be exhibited and the arrangement 
of their stands. 

1859. His Eoyal Highness, the Price Con- 
sort, visited the show. 

The show yard committee reported on the 
site, etc., that had been offered for the club"s 
show, including a proposition from the Crystal 
Palace at Sydenham. {% 70) 

j\Ir. John Giblett having suggested the for- 
mation of a company, the show yard committee 
recommended, "That, if a responsible company 
be formed and adequate terms offered to tlic 
club, the club should lease their exhibitions for 
a term of not exceeding twent3'-one years."' The 
committee was empowered to further consider 
the subject and report again in May, 1860. 

That a tabular statement of the amounts of- 
fered in prizes and the number of entries in 
the different classes during the last three years 
be printed and furnished to the members. 

That no article (except agricultural liooks) 
exhibited in the implement galleries be allowed 
to be removed during the time the show is open 
to the public. 

The Right Honorable Lord Walsingham 
elected a vice-president. 

C. T. Tower, Esq. (the father of the club), 
elected a vice-president. 

1860. Preliminary prospectus of tlie ju'o- 
posed Agricultural Hall Company issued, with 
iMr. Jonas Weljb as cluiinnan. 

The show yard committee reported their rec- 



11 I S T i; Y U F 11 E 1.' E E O II D CA T T L E 



87 



ommendation in favor of the site l\no\vn as 
■■i)i.\oii"s lair," at Islington : 

"That if a resjjonsilile company be formed 
who will enter into an agreement to erect a 
suitable building on this site to the satisfaction 
of the chib, also to pay the club £1,000 ($5,000) 
per annum, and to enter into an arrangement 
on similar terms to those now made with Mr. 
Boulnois, the club shall lease their exhibition 
for a term of not exceeding twenty-one years, 
commencing 18G:i.'' 

Several meetings were held on the subject of 
the removal of the show to the proposed new 
Agricultural Hall. 

On the ITth of July the following resolution 
was carried : "That the report of the sub-com- 
mittee appointed at the general meeting of 
December 9, 1859, to inquire into the practi- 
cability of providing a more commodious place 
for holding the annual exhibitions of the Smith- 
field Club, having been adopted at the special 
general meeting of the 22d of May, 1860, and 
the report of the legal arrangements committee, 
appointed on the same 2'id of May, to conclude 
the terms of an agreement with the agriculturaT 
meeting held on the 6th of June, 1860, this 
meeting does in the fullest manner confirm 
those proceedings." 

Power was given to the committee, or any 
two, to sign the agreement, and a copy of it 
ordered to be entered on the minutes. 

His Grace, the Duke of Richmond, K. G., 
president of the club, died. 

Resolved, That the meeting desires to record 
its deep regret at the irreparable loss the club 
has sustained by the decease of the late presi- 
dent. His Grace, the Duke of Richmond, K. G., 
who has, during a number of years, given the 
greatest attention to further its objects and 
promote its prosperity. 

The Earl of Yarborough, a vice-president, 
died. 

Her Majesty, the Queen, and his Royal High- 
ness, the Prince Consort, visited the show, De- 
cember 10, 1860. 

Her JIajesty, the I^mpress of the French, 
visited the show. 

Resolved, That the president be elected for 
the term of one year, and that the said presi- 
dent be not eligible for re-election for the term 
f)f three years, and that this be the rule of the 
club for the future. 

That Right Tlonoralile Lord Berncrs, elected 
jiresident for 1S61, be the first of the annual 
jiresidents. 

Lord Porfman and Mr. Brandreth Gibbs re- 
signed their offices of trustees, and the thanks 
of the club voted. 



Charles Barnett, Esq., Thos. Greetham, Esq., 
and Samuel Druce, Esq., elected trustees. 

Jicsulvcd, That all exhibitors of cross-bred 
aninmls shall be required to specify the e.xact 
nature of the cross — that is, the breed of sire 
and dam respectively, and whether the animal 
exhibited is the result of a first or more remote 
cross. 

Prize sheet rearranged and fresh divisions 
and classes added, and prizes to amount of 
nearly £800 ($4,000) extra. 

The following were added to the list of vice- 
presidents : Lord Berwick, the Honorable Col. 
Hood, the Earl of Leicester, the Duke of Rich- 
mond. 

Lord Berwick, a vice-president, died. 

1861. Lord Tredegar elected a vice-presi- 
dent. 

Lnplement committee appointed to arrange 
as to allotment of space and determine the rules 
and regulations for the implement department. 

Resolved, That the honorary secretary be re- 
quested to make the same arrangements as to 
catalogues that he has been in the habit of mak- 
ing with Boulnois, and that the entire arrange- 
ment shall rest with the hnnorarv secretarv 







TI51 

YOUATT'S TYPICAL SHORTHORN COW. 
(Drawn to flatter Rev. H. Berry. Reproduced fr 
"Y'ouatt on Cattle.") 



of the club, who is to fix the ma.ximum jirices 
at which the catalogues are to be sold by the 
Agricultural Hall Company, (f 71) 

1S(;2. This show held 'at the Agricultural 
Hall for the first time. 

His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, 
visited the show, accompanied by his Royal 
Highness, the Crown Prince of Prussia. His 
Royal Highness, the Duke of Brabant (now 
king of the Belgians), and his Royal Highness, 
the Prince Louis of Hesse; also his Royal High- 



n I S T li Y F H E i; E E U 1{ D C A T T L E 



ness, the Duke of Cambridge; her Royal High- 
ness, the Duchess of Cambridge, and her Eoyal 
Highness, the Princess Mary of Cambridge. 

Prize slieet revised and £000 ($3,000) added 
to the prizes. 

Rcsolrrd. Tliat an implement catalogue be 
published on the same terms as the live stock 
catalogue. 

That in future any member of the club who 
has duly served his three years as steward of 




YOUATT'S IDEA OF A 
(Drawn from imagination. 



HEREFORD WORKING-OX. 
Reproduced from "Youatt o 
ittle.") 



the yard shall not be eligil>le for reappointment 
for the next si.x years. 

That both the nomination and election of the 
new stewards lie in the business of the general 
meeting, and that no retiring steward have the 
especial right of nominating his successor. 

On the motion of Major-General, the Hon- 
orable A. X. Hood, it was resolved: 

1st, That the management of the Smithfield 
Club be vested in a council consisting of the 
President, Vice-Presidents, Trustee, Honorable 
Secretary and twenty-four members. 

2d, That one-third of the twenty-four mem- 
bers shall go out annually by rotation, and not 
be re-eligible for one year. 

3d, That the council shall prepare rules and 
regulations for the management of the club, 
and shall submit tlicni for consideration and 
adoption at a spt'cial general meeting of the club 
in May, 1S(;3. 

His Koyal Highness, the Prince of Wales, 
was elected a member of the club. 

Two silver cups, value £40, for cattle; three 
silver cu))s, £"?0, for sheep, offered in lieu of 
gold medals, also separate silver medals for 
ewes in extra stock. 

1863. On March .^th, the council of the club 
held its first meeting and considered the draft of 
by-laws as preliminarily prepared by the hon- 
orarv secretary. 



licsoh'cd. That the honorary secretary be 
empowered to appoint an assistant secretary, 
at a salary of 50 guineas per annum; that the 
ap])ointment, removal and control of such as- 
sistant secretary shall rest entirely with the 
honorary secretary. 

Resolved, That one month shall be added to 
the ages of sheep, viz., to be under twenty-three 
niontiis and under thirty-five months, instead 
of twenty-two months and under thirty-four 
months. 

That a silver cup, value £10, be offered in 
lieu of the butcher's medal. 

By-laws of the club liiuilly discussed and 
agreed to. 

The private view arranged to take place on 
the Monday afternoon of the show, and the 
l>ublic to be admitted at 5s ($1.25) each. 

Ii'i'siilrctl. That every member of the coun- 
cil be invited to send the names of fitting ])er- 
sons for judges in each particular class. 

That the council shall select the judges. 

That the council shall have power to add 
names to the list. 

That the members of council sending in any 
names shall first ascertain that the respective 
l)arties are willing to act as judges. 

That the names be delivered to the honorary 
secretary on or before the 1st of November. 

Resolved, That there be fifteen judges, viz., 
six for cattle, six for sheep and three for pigs. 

Resolved, That all the judges of cattle shall 
be joined to decide the adjudication of the sil- 
ver cups, and in case of equality of votes, the 
stewards shall call in a judge for umpire out 
of one of the other divisions. 

That the six judges of sheep shall be joined 
to decide the last cup named on the prize sheet, 
and in case of equality of votes, the stewards 
shall call in an umpire, as in the case of cattle. 

A special divine service given for the first 
time by the Vicar of Islington for the men in 
charge of live stock. 

The first report of the council laid liefore 
the general meeting. 

Two stewards of implements appointed. 

Humphrey Brandreth, Esq. (formerly honor- 
ary secretary), elected a vice-president. 

1SG4. Re.iolved, That members of the club 
and exhibitors be admitted to the galleries dur- 
ing the judging. 

That a framed diploma and a sovereign be 
given to the man (to be named by the exhib- 
itor) who has had charge of the stock w'inning 
first prize in each class. The ages in the class 
for steers were rearranged. (See prize sheet.) 

The marking of the sheeps' ears was discon- 
tinued. 



HISTORY OF IIEKEFOKI) CATTLE 



89 



Resolved, That all protests against animals 
cxiiibiti'd at the club's show must bo dcliviTcil 
ill be fori! six o'clock i'. ii. on the Tuesday of 
tile show, and that no protests be received after 
that time. 

Fines were instituted for the noii-exhibitioii 
of animals that had been entered. 

lifsuJvvd, That the club will not, in any case, 
or under any circumstances, hold itself respon- 
sible for any loss, damage, or mis-delivery of 
live stock or article e.xhibited at the club's 
shows. 

Ivosettes placed over winning animals. 

Ecsolrvtl, That for the information of the 
agricultural and such other journals as may 
wish to ])ul)Iish the awards the same evening, 
the winning numbers be posted on a placard 
in the gallery from time to time as the judges 
proceed. 

That the reporters of the press generality 
shall obtain the complete award by applying 
at the honorary secretary's otfice at the hall at 3 
o'clock, when a clerk will be in attendance to 
read over th(> numbers, so that the reporters 
may mark their catalogues. 

Veterinary Inspectors fee raised to £15. 

Judge's fee raised to £7. 

Freemartins to be allowed to compete in the 
heifer classes. 

The ilarquis of Huntley, vice-president, died. 

Humphrey Brandreth, Esq., vice-president, 
died. 

18G.5. Eesolved, That the stewards lie jiaid a 
fee of £10 each. 

That a silver cup lie substituted for the gold 
medal hitherto given for the best pen of pigs. 

That a gold medal lie given in lieu of a silver 
medal for tiie breeder of the best ox or steer. 
also to the breeder of the best cow or heifer in 
any of the classes. 

That there be three Imtcher's cups — one for 
beasts, one for slieeji, and one for pigs. 

The date of the show was put a week later 
than usual in consequence of the cattle plague 
necessitating early slaughter after the show. 

Various stringent rules were enacted in or- 
der to guard against the plague, animals ex- 
hibited at any show within a month being 
excluded; veterinary certificates being required 
to be sent with the animals, conveyances lieing 
rtquirec] to be disinfected; animals to lie exam- 
ined ])y a veterinary inspector before being ad- 
mitted to the show; constant attendance of 
veterinary inspector night and dav, etc. 

Brsidrrd. That this year the show shall close 
on the Tlnirsdav evening instead of the Fri- 
day. 

'Rrsulrcd. That the stewards of live stock and 



inipleiuents, not already members of the coun- 
cil, be so ex-oilicio, during their terms of stew- 
ardshi]). 

Hi'tiolrcd, That it is the o])inion of the gen- 
eral meeting of the .Smithfield Club, held this 
12th day of December, 18ti.3, that it is the duty 
of the government, under the formidable visita- 
tion by which this country has been afflicted, 
to issue such orders for the regulation of the 
cattle trade in Great Britain as may be neces- 
sary to check the extension of the cattle plague, 
so tiiat the practice may be uniform throughout 
the country; also that this meeting concurs in 
the spirit of the recommendations made to the 
Privy Council by the Council of the Royal Ag- 
ricultural Society of England in reference to 
the cattle plague, and begs to press on the gov- 
ernment the extreme importance and urgency 
of its taking immediate steps to insure uni- 
formity of action throughout the country. 

18(i(i. Resolved, That the condition disqual- 
ifying spayed heifers be struck out. 

That the butchers' cups be discontinued. 

That the rule excluding animals exhibited 
elsewhere within a month be rescinded for this 
year. 

That all the other rules and regulations in 
reference to cattle plague be enforced as last 
year, with the exception of that altering the 
date of the show. 

That no steps be taken by the Council of the 
Sniithfit'ld Club to olitain a relaxation of the 




^1153 



YOUATT'S HEREFORD FEEDING OX. 

(Drawn from imagination. Reprodueea from "Youatt on 

Cattle.") 

orders of Privy Council in reference to tlie cat- 
tle plague. 

That a deputation consisting of the presi- 
dent and honorary secretary sliall wait on the 
Privy Council to advocate the following recom- 
mendations : 

(1j I'o) 1st. That no fair or market for store- 
stock should be opened before the 1st of April. 



90 



H I 8 T TJ Y OF H E E E F R D C A T T L E 



2d. That tlu' gruatest care should be taken 
that the reguhitious as to quarantine be rig- 
idly carried out. 

3d. That permanent lairs be established at 
the port's of debarkation. 

1867. Resolved, That a list of the winners 
of the gold medals and silver cups at the past 
shows of the Club be printed at the end of the 
annual Prize Sheets, the same to be a rej)rint 
and continuation of the tabular statement in 
the apjxmdix to the honorary secretary's "His- 
tory of the Smithtield Club."" 

That a list of the members of the club be 
printed at the end of the Prize Sheets. 

That none but the official placards respecting 
the food on which the animals have been fed 
be allowed to be placed over the heads of the 
animals in the hall. 




T154 



YOUATT'S ORIGINAL DURHAM COW. 

(Drawn from imagination. Reproduced from "Youatt on 

Cattle.") 



Lord Feversham, vice-president, and C. T. 
Tower, Esq., vice-president and father of the 
club, died ; also Thos. Greethani, a trustee, died. 

The club entered into arrangements with the 
Agricultural Hall Company respecting various 
alterations in the hall, by which on the one 
hand the club had to pav the Hall Company 
£1.000 ($5,000) in consideration of the en- 
largement of the galleries; building of a dining 
room, in which the club's annual dinners are 
to be held ; store room for animal's food, and 
construction of a new building for the pigs, and 
other improvements. 

On motion of the President (Major-Gencral 
Hood), 

Resolved. That 11^ be given for a report on 
the animals exhiliitcd at the clulj's show. 



The Duke of xMarlborough and the Earl of 
Powis elected vice-presidents. 

The president was requested to lay the fol- 
lowing resolutions before the Privy Council as 
recommendations from the Council of the 
Smithtield Club : 

That all foreign stock be slaughtered at the 
place of landing. 

That sheep be included in the present quar- 
antine regulations for store stock. 

ilr. H. H. Dixon was appointed to write the 
report of the present year's show. 

Resolved, That in future each member of the 
Council shall not nominate more than one per- 
son to each division of judges, and that the 
conditions requiring that the nominators shall 
have first ascertained their willingness to act 
be remitted. 

Her Majesty the Queen exhibited for the 
first time in her own name. 

His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, 
exhibited for the first time. 

A donation of £85 ($125) was received from 
Her Majesty the Queen in lieu of that of £5 
($25) hitherto annually paid by Major-Gen- 
eral. the Hon. A. N. Hood. 

SMITHFIELD CLASSIFICATIONS. 

(|[ 74) The following are the Smithtield Show 
classifications made on cattle from the organi- 
zation of the society to 1835 : 

( Xote. — A stone was reckoned at 14 lbs. for 
live weight and 8 lbs. for dressed or dead 
weight, "sinking the offal."' In live weight 2 
stone equaled a quarter or 28 lbs. Four quar- 
ters made one hundred weight (cwt.) or 112 
lbs.) 

1799. Oxen or steers. Class for beasts fed 
on oil-cake or corn, class for beasts fed on grass 
feed, etc., class for beasts under 24 score (480 
lbs. dressed or 840 lbs. live weight). 

1800. Oxen or steers. Class for beasts un- 
der 150 stone (2,100 lbs.), above 80 (1,120 
lbs.), grass fed, etc. Class for bea.?ts under 
150 stone (2,100 lbs.) above 80 (1,120) fed 
on oil-cake, etc. Class for beasts above 150 
stone (2,100 lbs.), grass fed. Class for beasts 
above 150 stone (2,100 lbs.), cake or corn fed. 

1805. Oxen or steers. Class for 160 stone 
(3.240 lbs.) or upwards, not to have cake or 
corn before the 5th of April, 1805. Class for 
100 stone (1,400 lbs.), not to have had cake or 
corn. Class for under 100 stone (1,400 lbs.), 
not to have had cake or corn. Class for oxen 
or cows that have gained the greatest weight 
from the 1st of April or later, to 1st December, 
grass fed. 



H 1 S T () i; ^' () F H E H E F H 1) C A T T L E 



91 



Cows. L'lass Tor I'at l-ous, iimsl have hail 
thri'c calves at k-ast. 

1810. O.vcii or steers. L'hiss I'or aii}' age, 
elassified separately, as according to breed, as 
follows: Herefords, Longhorns, Shorthorns, 
Sussex or Kent, Devons. Class for any breed, 
5 years, above 100 stone (1,400 lbs.). Class for 
any breed, 5 years, under 100 stone (1,400 
lbs.). Cows. Class for fat cows, must have 
had three calves. 

1815. Oxen or steers. Class for any age, 
classifiod separately, according to breed, as fol- 
lows: Herefords, Sussex or Kent, Devons, 
Longhorns, Shorthorns. Class for any breed 
under 5 years, 100 stone (1,400 lbs.) or up- 
wards. Class for any breed under 100 stone 
(1,400 lbs.). Bedfordian plate for o.xen, 110 
stone (l.")IO ll)s.), or upwards. Bedfordian 
jilate for oxen under 110 stone (1,540 lbs.). 

Cows. Class for fat cows that have had at 
least three calves. 

1820. Oxen or steers. Class for any breed 
under 30 months. Class for any breed, 160 
stone (v,244 lbs.), not exceeding 5 years. Class 
for any breed above I'-JO stone (1,680 lbs.) and 
under KiO (2,340 lbs.), not exceeding 5 years. 
Class for any breed nnder 120 stone (1,680 
lbs.), not exceeding 4 years. Bedfordian plate 
for 130 stone (1,820 lbs.) and upwards. Bed- 
fordian plate for under 130 stone (1,820 lbs.). 

Cows. Class for any breed of cows that have 
calved twice. 

1825. Oxen or steers. Class for any breed 
under 36 months. Class for any breed 160 
stone (2,24<i lbs.) or upwards. Class for any 



i)reed under 160 stone (2,240 lbs.) and aiinve 
11(1 (1,540 lbs.). Class for any breeil under 
110 stone (1,540 lbs.). 

None of the above to have had cake, etc., pre- 
vious to the September twelve-months preced- 
ing. 

Cows. Class for cows that have calved twice 
at least. Class for cows not spayed. 

1830. Oxen or steers. Class for any breed 
nnder six years. Class for any breed or age, 
160 stone (2,240 lbs.) or upwards, that have 
had no cake, corn, etc., before August 1st, 1830. 
Class for any breed inider 160 stone (2,240 
lbs.) and above 120 stone (1,680 lbs.), no cake, 
etc., as above. Class for any breed under 120 
stone (1,680 lbs.), no cake, etc., as above. 

Cows. Class for cows that have calved twice 
at least. Class for cows of any age, must have 
calved once in years 1828-29, and not been 
dried last time previous to November 1st, 1829. 
Class for cows or heifers not eligible as above, 
freemartins and spayed heifers not qualified. 

1835. Oxen or steers. Class for any breed 
under 5 years. Class for any breed under 6 
years, 90 stone (1,260 lbs.) and upwards, no 
cake, etc., previous to August 1st, 1835. -Class 
for any breed under 5 years, under 90 stone 
(l,260'lbs.) and above 70 stone (980 lbs), no 
cake, etc., as above. Class for any breed not 
more than 4 years, 3 months, under 70 stone 
(980), no cake, etc., as above. 

Cows. Class for cow's under 5 years. Class 
for cows 5 years and upwards. Freemartins 
and heifers not qualified. 




LOUn nAT?:MAN. ISSIVIBOI, LORI1 LIEl'TEXAXT OP 

HEREFOUnSHIRE. lv-,2-iafll. THE CELEBRATED 

UREEDER OF HEREFORD CATTLE. 



92 



HISTORY F H E R E F R D CAT T L E 



CHAPTER IX. 



COXTKMI'OKAKY REPORTS OF SaIITII !■ I ELI) ClUB MaTTERS 



We find that considerable liglit can be shed 
on the cattle history of the early years of the 
nineteenth century by giving what was pub- 
lished in the agricultural publications of that 
day. 

The Smithfield Cattle and Sheep Society, 
gathered in London, Dec. 13, 1799, appears to 
have been a meeting for general business, and 
the following classification was published: 

Class 1. Beasts fed on grass, hay, turnips, 
cabliages, or other vegetables, under the weight 
of 150 stone but above 80 stone, a piece of plate 
not e.xceeding £15 ($75) for the best, and a 
piece of plate not exceeding £10 ($50) for the 
second best. 

Class 2. Beasts fed on oil-cake, corn, or any 
other food e.xcept grass, hay and vegetables, 
same premium. 

Class 3. Beasts fed as Class 1, above the 
weight of 150 stone (2,100 lbs.), a piece of 
plate not exceeding in value £20 ($100) for the 
best, and a piece of plate not exceeding in value 
£15 ($75) for the second best. 

Class 4. Beasts fed as Class 2, and the same 
weight as Class 3, same premiums as Class 3. 

"That the cattle be brought, on the following 
or any other conditions that the committee may 
think proper, to a place fixed upon by the com- 
mittee on Thursday preceding the Christmas 
market day for the piir]iose of being accepted 
by the judges on the day succeeding, who will 
be directed to select the two best from each 
class. 

"Those selected to remain at the place fixed 
upon by the judges, for the purpose of their 
being exhibited to public view, and that they 
be exhibited accordingly on Saturday, Monday 
and Tuesday immediately following the day of 
selection, when they shall be returned ; but it 
will be expected that the proprietors shall agree 
with whomsoe\-er they may sell them to, that 
the judges sliall have full power to inspect the 
killing for the purpose of ascertaining the 
weight of each animal slaughtered, distinguish- 
ing the fore and hind-quarters, the tallow, hide, 
offal, including lilood, etc.; or hy some other 



satisfactory mode of ascertaining the compara- 
tive live and dead weight, and having ascer- 
tained such points the judges are then to decide 
on which is the first and which the second best 
in each class, and make their report to the com- 
mittee. 

"RcfsuJred, That one of the conditions be, 
that each candidate shall at the time of show- 
ing, produce to the judge a paper, signed by 
himself, containing an account of the breed, 
age, time of fattening, sort of food, and time 
they have eaten cake or corn, etc.; also the 
name of the breeder in case where it can be 
known. 

''Kcsolved, That no candidate shall be enti- 
tled to two prizes in the same class. 

"Resolved, That the committee be instructed 
to direct the judges to take particularly into 
their consideration age of the sheep, the society 
being of the opinion that early maturity is a 
merit. 

"RctiuliH'd, That the committee be instructed 
to advertise the jn-emiums in tlie following pa- 
pers once : County Chronicle, Bath, Hereford, 
Lewes, Leicester, Stamford, York, Nortliamp- 
ton, Cambridge Intelligencer, Oxford, Canter- 
bury, Sherljurn, Ipswich, Reading and War- 
wick, on the first day of publication in tiie 
month of October, 1800. 

"Resolred, That it be left to the committee 
to fix a price to be paid for admission to see the 
different prize cattle and sheep. 

"Resolved, That the committee be instructcHl 
to dispose of the surplus arising from the sub- 
scribers, shows, etc., in such manner as they 
think fit, rendering such disposal public, and if 
there is still a surplus after their object is ac- 
complished to pay it over to the committee for 
the year ensuing. 

"Resolved, That the committee l)e instructed 
to have a dinner provided on the Christmas 
market day, subject to such regulations as they 
may deem proper. 

"Resolved, That the committee be instructed 
to draw up a report of the whole of their pro- 
ceedings, including their receipts and expendi- 



1 1 I s T () i; V () F II E n [•: v u iiu c \ r t i. k 



93 



ii pcrioil lis tlii'v coiivoniciitly 
the tiiuuv public in tlu- ilicap- 



turc, ill ;is fill! 
can, and to iiial' 
est manlier. " 

The first preiiiiiun (•ipial to $?.5 for the hem, 
lieast ill llie show ami aiuithcr equal to $50 for 
the best ox feil on oil-eake, was awarded to Mr. 
Westear, on a Hereford. A jirize ("([ual to $25 
was awarded tg the Duke- of Bedford's Ilere- 
f( rd for tlie most complete beast under the 
wei<,d)t of 48 score (9G0 lbs., dressed, or 1,680 
lbs. live weight), fed on oil-cake and grain. The 
Duke also gained $75 for the best beast fattened 
on grass and hay only. A prize of £10 ($50) was 
awarded to Mr. John Edmonds, of Welford, 
lor the second best ox fed on grass and hay 
only, and £5 ($25) to Mr. Ellman, of Glynd, 
for the best ox fattened on grass and hay only 
in the sliortest time from the yoke. 

The following are sample certificates pre- 
sented with cattle exhibited. The Duke of Bed- 
ford's reads: 

"Dec. 12, ISOO. 

"This is to certify that my two oxen were 
purchased of the breeders, lean from the yoke, 
oti the 15th of March, 1800; and the Hereford- 
shire ox was bred by .Samuel Patrick, of Mid- 
dleton, near Ledbury, and the Shropshire ox 



was bred by Thos. Bishop, of Moor, near Lud- 
low ; both were five years old, and have been 
fattened with grass and hay only, and have not 
eaten any hay liefore the 17th of \ovember 
last." 

Another reads : 

"This is to certify that the two Sussex shown 
by me for the prizes given by the Sinithfield So- 
ciety were bred by Mr. John Ellman, of Glynd, 
Sussex; were eigj^j^ years old last sjjring and 
worked constantly'until the last week in May, 
1799, and have been fed on grass and hay only 
until the 14th of December, 1799, by Mr. John 
Ellman; since that time by Henry King, mak- 
ing together nineteen months from the yoke. 

"Witness our hands this 12th day of Decem- 
ber, 1800. 

John Ellman, 
Henuy King." 

At the Christmas market at Smithfield, Dec. 
21, 1800, Messrs. Hixcock and Farrow made a 
.show of beasts that was never equaled or ex- 
ceeded in the kingdom. Their largest bullock, 
a real Herefordshire one, was fed by Mr. Grace, 
of Buckinghamshire, and on account of his very 
extraordinary bulk and fatness, was conveyed 
to London bv \\atpr. He was seven feet hi'jjh. 




;V JOHN HEWER. 



94 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



weighed upwards of 260 stone (3,640 lbs.) and 
nieasnred in the girth twelve feet, four inches. 
The other killed by them was a real Glamor- 
ganshire, grazed by Mr. Woodman, of Buck- 
ingham, and weighed '220 stone (3,080 lbs.), 
and was the fattest ever seen on the ribs and sir- 
loin. 

A prize Hereford ox was purchased at 
Smithfield in 1800 by Mr. Chapman for $500, 
and exhibited to public inspection in the Fleet 
market on Wednesday. This fine animal was 
fed by Mr. Westcar, of Biickinghamshire, and 
weighed nearly 300 stone (4,200 lbs.), was 
eight feet eleven inches long, six feet seven 
inches high and ten feet four inches around the 
girt. He carried the first prize at the Smith- 
field Show of Cattle. 

SMITHFIELD CATTLE SHOW, 1801. 

Dec. 12, the judges met and examined certifi- 
cates of the exhibitors who had cattle to show. 
Mr. Westcar, for two oxen fed on cake, six 
years old, one bred by Mr. Tully, the other one 
by Mr. . Holman ; have eaten cakes since last 
September, at Ledbury, March 17, 179!); also, 
two othc>rs fed on grass and turnips, bought at 
Hereford. October, 1799. bred bv Mr. Williams, 
of Thinghill. 



Class 1. Several cattle were exhibited by 
Mr. Westcar who took the first prize on a Here- 
ford ox, and the Duke of Bedford second prize 
on a Hereford ox. 

Class 2. The character of the cattle in this 
class was not sufficient in the opinion of the 
committee to be awarded a premium. 

Class 3. Mr. Westcar's white Hereford took 
first premium. 

1802. The following is a report of the 
judges of the Smithfield Cattle and Sheep Club, 
Dec. 8, 1802: 

We, the judges, appointed by the Smithfield 
Club to examine and report the merits of the 
cattle, sheep and pigs shown for the prize of 
this year, having received and read the certifi- 
cate of the several candidates and duly consid- 
ered the instructions this day received from the 
chib, do adjudge: 

Class 1. First prize in this class to Mr. 
Westcar, second prize to the Duke of Bedford, 
for Hereford -oxen. 

Class 2. The first prize to Mr. Westcar for 
the Hereford ox ; second prize to Mr. Ladds. 

Class 3. Only the Duke of Bedford's 
French ox shown — if a prize must be given in 
this class the Duke of Bedford is entitled 
to it. 




•SAY WHEN." MR. J. H. ARKWRIGHT AND SON TROUT FISHING AT HAMPTON COURT. 



HISTOKY OF HEREFOKD CATTLE 



95 



Class 4. For cows, the first prize to the 
Duke of Bedford. 

The following certificate shows that Here- 
ford oxen of the Tonikins sort were strong com- 
j)etitors*at the early shows: 

Class 1. This is to certify that the Duke of 
Bedford's Hereford ox just shown for a prize 
offered by the Smithficld Society (winner of 
second prize in Class 1) was six years old when 
put to fattening, was bred by Mr. Tomkins in 
the County of Hereford, was put to fattening 
the 1st day of May, 1801, being then respecting 
llcsh very poor, having been till then at hard 
work ; has been fed on cakes, turnips and hay. 

Signed Edmund Cartwright, 

John Clayton. 

Class 2. The following is the certified ac- 
count of the food given to Mr. Westcar's grass- 
fed Hereford ox : 

1802. Tankard turnips Hay Hay 

per day. per day. taken up. 

Oct. 1st to 8th 108 lbs. 21 lbs. ^4 lb. 

Oct. 8th to 15th 108 lbs. 21 lbs. \i lb. 

Oct. loth to 22d lOS lbs. 21 lbs. Vi lb. 

Swedish Turnips. 

Oct. 22d to 29th 94 lbs. 20 lbs. V4 lb. 

Oct. 29th to Nov. .Sth 94 lbs. 20 lbs. % lb. 

Nov. 5th to 12th.... 94 lbs. 20 lbs. % lb. 

Nov. 12th to 19th.... 94 lbs. 20 lbs. % lb. 

Nov. 19th to 30th.... 94 lbs. 20 lbs. % lb. 

Total 5934 lbs. 1221 lbs. 3GV4 lbs. 

We, whose names arc hereunto suljscrihed. do 
certify tliat the ox Mr. Westear shows for the 
grass-fed prize, was purchased by him of Mr. 
Williams, of Thinghill. March 20, 1801, di- 
rectly from work, and in store condition. 

Thos. Hedgks. 

Robert Byxg. 

An account of the food given to the cake-fed 
ox, Mr. Westcar's : 

Cakes Turnips Hay Hay 

1802. per day. per day. per day. taken up. 

Oct. 1st to Sth Tibs. 24 lbs. 20 lbs. 1 lb. 

Oct. Sth to 15th Tibs. 24 lbs. 20 lbs. 1 lb. 

Oct. 15th to 22d S lbs. 17 lbs. 19 lbs. 1 lb. 

Oct. 22d to 29th S lbs. 17 lbs. 19 lbs. 1 lb. 

Oct. 29th to Nov. Sth 9 lbs. 10 lbs. 18 lbs. l'/4 lbs. 

Nov. 5th to 12th.... 9 lbs. Gibs. 18 lbs. IH lbs. 

Nov. 12th to 19th... 9'.i lbs. 2 lbs. 17 lbs. IVi lbs. 

Nov. 19th to 30th... 10 lbs. 2 lbs. 17 lbs. IVi lbs. 

Total 512'^ lbs. 722 lbs. 1036 lbs. 72Vi lbs. 

We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, i\u 
certify, that the ox of Mr. Westear sluiwii for 
tile ral<e-fed prize, was purchased by him of 
Mr. Tullv, of Huntington, near Hereford. 
March ;Ulth, 180], directly from work in store 
condition, and that the said ox never liad aiiv 
cake except in the year 180'J. 

Robert Byng. 

Thomas Hedges. 
The dressed beef of Mr. Westcar's cake-fed 
Hereford ox (1802), bred by Mr. Tully, was 
as follows : 



stone. Lbs. 

Fore-quarter 72 1 =: 577 pounds 

Hind-quarter .... (i5 2 = -142 " 

(.)ne side 137 '■) ^lOl'J pounds 

W't of whole body 274 G =2038 pounds 

Mr. P. Giblett, the celebrated London butch- 
er, gives the following particulars of Mr. West- 
car's grass-fed prize ox of 1802 : 

stone. Lbs. 

Carcass 225 6 =1,80() pounds. 

Fat ; 28 6 =230 

Hide 15 2 =122 

Liver 1 5 = 13 

Entrails, not emp'd 22 7 = 183 " 

Pluck 1 6 = 44 

Head 5 3 = 43 " 

Feet 4 1 = 33 

Tongue..-. 1 2%= 103^ " 

30G 63^=2,454% " 




SHOBDON COURT. SEAT OF LORD BATEMAN. 

Smithfield Show, Dec. 13, 1803. Certificate 
Admitted. Class 1. This is to certify that the 
two oxen I showed for the prize offered by the 
Smithfield Society were bred by Mr. Tully, of 
Huntington, near Hereford, of whom I pur- 
chased them the 12th of April, 1802, directly 
from work and in store condition. And I also 
certify, the said oxen never ate any corn of any 
description while in my possession, nor any oil- 
cake, except in the present year, 1803. 

John Westcar. 

Creslow, Dee. 3, 1803. 

Witnesses to the above: 
Thomas Hedges. 
John Roads. 

Particulars of the food eaten by the large 
ox: 57014 cakes ami Hl!> pnuiuls bay. 



9G 



11 1 8 T U Pt Y OF II E R E F E D C A T T L E 



I'articuhu's of food oatuii by the sniallur ox : 
'■Mb cakes, l,o02 pounds turnijjs, 1,005 pounds 
ha3'. 

Mr. Grace, two oxen cake-fed and two grass- 
fed, the grass-fed live years old, and the cake- 
fed seven years old, bred by Mr. Farmer, of 
Weobly, Herefordshire, and \>y Mr. Hohnes, of 
Hereford. 

Tjiomas Gkace. 

I'reniiiuns awarded as follows: To Mr. West- 
car, first prenuuni of $()0 for beast under 150 
stone (2,100 lbs.), fed with grass and hay, on 
a Herefordshire ox. 

To Mr. Edmonds, first premium of $75 for 
beast above 150 stone (8,100 lbs.), on a Here- 
ford ox. 

To Mr. Westcar. first premium of $75 for 
best beast above 150 stone, fed with cake and 
corn, being a Hereford ox. 

To Mr. Grace, for second premium of $50 
for Hereford ox in the same class. 

The dressed weight of one of Mr. W*stcar"s 
oxen was as follows: The four quarters 
weighed 1,952 pounds, one sirloin and rump 
weighed 240 pounds, six of his fore ribs 
weighed 176 pounds, buttock 128 pounds, his 
leg 20 pounds, his head 28 pounds, his tongue 



14 pounds; bought by Mr. Chapman, of Fleet 
market. 

Two oxen were shown by His Majesty at 
Smithfield, 1802. One of them was taken from 
work Oct. 17th, 1799; he was sevep years 
old, and worked three and one-half years; he 
was fed on hay and grass only, except on a few 
potatoes for a few weeks prior to his going to 
London; the other was five years old, and 
worked nearly two years, and was taken from 
work Sept. 12th, 1799, was fed with grass and 
hay only, except on a few potatoes for about 
five weeks; both were bought for the King by 
Passey, in Herefordshire. 

SMITHFIELD SOCIETY, 1804. 

Certificates of. Mr. Westcar's brown ox, oil- 
cake fed : 

Carcass weight 1,(174 pounds. 

Fat 204 

1,878 pounds. 
Mr. Westcar's dark brown grass-fed ox : 

Carcass weight 1,026 pounds. 

Fat 193 

1,819 pounds. 




SCENE AT "THE WHITTERN." KINGTON. PROPERTY OF MR. 
"Asia and oak coppices clothe Us hillsides." 




hfti'f mtDf n-D u'.i in jjiTtnfturnfIr ri^tobluihi ni^ rhf l»rf f i> of t?rrrfo pi>C[atf Ir injflitn'rfrfl 




Fac-simii.e of Testimoxial to T. L. Miller. 
rreseiitcil at Hereford. Eiiglaml, August 1, 1883. by the Hereford Hreeders of England. 



1 1 1 s T o i; Y c) F 11 K n E F u i; 1) v \ t t l 



97 



s.MniiiiKLU s()('Ii:tv, 1<S0,j. 

Mr. WrstiarV iirizc (jx. IVd on oil-fake: 

Carcass weight l.ilSS pouiuis. 

Fat 2H\ 

2,20-1 pounds. 
Duke of i;e(ironrs grass-fed ox: 

I'areass weight 1.0(11 pounds. 

Fat '. i;i2 

1,253 pounds. 
.Mr. Westcar's grass-1'ed o.\ : 

Carcass vveigiit l,l-')9 pounds. 

Fat k;;;; 

1,()02 pounds. 

Tile Fourth Siieep Siiearing (Jathering of 
tlie Duke of Bedford eoniinenced on Monihiy. 
June the IStli, 1800. A hirge attendance was 
on the ground and the meeting occupied foui' 
(hiys; the time was given almost entirely to the 
shearing exhibition, sale and renting of sheep 
on Monday. There dined at the Duke's table 
100 persons; in the steward's room, 60, making 
220 wlio dined on Monday, and about the same 
jiroportion, 245, on Tuesday; 244 on Wednes- 
day, and 138 on Thursday. 

The Duke offered and awarded large ]iie- 
niiums to those who expended the largest sums 
iri the purchase of pure-bred sheep in the 
county of Beilford. 

On the Wednesday, after dinner, Mr. West- 
car, of Creslow, Bucks, informed the Duke, in 
the hearing of the whole company, that Mr. 
Tully, of Herefordshire, and his friends would 
]iroduce twenty Hereford oxen at Woburn this 
time tw(dvem(inth, fresh from the yoke, for one 
liundred guineas, against twenty of any one 
breed in l']ngland. the Duke of Bedford to ap- 
]ioint the Judges. This olfer of a bet was in- 
stantly accepted by Sir Thomas Carr, of Red- 
inghani, in Sussex, w'ho offered to ]H'oduce 
twenty Sussex oxen against them. 

A friend of Sir Thomas Carr's here inter- 
fered, requesting exjilanations, which, in the 
opinion of very many, did not appear necessary 
for a plain liet explicitly accepted. 

.\ conversation ensued upon fattening the 
oxen, and various other circumstances, on 
wliich Mr. Westcar (who declared that I\fr. 
Tully would bet on any fair conditions) retired 
in order to offer two propositions in favor of 
Sir Tliomas Carr. that if he liked the second 
better than that be bad already accepted, he 
miglit be indulged witl) it. This projiosecl lb(i 
following extension of the bet, should Mr. 
T'loijias Carr wish it, which, before reading, 



was explained to be distinct from the first 
proposition, and not annexed to it as a neces- 
sary condition. 

"And that such oxen may be fatted and pro- 
duced at the Christmas following at Smithfield, 
for a second hundred guineas, value to decide 
the superiority." 

Here a fresh debate ensued. Mr. Ellman, of 
(Jlynd (Sir Thomas Carr's friend), proposed 
an explanation by adding these words: "Dis- 
position to fatten and quality of flesh to decide 




SCENE ON THE RIVER ARROW, COURT HOUSE. 

FARM OF JOHN PRICE. 

"Its low lands are often called the 'Garden o£ England.' " 

the superiority wifhuut size being a chief ob- 
ject of consideration."' 

This Mr. Westcar rejected, observing that if 
size was thrown out of the question, twenty 
runts might be shown against Herefords of two 
hundred stone (2,800 lbs.). 

Propositions and explanations Ijeing multi- 
plied and mixed with conversation, the original 
acceptance of the bet slipped from attention, 
and the whole was eluded, Init not without the 
Sussex breed suffering somewhat in the repu- 
tation, as it was deemed all escape on that side. 

One l)et, however, was clinched. Mr. Tench, 
of Broomfleld, near Ludlow, in Saloji, offered to 
show a Hereford bull against any bull in Eng- 
land for one hundred guineas, which was ac- 
cepted by Mr. Knowles, of Nailstone, in Leices- 
tershire, immediately entered, viz. : 

"Mr. Tench hots Mr. Knowles one hundred 
guineas tliat he shows a Hereford bull against 
any Leicester bull to lie produced at Shifnall. 
the Monday fortnight after the great show at 



'J8 



H I S T U i! Y OF H E B E F O E D CATTLE 



Smithfield. The Duke of Bedford to appoint 
judges. 

ROBEKT TeXCH. 

Samuel Knowles/' 
The ahove trial came oft" and the Hereford 
won. 

The editor of the "Annals of Agriculture," 
writing in 1800 of a great friend of the Here- 
ford and his sheep shearing show, says : " I 
might expatiate on the husbandry of the Duke of 
Bedford and the uncommon improvement he 
has made even since the last sheep show. 
The show house for the tups is ad- 
mirably contrived, but these an<l various 
other articles highly interesting 1 reserve 
for that register of observations made at Wo- 
burn which has been drawn u]) on a former oc- 
casion, and which yet waits for some di-awing 
not completed. 

"The meeting passed oft' to the satisfaction 
of all present, and it was an animating circum- 
stance to see the" lovers of agriculture assem- 
bled together from countries so reiuote, from 
the most distant provinces of Ireland, from 
Germany, and from Switzerland. Several 
came expressly for this purpose aloout five hun- 
dred miles. It shows the sjjirit with which ag- 
riculture is at present prosecuted: it marks the 



genius of the age; it presages (may the provi- 
dence of the Almighty permit) the future pros- 
perity of this flourishing emijire. 

"To see a prince of the royal blood and 
many great lords sit down to the same table 
and partake of the conversation of the farmer 
and the breeder; to see all animated with the 
spirit of improvement, and listening with de- 
light to the favored topic of the plough, is a 
spectacle worthy of Britain, and in her blest 
isle alone to be beheld ; Esto perpetiia. 

"The conversation throughout the meeting 
was entirely agricultural, as it has been on 
every former occasion, opinions of stock, of cul- 
tivation, discussed, facts related, ideas sported, 
questions debated, bets proposed, and emulation 
active and jjromoted. 

"He little knows the secret springs that move 
the public good who does not see the excellent 
etl'ects that must flow from prejudices being 
worn away by the attrition of contrary senti- 
ments, by exhil)itions of superior stock being 
examined and compared, and by the sphere of 
rural knowledge l)eing thus extended. 

"The Duke announced premiums for the year 
1801. May the new century open auspiciously 
to the plough ; may the spirit of this sheep 
sliearing im])rove the flocks of Britain : may her 




HEREFORDSHIRE PEASANTRY. CHEAP LAbOK FOK THt; UEAUl.XG UF LARGE CROPS. 



IirsTOKY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



99 



fields smile again with ample harvests; her 
wastes by a general enclosure covered with cul- 
tivation; her farmer rich; her poor well fed 
and hap])y, and may we all, by reverence of 
tiiat lieing from whom all blessings How, en- 
deavcn- to deserve them." 

THE DIKH OF MKDFOKD's SIIICKP SlIEAIilN'G TX 
1801. 

On Jlonday ■■i")") peojilc atteiidrd. on Tues- 
day 25!), on Wednesday ''o'i. on Thursday 13"2. 
The sale and rental of sheep made a very satis- 
factorv ]irogress. Liberal premiums were paid 



There hung a gloom over the whole business, 
which would not dissipate. The succeeding 
Duke had given orders for conducting every- 
thing exactly as on former occasions. Lord 
Somerville presided at the dinners, and the 
general arrangement of business was conducted 
by his lordship, and Mr. Coke, with the assist- 
ance of the Rev. Mr. Cartwright. 

The company was very numerous all the three 
days and on Tuesday equal to the appearance 
on any former occasion. In addition to the 
sale of sheep there was a sale of Hereford cows 
and heifers, including two bulls, ten head, all 
of the Herefordshire breed. The sale amounted 




HEREFORD OX. CHA.MPION' AT SMITHFIELD. 1816. (Bred by S. & C. Haywood. Worcestershire.) 



to farmers of the county for the best cultivated 
farms and for the largest improvement of the 
sheep, and on ditVcrent classes of farm machin- 
ery. 

The Duke of Bedford died in the spring of 
lS()->. The Sheep Shearing Shows at Woburn 
bearing bis name wei'e continued in 1803 by 
his sun. 

Those wlio attended ihis meeting, hitherto so 
bright and cheerful, animated as it was by the 
cnlivriiing iin'scinc nF a nolileman so greatly 
beloved and respected, looked around on every 
scene with heavv eve and sorrow in their hearts. 



to £974 ($4,8T0), an average of $487 a head. 
Premiums were awarded and paid to the farm- 
ers for the best conducted farms and the largest 
improvement in live stock. 

We quote Mr. Young's "Annals of Agricul- 
ture"' (Vol. 35, p. 91) to show the aims of 
Herefordshire agriculturists in founding their 
county Society, which, being the oldest and 
most flourishing in England, is another proof 
of the intelligence of the Herefordshire farm- 
ers : 

"Rules and orders of the Herefordshire Ag- 
ricultural Society, with an account of pre- 



L ofC 



100 



H I S T E Y OF II E 1! E F R D CATTLE 



miunis annually ofEored for the encouragement 
of agriculture and industry, lists of members 
and subscribers, and directions for the field cul- 
ture for the early Lancashire Dwarf Potato. 

"Such is the heading in view of establishing 
an Agricultural Society in Herefordshire. 

"The advantages which have already arisen 
to the public from the establishment of Agri- 
cultural Societies in the various parts of the 
kingdom, first gave use to the idea of a similar 
institution in the county of Hereford. The 
alacrity of persons of fortune, and of many of 
the most respectable land-holders, in support 
of the measure, affords a well-grounded confi- 
dence that the exertions of this Society will not 
be ineffectual. 

"To point out the utility of such an institu- 
tion it can only be necessary to state what are 
the principal objects of its attention; these are 
to excite by premiums and otherwise, a general 
spirit of emulation amongst breeders and prac- 
tical farmers. 

"To encourage industry and fidelity among 
servants employed in husbandry. 

"To reward laborers who shall bring up, or 
have already brought up, the greatest number 
of legitimate children, without anv or with the 



smallest relief from their respective parishes. 

"To jjromote the knowledge of agriculture 
by encouraging experiments on those subjects 
which are of the most importance to it, and by 
distributing rewards to such persons as shall 
produce the best and most abundant crops of 
grain and grass, in proportion to the quality 
of land they occupy. 

"To encourage tlie improvement of waste and 
other lands by enclosing, draining and manur- 
ing in the most cheap and efEectual manner. 

"To ascertain from actual experiment that 
course of crops on either light or heavy soils, 
which shall prove most profitable, and leave the 
lands in the best state. 

"To make generally known in this county the 
most successful modes of husl^andry adopted in 
others. 

"To promote all improvements in the sev- 
eral implements now used by the farmer here, 
and to introduce such new ones as experience 
has proven to be valuable elsewhere. 

"To imjirove the breed of horses of the cart 
kind and to carry our cattle and sheep to the 
greatest point of perfection. 

"To ascertain and make public the best 
means of raising and protecting orchards, of 




CHAMPION HEREFORD OX, SMITHFIELD, 1S37. AT 4 YEARS AND 1" MuM H^ 
(Bred by J. }}?wer,) 



HISTOl.'Y OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



101 



propajrating the host fruits; and the most easy, 
cirtain and eHicaeious manner of proceeding in 
ail tlie stages of manufaeturing their produce 
into cider and jelly. 

'"In siiort, to recommend and bring into prac- 
tice all the means of facilitating labor, of ex- 
citing and rewarding industry, and of receiving 
at the least expense the greatest ipiantity and 
the must a])])roved ([ualitv of animal and vege- 
table food. 

''These objects will readily be allowed to be 
of no small importance, and the spirit with 
which they may be promoted, and the extent 
to which they may be carried must depend 



At the meeting of the Bath and West of Eng- 
land Societ}-, 1797, John Billingsley, Vice- 
President, in the Chair; Lord Summordor was 
chosen President for the year ensuing. 

The exhibition of cattle, sheep and swine for 
the ])remium and bounties were considerable in 
number and generally valuable in qualities. 

The premiums awarded were C3.:is. (•$1.5.75) 
each. 

To ilr. Whipley for raising twenty children. 

To Thos. Lucas for bringing up in like man- 
ner eight children. 

To Wm. Spencer for bringing up nine chil- 
dren. 




j^s^Jtrj^liSlreaJSrtin^TiitJJiiSJI 



CHAMPION HEREFORD OX, S.\11THFIELD, IS3S. (Bred by H. Chamberlain, Leicestershire.) 



much npon tlie liberality of subscriptions. 
And although the Society looks with confidence 
to general support, they hesitate not to say 
tliey most particularly invite the aid and con- 
currence of practical farmers." 

One of the battle grounds where Hereford 
cattle have won many honors is the Bath and 
West of England Society's yearly shows. The 
yearly accounts of this society are meager. 

An account of their 1790 show, taken from 
Mr. Young's "Annals of Agriculture" (V. 32, 
p. 244). states that a Hereford heifer won a 
(•bam]iion ]irize at that meeting. 



To John Hooker for bringing up eight chil- 
dren. 

To John Bartlett for faithful service in one 
family for sixty-five years. 

To John Thomas for living in one family 
thirty years. 

To James Batten for like service for twenty- 
nine years. 

To Joseph Budgell for like service for twen- 
ty-seven years. 

To Elizabeth Noyes for like service for forty- 
five years. 



102 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



To Rebecca Hunt for like service for twenty- 
nine years. 

To Mary Batten for like service for twenty- 
nine years. 

To Benjamin Reynolds as shepherd in one 
family during sixty years. 

The exhibition and sale of cattle and sheep 
was held on the next day. No awards were re- 
ported. It is stated there was a respectable 
show. It may be seen here that other societies 
did not cultivate the cattle interest with Here- 
fordshire intelligence. 

We have thought best, even at the risk of 
being tiresome, to give and continue the details 
of the organization and continuance of the 
Smithfield Club, and the awards to the Here- 
ford cattle up to the time that Youatt wrote the 
history termed the History of British Cattle. 
We have also given an account of the Duke of 
Bedford's sheep shearing reports and the awards 



that he made and paid to those gatherings for 
the improvement of agriculture and live stock 
of the farmers of his county, thus showing his 
interests in live stock improvement'and prov- 
ing that it was not for want of care or investi- 
gation that the Duke accepted and adopted the 
Hereford breed of cattle at Woburn as the most 
valuable for farm purposes. We do this because 
Mr. Youatt, while stating the fact that the 
Herefords had been adopted by the Duke of 
Bedford, failed, except in one instance, to show 
any of the numerous experiments that he had 
made, and these the American editors left out 
entirely. 

From 1839 the breeders of Shorthorn cattle 
in this country and in England quoted this pre- 
tended history of Hereford cattle by Youatt 
and abridged it to discredit the Hereford breed, 
and advance the interest of the Shorthorn breed 
of cattle. 




CHAMPION HKKEKOKU OX. SMITHFIELD, 1839. (Bred by R. Hill, Orltou; txhibited by the Earl of Warwick.) 



il 1 S 1' () H Y OF H E ]{ E F O i{ D C A T T L E 



103 



CHAPTER X. 

TwKXTV Years of Hereford JJueedixc 1799 to 1819 (H 74a) 



The Ilorefordshire Agricultural Society, 
naturally, had the largest exhibits of Hereford 
cattle, in the early days of the breed, and all 
inforination that can be preserved of its doings 
will be of interest to Hereford cattle breeders. 

\Ve give a summary of the breeders of Here- 
ford cattle who were prize takers at the shows 
of the Herefordshire Agricultural Society, from 
ni)!) to 1819. The record says : The list has 
not been put into the present shape without a 
good deal of trouble, for the minute books of 
the society have gone astray, and the record has 
had to be made up by a diligent search of news- 
paper files, the chief soiirce of information be- 
ing the back numbers of the Hereford Journal. 
Jlr. T. Tomkins Galliers of Wistastou has gone 
over these files for us and has extracted the 
notes which constitute a useful chapter in the 
early history of Herefords. 

Herefordshire Agricultural Society — estab- 
lished 17D8. 

We find no account of live stock shown until 
June meeting, 1799, when, for best bull, not 
over twenty months, John Apperley, Withing- 
ton, gains the premium; and for best bull not 
over three vears, Samuel Tully, of Hunting- 
ton. £5, OS ($26.35). 

1800. Premiums were £5, 5s ($26.2.5) cups; 
second prizes, £3, 3s ($1.5.75) plate; general 
prize decanter stands. At June meeting, 1800: 
for best bred bull, Mr. Croose, Sugwas (this 
Inill was bred by Mr. Jones of Fawley) ; for 
best yearling bull, Joseph Tully, Haywood ; for 
best heifer, ilr. Skyrme, of Stretton. 

1801. March meeting. Bull, three years, 
seven months, Mr. Smith of Sufton ; yearling 
iiull. Mr. Moore, Wellington, Wooton. At this 
meeting it was suggested to offer more prizes 
for stock. 

June meeting. Three-year-old heifer, J. 
Tullv. Haywood; yearling heifer, Mr. Williams, 
Thinghill." 

1802. March meeting. Notice is given that 
the following gentlemen will show bulls in the 
several classes at the coming meeting. Class 
all ages, M. Crosse, of Ocle; Mr. Tanner, 



Hampton Court; Mr. Verce, Warham ; Mr. 
(ioode, Dunswater; Mr. Watkins, Brinsop; Mr. 
Powell, Titley. Class three years old : Mr. 
Tully, Huntington; T. G. Cotterell, Garmons; 
Mr. Tully, Haywood; W. Galliers, King's Pyon. 
Class yearling bulls: Mr. Low, Gattertop; Mr. 
Tully, Haywood; T. A. Knight, Elton; Mr. 
Apperley, Withington; Mr. Tully, Huntington. 
The prizes were awarded as follows : Best bull, 
any age, Mr. Powell, Titley ; best three-year-old, 
Mr. Tully, Huntington; second prize, W. Gal- 
liers, King's Pyon ; best yearling bull, J. Tully, 
Haywood ; second prize, Mr. Apperley, Withing- 
ton. June meeting, best heifer, under sixteen 
months, W. Downes, Hinton ; best heifer, under 
four years, Mr. Skyrme, Stretton. No stock 
mentioned at October meeting. 

1803. March meeting. Best bull all ages, 
E. Jones, Fawley; best three-year-old, T. A. 
Knight; second prize, Mr. Williams, Thinghill; 
best yearling bull, T. G. Cotterell ; second prize, 
Mr. Jones, Breinton. June meeting: Best 
heifer, T. A. Knight ; second best, Mr. Jeffries, 
Lyonshall. At this show the committee who 
awarded the premiums for cattle expressed the 
opinion to the public that the heifers exhibited 
(but not entered for premiums) by Messrs. 
Tomkins, E. Jones, Andrew Knight, and Jo- 
seph Tully, were such as would have done credit 
to the first breeders in England. 

1804. March meeting. Best aged bull, Mr. 
Barnet, of Ledbury; best two-year-old bull, S. 
Tully, Huntington; best yearling bull, T. A. 
Knight. Leominster meeting (June). Yearling 
bull, Mr. Lowe, Gattertop ; three-year-old bull, 
Mr. Fencott, The Broome; three-year-old 
heifer, Mr. Williams, Brinsop; .yearling heifer, 
Mr. Prichard, Eaton Mill. October meeting. 
Best three-year-old heifer, Edward Walwyn; 
best two-year-old heifer, T. A. Knight. Only 
two stock prizes given. 

1805. March meeting. Best aged bull, .Mr, 
Jeft'ries, Pembridge ; best three-year-old l)ull, 
Mr. Galliers, King's Pyon; best yearling bull, 
Mr. Yeomans, Howton. June meeting. Mr. 
Tully gained prize for working oxen; Mr. 



104 



HISTORY OF H E E E F O E D CATTLE 



Knight for joarling heifer. These are the only 
two prizes mentioned, but there must have been 
more given. Leominster meeting — June. Best 
yearling heifer, Mr. Williams, Thinghill; best 
three-year-old heifer, T. Ck'e, Downton. Oc- 
tober meeting. Best two-year-old heifer, Mr. 
Stevens, Cotmore. 

1800. March meeting. Aged bull, Mr. Jef- 
fries, The Sheriils ; three-yeaf-old bull, Mr. 
Watkins, Brinsop ; yearling bull, Mr. Weaver, 
Stretton. The above premiums were awarded 
by a committee of the following gentlemen : 
Mr. Apperley, Mr. Cheese, Mr. Edwards, Mr. 
Jeffries, E. Jones, Mr. Redward, Mr. ICnight, 
Mr. Tench, Mr. Watkins and Mr. Williams. This 
is the first notice of how the prizes were decided. 
Leominster meeting, June 20. Best yearling 
heifer, Mr. Watkins, Brinsop ; three-year-old 
heifer, Mr. Deykin, Brierley ; two-year-old 
heifer, Mr. Woolaston, Lynch ; three-year-old 
bull, Mr. Salway, Ashley Moor; aged bull, Mr. 
Proctor, Orleton; yearling bull, Mr. Downes, 
Ashford. (1j 74 B) 'Hereford meeting, June 30. 
Best working ox, T. A. Knight ; best yearling 
heifer, Mr. Tully, Huntington. Only two stock 
prizes given. October meeting. We failed to find 
an advertisement of the awards of this show, but 
in the general news of the paper of October 89 



we find the following: "Mr. Tomkins, Well- 
ington, gained the premium for best two-year- 
old heifer. The stock shown was very fine and 
never surpassed on any former occasion." This 
is the only notice we find of Mr. B. Tomkins, 
Jr., showing. We suppose he was offended at 
something that took place, and never competed 
again. 

180?. Spring meeting. Best aged bull, W. 
Galliers, King's Pyon ; best three-year-old bull, 
Mr. Hewer, Abergavenny ; best two-year-old 
bull, Mr. Weaver, Stretton ; best yearling bull, 
Mr. Yeomans, Howton. Leominster meeting. 
Best yearling heifer, Mr. Kedward, Westhide; 
best three-year-old heifer, Mr. Williams, Brin- 
sop; best yearling bull, Mr. Green, Stoke. 
Hereford, June 30. Best yearling heifer, Mr. 
Hughes of Marcle ; best working ox, Mr. Dawes 
of Mensell. October meeting. Best three-year- 
old heifer, T. A. Knight; best two-year-old 
heifer, T. A. Knight. A notice is inserted to 
the effect that Mr. Knight declines accepting 
the premiums since he has gained so many, so 
William (talliers. King's Pyon, being next l)est, 
takes two. 

181"^. Candlemas. Best yearling bull, B. 
Wainwright, Hereford; best two-year-old bull, 
Mrs. Berrow, The Green, Dewchurch ; best 




sr-i^ ,9^1 - 



CHAMPION HEREFORD OX, SMITHFtELD, 1841. (Bred by Mr. Mason, of Tarrington ; fed by .Mr. Senior.) 



TI I S T () H Y F H E n E F E D C A T T L F. 



105 



throe-vear-old luill. ^Ir. W;itkiii>, Hriiisop ; lipst 
agt'd bull, W. GalliL'is, King's Pyon. Leomin- 
ster meeting. Best aged bull. \V. Walker, Bur- 
ton ; best t\vo-_voar-ol(l liull, J. Walker. Wesing- 
toB ; best yearling bull. 11. Moore, Wellingtons, 
Wooton ; best three-year-old heit'er, Mr. Tench, 
Rronifield; best two-year-old heifer, Mr. Tench, 
Bronilield ; best yearling heifer, Mr. Watkins, 
Brinsop. Hereford, June. Best yearling heifer. 
Colonel Matthews, Belmont. October meeting. 
Best two-year-old heifer, Mr. Yarworth. 

18i;5. Candlemas. Best yearling bull, Wat- 
kins, Brinsop; best two-year-old bull, . not 
awarded ; best three-year-old bull, Mr. Galliers, 
King's Pyon ; best aged bull, Mr. Pugh, Thing- 
hill. Leominster meeting, June. Best j'earling 



bull, T. Jeffries, Pembridge ; ix'st aged bull, J. 
Wainwright. June meeting. Best yearling 
bull, J. Purchas, Fownliope; best two-year-old 
bull, Mr. Fluck, Moreton ; best yearling heifer, 
Col. Matthews; best two-year-old heifer, T. 
Jeffries, Grove. October meeting. Xo adver- 
tisement of meeting, but in general news it is 
stated that Mt. Welles, Earl's Croome, in Wor- 
cestershire, and Mr. Yarworth of Brinsop, took 
prizes for cattle. 

1815. Candlemas. Best yearling bull, Mr. 
Price, Norton Grounds, Gloucestershire; best 
two-year-old bull, ilr. Yarworth, Brinsop ; best 
three-year-old bull, T. Barnaby, Brockhamp- 
ton; best aged bull, Mr. Y^arworth, Brinsop. 
Hereford June meeting. Best yearling heifer, 




CHAMPION HEREFORD OX. SMITHFIKLD, l.s4ij. (Exhibited by Juhu Hudson, of Noifulli. 



bull, Mr. Symondsof Tatton ; two-year-old bull, 
Mr. Walker, Burton; best yearling heifer, Mr. 
Jeifries, Grove; best two-year-old heifer, Wat- 
kins, Knightwick (late of Brinsop). At the 
Leominster meeting it was projiosed to discon- 
tinue the shows there owing to the low state of 
the society's funds. Hereford June meeting. 
Xostock prizes. October meeting. Best two- 
year-old heifer. C. Walwyn : Ix'st three-year-old 
heifer. James 'i'arworth. 

ISM. Candlemas meeting. Best year-ling 
bull. Mr. (irovcnor, the Parks; best two-year- 
old heifer, not awarded; best three-year-old 



John Morris, Marsh. October meeting. Best 
two-year-old heifer, Mr. Tench, Bromfield ; best 
yearling heifer, Mr. Walker, Burton. N. B. — 
All bulls to be shown in future at Candlemas, 
and heifers at October meeting. 

181G. Candlemas. The committee for de- 
ciding the merits of cattle report that the aged 
bull exhibited this day by Mr. Y'arworth of 
Brinsop is the finest animal ever shown before 
this society; the dam of this bull is now in the 
possession of Mr. Price of Morton Grounds. 
Woreestershire. Best yearling bull, Mr. Tom- 
kins, nippers Moor; best three-year-old bull, 



106 



HISTOEY OF HEEEFOED CATTLE 



Mr. Jeffries, Grove ; best aged bull, Mr. Parry 
of Birley, near Stratford. (Yarworth's bull 
disqualified, having taken the prize last year.) 
June meeting. No stock shown. No account 
of other shows this year. 

1817. Candlemas. The meeting only noticed 
in general news. Yarworth, Wairiwright, and 
Wood of Burghill, successful competitors. June 
meeting at Leominster. Best yearling heifer, 
Mr. Jeffries, Grove; best two-year-old heifer, 
Mr. Tench, Bromfield; best two-year-old bull, 
Mr. Smith, Gattertop; best three-year-old bul- 
lock, Mr. Jeffries, Grove. October meeting. 
Short notice. ]\L-. Walker of Burton and Mr. 
Eckley of Tillington, got premiums, but it does 
not state for what. 

1818. Candlemas. Best aged bull, Mr. 
Smith, Gattertop; best yearling bull, Mr. 
Cooke, Wintercott. Leominster meeting. Best 
three-year-old bull, T. Jeffries. Grove: best 
yearling and two-year-old heifers, Mr. Walker 



of Burton. October meeting. Best yearling 
heifers, Mr. Smythies, Lynch ; best two-year-old 
heifer, Mr. Welles, Earl's Croome. 

1819. Candlemas. Best aged bull, Mr. 
Dawes, The Eodd ; best yearling bull, Mr. Yeo- 
mans, Howton. Leominster meeting. Best pair 
working oxen, Mr. Walker, Wesington ; best 
yearling heifer, Mr. Jeffries, Grove ; best year- 
ling bull (II 74 C) Mr. Preece, Comberton; best 
three-year-old bull, Mr. Cooke, Wintercott. Oc- 
tober meeting. Best yearling heifer. Col. Mat- 
thews; best two-year-old heifer, Mr. Smythies, 
Lynch. 

These records, uninteresting in themselves, 
give an insight into the exhibits and exhibitors 
of Herefords in a past century and show a 
classification not equalled at the time by any 
other county show, and proving again the thor- 
ough establishment of the Hereford breed at 
that early day (^ 74 D). 




CHAMPION HEREFORD OX. SMITHFIELD, 18413. 
(Bred by Mr. Thomas, of Cholstrey, Herefordshire; exhibited . by the Earl of Warwick.) 



HISTORY OF HEKEFOKD CATTLE 



107 



CHAPTER XI. 



Early Hereford History in America 



HEKEFOKU-SHORTHOKN CONTROVERSY, FROM 1834 TO 1841. 



In 1834 Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois 
and Michigan wiTc organizing agricultural so- 
cieties; and Wisconsin, then a state one year, 
was discussing the propriety of such a move. 
An agricultural convention was held at Albany, 
X. Y., in which the different interests of farm- 
ing were tliscussed, and the necessity of state 
aid urged. Among those prominent in this 
movement were H. S. Randall, L. F. Allen, 
F. Rotch, R. L. Allen, J. J. Vail, Jesse Buel 
and C. X. Renient. 

The American Institute held its eleventh an- 
nual fair in October, 1838, and among the man- 
agers were Jesse Buel and C. N. Bement of 
.\lbany. At this^late there were active efforts 
for the cstablisliing of agricultural socielies. 
I)ut our investigations w'ill be confined mainly 
to New York. 

It is probable that at this time the Short- 
horns had a stronger hold in Kentucky than 
elsewdiere. A sale was advertised at Powelton, 
near Philadelphia, of Mr. Whittaker's cattle, 
an eminent English breeder. A sale was held 
at Bloomfield, N. Y., at which the highest- 
])riced animals were sold to Gen. Dudley of 
Kentucky. At a sale held at Paris, Ky., eleven 
head sold for $8,157 ; and ten animals of mixed 
blood for $5,580; the prices at the Whittaker 
.<ale referred to above ranged from $3(50 to 
$540. H. Clay, Jr.. sold this year his cow 
Princess for $2,000. At a sale in Cincinnati 
niuety-ono head were sold, averaging $305, one 
four-year-old bull selling for $1,450. These 
prices will indicate the standing of Duiliam 
cattle at this time. 

'I'he Xew York State Agricultural Soriety 
nut tiie first Tuesday in February, 1839. Buel, 
.\llen. Vail, Van Bergcr and Spencer were a 
cominittee to report names of offices, and among 
the officers were Jesse Buel. corresponding sec- 
T'ltary, and C. X. Bement, treasurer. 

In 1839 the Royal .\gricultural Society of 
iMiffland was organized and received a charter 



from the queen. A society had existed previous- 
ly, known as the English Agricultural Society, 
and the Royal absorbed it. At this first showa 
premium was offered for the best cow calcu- 
lated for the dairy. The first was won by a 
Hereford, the second by a Durham cow, and 
this class, we think, was dropped from that 
time. 

In 1841 the New York State Society held 
their first fair at Syracuse. Tliese movements 
for the establishment of the Royal in England 
and New York Fair at Albany, were made by 
those in the interest of the Shorthorns as was 
the movement of the writing of the "History 
of British Cattle," by Youatt, and each of these 
movements, if they had been written and 
planned for the advancement of the Shorthorn 
interest, and so given out, would have been 
legitimate and proper — commendable even ; but 
when the Shorthorn men took the machinery 
and charter of the Society for the Diffusion 
of Useful Knowledge, to write up the Short- 
horn and write down other breeds, it became 
dishonest, and so when they, under the sanc- 
tion of the crown of England, established the 
Royal for the advancement of agriculture and 
the improvement of live stock, gave preference 
to the Shorthorn race of cattle unfairly, it was 
dishonest. 

We have made these points — the writing of 
the "History of British Cattle" by Youatt, the 
establishing of the Royal Agricultural Society 
of England, and the New York State Agricul- 
tural Society — because to these influences, more 
than any otlier, the Shorthorns owe their stand- 
ing. 

Previous to the writing of the "History of 
Briti.^h Cattle" the Duke of Bedford had made 
very careful experiments in grazing and feed- 
ing of Herefords and Shorthorns, and these 
experiments, widely published, resulted in the 
adoption of the Herefords by the Duke of Bed- 
ford on the score of cconomv; the details of 



108 



H I S T B Y OF H E I! E F E D CATTLE 



those experiments were before the writer of 
that history, but were not used because not 
satisfactory to the Shortliorn breeders. We 
have shown that the Herefords and Shorthorns 
were in competition before the Smithfield for 
thirty-six years; and the Herefords had taken 
ninety-three premiums equal to $7,060 on oxen, 
wliile the Shorthorns had taken only thirty- 
seven premiums, amounting to $3,375, and 
these facts were not noticed by the writer of 
that history. 

We have shown that in the London market, 
at the time that history was written, the Here- 
ford beef was selling at a half penny (one cent) 
to a penny (two cents) a pound more than 
Shorthorn beef, and that the writer of this his- 
tory did not note this fact. We have shown 
that he quoted the sales of Shorthorns by Mr. 
Arrowsmith between 1801 and 1808, ranging 
per head from $80 to $175, and that he neglect- 
ed to quote the sales of Herefords made by Mr. 
Westcar between 1799 and ISll, ranging from 
$500 to $737 (H 74 E). From these and similar 
facts we have charged that the jiistory was; writ- 
ten in the interest of Shorthorn breeders and we 
shall be supported in this view by all impartial 
men. We have not the data to enable us to 
di>s(cl till' iictidii iif \hr lioval. We have given 



one case in whicli the Herefords won at their 
first meeting, and that, when the Shorthorns 
claimed the greatest strength; and shown that, 
from that time, they did not bring their cattle 
into competition with Herefords as milkers. 

In later years there has been no question as 
to the bias of the Royal in favor of the Short- 
liorns, and whatever breeders in this country 
may claim, English breeders will hardly ques- 
tion our statement. As to the New York So- 
ciety, we shall jjresent conclusive testimony to 
show that it was managed entirely in the Short- 
horn interest. We might refer to other socie- 
ties, as the state societies of Ohio, Kentucky, 
Indiana, Michigan, Iowa and Illinois, and 
many others, but for the present we propose to 
leave them out. 

In 1835 the only reliable experiment, that of 
Smithfield, showed the Herefords to be the best 
cattle. Eeliable records of trials of the Here- 
fords and Shorthorns in every instance showed 
llie former to be far in advance of the latter. 
The London market showed the value of the 
Hereford to be 10 per cent over the Shorthorn, 
and these facts were ignored bv the writers of 
the "History of British Cattle."'" From 1836 to 
1S40 inclusive, before the Smithfield Society, 
Ilic ITcrcford l)ull(ieks took tliirty-seveii ]>r('in- 



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fpiigjriH| 


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^Blt^gSSS^m-'i >->^r« :-^ 


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t>]| 


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— 


^' '''':^.i' '^:^ 



FIRST PRIZE HEREFORD OX AT SMITHFIELD, 1846. 
(Bred by T. Roberts, of Ivingtonbury, Herefordshire; exhibited by Mr. Trinder.) 



HIST C) It Y () I' II I-: I! I'] 1"^ II D c; A T T 1. E 



lOi) 



iums equal to $1,875, the Slioi'tlionis taking 
C'iglitct'ii preiiiiuiiis, or $7 10. 

Willi tlit'se ba.sis facts established, we liiru lo 
the importation of Mr. W. H. Sothaiii, and the 
corresjioiideiu-e anil controversies growinj;' out 
of that inii)ortation, and these we shall quote 
freelv. The following extract is from a letter 
of .AlV. W. II. Sotham, of date June 1, 1840, to 
Messrs. (laylord & Tucker, publishers of the 
"Cultivator?' V. 7, pp. li;i, 114: 

"Of our cattle 1 shall not say more tliau that 
they are of the Hereford breed, and from tlii' 
same breeder who agrees with me that the 
HerefiM'ds are decidedly the best and most ])rof- 
itable wlu^n taken in the aggregate. The Smith- 



of 15 sovereigns at the Rutland Agricultural 
Society's show at Oakham. Also, at Smithfield 
Club show, the first prize of 20 sovereigns in 
class first. Age of this ox, four years and two 
months; weight ]2:2 stone (1,708 lbs.), bred by 
Mr. .John Hewer of Hereford. It is my opinion 
that Herefords are better milkers than gener- 
ally represented. It is not clear to me that 
they are inferior to the Shorthorn or Durham. 
When our cows come to grass I will endeavor 
to give the quantity. Appearance on the vessel 
are much in their favor. I will not say 
more on this subject nntil we have some for 
sale ; these are intended for our own nse. 

'■Should it meet the views of improving, in- 




CHAMPION HEREFORD OX. S.MITHFIELD, 184S. (Bred by H. R. H. Prince Albert.) 



field show will acknowledge this, as the Here- 
fords take top price against all others. 

"Otlu'r instances are in their favor. The 
oxen are excellent workers, the best feeders, and 
when in market fetch one-half penny per jiound 
more than the Durhams. The fat and the lean 
is so well interlarded. This assertion is backed 
by most of the London butchers, of whom I 
made inquiry, and 1 send you a letter for inser- 
tion from Mr. Guerrier to me, one of the best 
salesmen in London, who presented me with an 
engraving (^ 0:5) of the prize ox in 1837, the 
])roperty of Mr. John Thomas Smith, Portland, 
Lincolnshire. This ox obtained the first prize 



tclligent, enterprising farmers, such as know 
how to lay out their money judgmatically, we 
liave no objection to enter into a trade with 
Mr. Hewer, to take the whole of his extra stock 
yesirly, who says no other person shall have 
them for exportation. Any other breed of the 
first order, or any kind of animal England can 
jiroduee, I will endeavor to procure by the pur- 
chaser representing it to me, and the highest 
jirice he will give in New York, or any kind of 
field or garden seeds. But I must admonish 
the purchasers to show a little spirit, not to be 
afraid of their shadow in a good cause ; the best 
things in this world cannot be bought at low 



110 



IIISTOKY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



prices ; the expense and risk of shipping is very 
heavy, and not a very pleasant business for a 
sea-sick sailor." 

The following is the letter referred to, from 
Mr. Giierrier to Mr. Sotham, dated London and 
West Sniithfield, ITth April, 1840: 

Dear Sir : As I could not conveniently, dur- 
ing the Ijusy engagements of our market, reply 
to your inquiry respecting the breeds of Dur- 
ham and Hereford cattle, I take this oppor- 
tunity to state that never, during twenty years' 
experience as a salesman of cattle of all breeds 
in this market (Smithfield), although I have 
tried time without number, when I have had 
some of the best descriptions of Durhams to 
sell, could I succeed in persuading my best cus- 
tomers at the west end of London to pureliase 
Durhams when I had any well-bred Herefords 
to part with ; they one and all stated in cutting 
up the beef they find in the Herefords so much 
more roasting lieef to that of boiling. To satisfy 
your mind still further, just cast your eye over 
the particulars (wjiich I send for your perusal) 
of our last Christmas show of cattle. There 
you will perceive the Hereford takes the top 
prize. Attend our Smithfield show and you 
would be more than ever assured of the import- 
ance of the best breed of Herefords before that 



of Durhams. Last year I had Durhams 15 
stone per ox (300 lbs. live weight) heavier than 
Herefords, but could not realize so much by 
4d per stone of 8 lbs. (dead weight) as I could 

for the Herefords— Wishing you success 

in your undertaking, 

I am, sir, yours respectfully, 

WiLLIAlI GuEIiKIER. 

To W. H. Sotham. 

N. B. — I need not observe to you the remarks 
I have made regarding Herefords are not be- 
cause I am at all prejudiced against Durhams, 
Scots, or other breeds, but having with my 
father grazed all breeds for many years, and as 
a salesman, having for twenty years past, dur- 
ing wliicli time I have annually sold from 5,000 
to 10,000 cattle, consisting of all breeds, from 
Ireland, Scotland, as also in this kingdom, 
never found any breed of cattle more profitable 
than the said Herefords, if well bred. 

From the same volume of the "Cultivator" wo 
quote (p. 104) the following editorial matter: 

"One of the most important importations of 
cattle and sheep that has ever taken place in 
this country has just been made by the Honor- 
able Erastus Corning of this city and Wm. H. 
Sotham of Jefferson County. It consists, as 
will be seen in the list given in another part of 




HEREFORD STEER, 2 YEARS 11 MO.XTHS OLD, CHAMPION AT BIRMINGHAM AND SMITHFIELD. 1853. 
(Bred by T, Carter. Dodmore, near Ludlow, Herefordshire; fed by Mr. Heath of Norfolk.) 



1 1 I S T 1? Y ( ) 1-' H E 1? E F 1! D (' A T T T^ E 



111 



this paper, of twelve eows. calves aucl luMfers 
and twenty-five sheep. 'J'lie cattle are of the 
Herel'ord breed from Herefordshire, aud the 
very best animals that could be selected. The 
sheep are of large size, being the Cotswold, cross 
with the Bakewell, and probably as fine animals 
of the kind as ever imported. No one can avoid 
being struck with the extraordinary size of the 
cows, their fine forms, their muscular develo])- 
ment, denoting strength and pow(>r, and show- 
ing the basis of the reputation which the Tlere- 
fords formerly had for working cattle, and now 
have for feeding. The expense of the importa- 
tion was nearly $8,000. 



feeders, and the ilicliaelmas fair of Hereford 
is one of the finest shows of the kingdom. 

"We copy the following from the Encyclo- 
pedia published by the Society for the Diffusion 
of Useful Knowledge, Vol. XII, article, "Here- 
fordshire," as an accurate atx'ount of the gen- 
eral qualities of the breed : 

"' 'The prevalent breed of cattle is that for 
which this country is justly noted; their color 
is red with white or mottled faces, and fre- 
quently white along the back and about the 
legs. Good milkers are occasionally found 
among the cows, and it is possible that a race 
might le reared from this stock that icould he 




HEREFORD OX, 4 YEARS OLD, CHAMPION AT SMITHFIELD. 1863. 
(Bred by T. L. Meire, Shropshire; fed by Mr. Heath of Norfolk.) 



I 



"The attention of cattle breeders has within 
a few years been much directed in England to 
the improved Herefords, and princiiially in 
consequence of the numerous prizes which these 
cattle have taken at the great cattle shows of 
Smithfield, and lately at the fairs of the En- 
glish Agricultural Society. Although they 
have not in general reached the great weight of 
some of the improved Durhanis, yet the rapidity 
with which they take on flesh, the superior ex- 
cellence of the beef and their early maturity 
render them great favorites with tlie English 



useful for the pnil. But dtilnj farming is never 
practiced here, and the milk of the cows which 
are kept only for breeding is given to the calves. 
" 'It was formerly the custom to work oxen 
at three or four years old. and to feed and send 
them to market at five ; but there is now a com- 
plete change of system.' The oxen are no longer 
worked, hut are commonly fed when they are 
two years old and sent to market hefore they 
are three. Their early malurily aud the readi- 
ness with which they fatten make them suitable 
for this system of farming, (iraziers from the 



112 



HISTOEY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



south and middle of England drive a large 
number of this j)OiDular stock from the Here- 
ford Candlemas and October fairs. 

" 'The Hereford ox fattens more rapidhj Hutu 
the Devon and in proportion to the quantity uf 
food consumed lays on a greater weight of flesh, 
than a Durham ox. The result of a trial of tliis 
kind may be seen at page S-t of Youatt's "Cat- 
tle." That the flesh of the Hereford is of finer 
(luality than the Duriiams is jirovcd by the su- 
jiiTJor price jier stone which it obtains in tlie 
Smitliiield market.' 

"Comparatively few of the Herefords have 
as yet been introduced into this country. Mr. 
Bement of this city has a bull and a cow of this 
breed which are fine animals. The Honorable 
W. C. Rives of Virginia, and the Honorable 
Henry Clay of Kentucky have made importa- 
tions of these animals and they have been in 
their possession so long that either of these gen- 
tlemen could speak fully of their value as com- 
pared with the Shorthorns, in the points of feed- 
ing, milk, and endurance of our climate, and 
we think at this time, when attention is turned 
to the subject, they will confer a great benefit 
on the American public by stating the result of 
their experience and their opinions with regard 
to these cattle. We need not say we should be 



happy to be the medium of presenting such his- 
tory and opinions to the public. 

"We have i^resented these remarks in the 
liope of eliciting from some who are qualified 
for the task, a discussion of the comparative 
merits of the Herefords and the Shorthorns and 
their adaptation to our country for the purposes 
of feeding and the dairy. Both are valuable 
breeds; the question to be decided is, which, in 
all respects, is the most proper for us?"' 

It will be noticed in the foregoing that the 
"Cultivator" quotes the encyclopedia published 
by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful 
Knowledge, Vol. XII, article, "Herefordshire." 
It should be compared with the same society's 
Youatt book. We call attention to that por- 
tion of the "Cultivator's" quotations in italics 
(which are our own). Will the Shorthorn men 
recognize them as facts ? In the same volume, 
p. 158, a correspondent of the "Cultivator" says 
as follows : 

"Among the recent importations for improve- 
ment that have taken place in this state is that 
of Hereford cattle and Cotswold sheep, by 
Messrs. Corning & Sotbam of Albany. At- 
tracted by a letter of Mr. Sotham that appeared 
in the July number of the 'Cultivator,' when 
down last month, I made an inspection of these 







HEREFORD OX AT 4 YEARS; CHAMPION AT SMITHFIELD, 186S. 



1IIST015Y OF H EKE FORD CATTLE 



113 



superb animals that gave me a very different 
opinion than 1 have heretofore entertained oi' 
these breeds. All otiier Ilerefords that 1 had 
previously examined, in comparison with these, 
thou^di noble in a])])earaiiee, had large heads, 
thi(k necks, narrow hips and thin loins, com- 
pared witii ihe best Sborthorns, but these nearly 
ap|)roach them now in all such particulars, espe- 
cially in the great width of the hip bones, 
showing a capacity, when well fed, to place their 
meat in those parts where it is most valuable, 
and I cannot but coincide in the remark of one 
of our most distinguished breeders of Durhams, 
'that on the right soil they would give the 
Shortlinnis cnouirh (o do (o maintain their 



native dairy cows, they could be called even fair 
milkers. It is apparent, therefore, that in the 
general purposes of improving our native stock 
the Ilerefords cannot be rivals to the Durhams 
at least till they are further advanced to good 
milkers, which will then make them but in fact 
another race of improved Shorthorns. Yet, if 
the Herefords yield to the Durhams at the 
dairy, in the yoke they must be far superior to 
any other of the ox kind, for they have nearly 
the quick step, the fine bone, the sinew and 
muscle of the Devon, with a much greater 
weight and size. I could not but admire the 
great length and rotundity of the barrel, the 
smooth, powerful structure of their franu's, and 




HEREFORD OX, 2 YEARS OLD; CHAMPIONT AT SMITHFIELD. 1SS2. 
(Bred by Mr. F. Piatt.) 



present high position.' But how are they en- 
abled to accomplish this? Why, only by ap- 
proaching Shorthorn perfection in these par- 
ticulars. Yet, at present they are only the 
graziers' and butchers' stock; for, thougli 5Ir. 
Sotliam talks of their good milking qualities, 
I must confess that though I eyed them shar])- 
ly, and handled them closely, I was not favored 
with any such discoveries in their veins, nor 
did the ap])earance of their udders make up at 
all for this deficiency, and I should require 
some proof of the facts before I could be con- 
vinced that even in comparison with our good 



clean, elastic limbs. In fact, as workers, they 
seem to me to be that happy medium on the 
race of oxen that I am so desirous of seeing 
cultivated more generally in horses ; neither the 
light mettlesome racer on the one hand, nor 
the slow, lleshy cart-horse on the other, Imt the 
su])erior aiul more happily mixed general utili- 
tarian. To those who are breeding working 
oxen, or stock expressly for the butcher, I would 
strongly recommend these Herefords. I should 
think them particularly well adapted to the 
rich interior of the Western states, where cattle 
must be driven a great distance to market. In 



114 



H 1 S T K Y OF H E E E F E D CATTLE 



that case the blood of the Devons, to which the 
Herefords are so nearly allied, could not but 
tell, like that of the thoroughbred racer on the 
course." 

In the same volume of the '"Cultivator," p. 28, 
there is an essay on cattle by Henry S. EandaU. 
Of the Herefords he says as follows : 

"The Hereford ox is supposed to be descend- 
ed from the same stock with the Devon, but is 
larger, heavier in the bone, usually of a darker 
red or brown color, with a white face, throat 
and belly. They arc shorter-legged than the 




Devon, hardier and kindlier feeders, but less 
docile in temper, and even worse milkers. In- 
deed, a Hereford cow is rarely seen in an En- 
glish dairy. Their hardihood and great muscu- 
lar power give them the first rank among 
working cattle. This, together with their su- 
perior grazing qualities, has led to their intro- 
duction into the United States, by the Hon. H. 
Clay of Kentucky and several other individuals. 
But it is probable that their deficiency in milk- 
ing properties will always prevent their very 
gelieral ado])tion, either as a cross or in a pure 
state." 

This, as well as what is further stated, is 
selected mainly from Youatt (by Berry), and 
the essay has the evidence in itself as being 
for the purpose of bringing forward the Short- 
horns. Mr. C. W. Bement notices Mr. Ean- 
dall's reference to Herefords in the same vol- 
\ime, page 125 : 

"I was much gratified on perusing the excel- 
lent 'Essay on Cattle' in the February num- 
ber of the 'Cultivator,' from your talented cor- 
respondent Henry S. EandaU, Esq. His short, 
pithy history of several varieties is well calcu- 
lated to arrest the attention of farmers, and 
guide them in the selection of that breed best 
adapted to the difl'erent sections and purposes, 



for which they may be wanted, whether for the 
dairy, yoke or shambles. For instance, where 
the climate is mild, and a full and rich bite of 
grass at hand, and the dairy and beef the ob- 
ject, I would by all means recommend the Dur- 
hams; but where the climate is cold, seasons 
short, land rough and hilly, with a short and 
sweet bite of grass, with labor and beef the 
object, I would recommend the Hereford or 
Devon; and at the Northwest, in Missouri, Illi- 
nois and Wisconsin, where only beef is wanted, 
and where they have to be driven any great 
distance to market, from what I have seen and 
can learn, the Hereford certainly would be 
preferable, being hardy in constitution, good 
travelers, of great size, will fat at an early age, 
and will make more pounds of beef with the 
(piantity of food consumed, and when better 
l.iuiwn in market will command the highest 
price." 

.Mr. B. L. Allen says, as follows, on p. 112: 
"The best specimens I have seen are the Herc- 
'ords recently imported by Mr. Sotham, and 
now in the neighborhood of Albany; but as he 
promises a description in your journal, we may 
Jill hope to know more about a breed that has 
:'(ii- a long time assuredly been held in high 
rstiination abroad." 

ilr. J. H. Hepburn, on page 102, says: 
"Another matter of surprise, not only to me 
but to many others who derive their book knowl- 
edge of these matters from your paper, is the 
effort now apparently making both in England 
and America to elevate a different breed of cat- 
tle over the heads of the Durhams. I have par- 
ticularly examined the account of the recently 
imported Herefords in the few last numliers 
of the 'Cultivator,' and read the appended rec- 
ommendations. I have never seen a sample of 
the Herefords, but have been familiar with 
their history as recorded by Mr. Youatt in his 
work on 'British Cattle ;' and taking the text 
as laid down l)y him"minutely, the recent dis- 
coveries of excellencies in these cattle, calculated 
to place them before the Durhams or Short- 
horns, have been matters of considerable sur- 
prise. This, to some of the advocates of the 
Herefords, may sound strange, but the strange- 
ness of the observation will disappear, if they 
examine fully the chapters devoted by Mr. 
Youatt to the different breeds of cattle, in 
what may be now, strictly speaking, called their 
native counti'y. If I understand the work re- 
ferred to, the cngrnvinfjs in it are calculated for 
correct representations of the living animals; 
and, independent of the writings, they alone 
will be sufficient to satisfy any breeder that 
some of the allegations made of the suprriori- 



H I S T R Y F H E K !•: F O 1} D C A T T L E 



lis 



ties of the recent importations of Hercfords, 
if they resemble their progenitors, cannot be 
correct. It these statements are correct, and 
the appearance and test of the animals willprove 
it, tlien improvement has been extended to 
them. // thcij hare now properties that the 
breed in the time of Youatt's writings had not 
|l>ut tive years previous. T. L. M.], it is a very 
inij)ortant question to know how they liave ac- 
(luired those projierties. Mk. Y'ouatt says: 
'The Hereford cow is apparently a very inferior 
animal. Not only is she no milker, but her 
form has been sacrificed by the breeder.' These 
oljservations or these assertions of positive facts, 
for such we must take them to be when from a 
standard work, do not read well with the recent 
assertions of Mr. Sotham and Mr. Bement— the 
first of whom holds out the idea that they are 
equal to the Shorthorn or Durham, and the 
latter that they are very good milkers and large. 
The latter gentleman, however, states that ho 
has understood their qualities for milk have 
been 'recently improved.' How have they been 
improved in their quality for milk? Not, cer- 
tainly, by breeding among themselves, for the 
trite and true a.xiom is settled, I believe, that 
'like Ijcgets like.' If, then, the Hercfords in 
the time of Y'ouatt, and for years before that, 
Were no 'milkers," how has the present improve- 
ment in that quality been effected? It must 
have been by the aid of some other breed, cele- 
lirated for their possession of that quality, and 
Ijy whose aid, also, the form of the Hereford 
cow has been so materially improved, for Mr. 
Sotham says his are fine looking animals, and 
so says Mr. R. L. Allen, if I recollect right, 
who states that he saw them near Albany. 

"Now, Messrs. Editors, may it not be pos- 
sible that we are at the commencement of an- 
other 'stock mania,' by which John Bidl is 
about to realize thousands from the farmers of 
.\merica by selling them a compound breed of 
l)cautiful cattle, the essential qualities of whicli 
liavc been derived and that very recently, from 
the Shorthorns, that we have been making heavy 
importations of, for years back? Let any candid 
man answer the question for his own satisfac- 
tion. See what the Hercfords were>; hear what 
they are now, and then say if there is any im- 
propriety in charging their admitted 'recent 
imjirovenient" in points in which Shorthorns 
excel, to an admixture with them. If such is 
the fact, and we have a number of the finest 
specimens of the Shorthorns, cannot we, by 
judicious crossings and attention to these mat- 
ters breed, for ourselves, if I may be allowed the 
expression, a breed of cattle without expending 
enormous sums to pay our trans-Atlantic neigh- 



bors for doing work that we ought now to do 
for ourselves? The state of the times is such 
as to call loudly upon every man in every sta- 
tion of society to do his duty to himself and 
to his country; and I state it boldly, without 
fear of contradiction, that there is now abun- 
dant material in our own country to retain, by 
judicious breeding, the purity of the full-bred 
Durham, and to commingle their perfections 
with the stock of our own country, in such a 
manner as to produce a race of animals equal 
to that of any other country under the sun, 
for dairy qualities as well as for the butcher." 

The reader of to-day will see the Shorthorn 
advocate quoting Y^ouatt (Berry). At page 
161 is the following letter written by Mr. So- 
tham, from Portsmouth : 

"Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker: I am so far 
on my journey with the best lot of stock ever 
seen together. They consist of the following 
[sheep omitted. T. L. M.] : 

'•One Hereford cow [Spot lOTl — alias 
Matchless, T. L. M.] that won the first prize at 
Oxford, 1839, against all England, and a young 
bull [Young Prize lOTO (2333) T. L. M.] 
from her eleven months old. 

"Two five-year-old Hereford heifers. These 
heifers are in calf by Dangerous 1619 (119), 




CITY OF HEREKOKD, CATHEDFiAL AND WYE BRIDGE. 

a yearling bull that is to be shown against all 
England next year. 

"One half-bred between the Hereford and 
Durham to show the cross, which I think is an 
excellent one, probably better than the pure- 
bred of either and from what I saw of Mr. 
Cother's stock, of Middle Aston, it might be 
extended much further than is generally sup- 
posed, for his fourth cross was equal to the 
first — not the least sign of degeneration. Of 
this I will say more when I have more time, for 
it is now ])recious. * * * 



IIG 



H I S T R Y F II E R K FORD CATTLE 



"We shall show a number of our cattle at the 
show at Niblo's, in October, where we invite the 
owners of the best cattle in America to appear 
against us (with the best of feeling), for it is 
opposition and competition that spurs us on 
to superiority, but prejudice must be put out of 
the question. Let reality be our helmsman and 
perseverance our motto, and then our country 
can be equal in stock to any on the globe. It 
all depends on the people. * * * 

"Mr. Hewer has numerous backers, if he will 
allow it, to show from one sheep to a hundred 
against any person in the world, either ewes or 
rams. He has been very careless about showing 
his sheep and cattle, having met with a ready 
sale without it. 

"I am, dear sirs, yours sincerely, 

"Wm. Hy. Sotham. 

"PortsmoTith, Aug. 2-t, 1840." 

We find the following letter from Mr. Sotham 
at page 176. We quote from this: 

"Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker: * * * In 
perusing your valuable paper I noticed an ar- 




HEREFORDSHIRE FARMYAKU SCENK. 
(Takeu at Mr. Newton Moore's, Sutton.) 

'tide from Mr. Randall on cattle, which dif- 
fered widely from my opinion in many in- 
stances. I cannot say I agree with him or his 
quotations on Herefords. I am sofry to dis- 
pute a person who has so much zeal for his 
country, but I know his good sense will hark 
back to a fault if caught on a bad scent. When 
he catches me running the same course I will 
hail his correction with pleasure and profit 
from his good intention. 

"He says : 'They are larger boned, usually of 
a darker red, or browner color than the Devon 
and even worse milkers; indeed, a Hereford 
cow is rarely seen in an English dairy.' Prob- 
ably he might have made these assertions 
twenty or thirty years ago without fear of con- 



tradiction, but no practical man of the present 
day will allow them to pass with impunity, un- 
noticed. The Herefords, like everything else 
that is looking towards perfection, have met 
many unjust accusations, and I must say that 
breed, with the Cotswold sheep, have had to 
contend against prejudice and abuse in Eng- 
land more than any other breeds ever ex- 
hibited; but they have fought their up-hill 
course with great credit; their good qualities 
have triumphed even over the most prejudicial, 
and have won a permanent standing in Uk' esti- 
mation of the first breeders that will iKif be 
easily forestalled. The Hereford o.xeu have 
taken the first prize in each class at the Smith- 
field shows for the last two years. * * * 

"I must say to Mr. Randall that the pure 
Herefords are not larger and heavier in their 
bone ; there is as much good breeding shown 
in their limbs as any breed in existence. The 
working oxen are as good and as docile as any, 
and I think I can forward a Hereford cow that 
will fill the pail as high as most Durhams or 
Devons, and if Mr. Randall will take an ocular 
survey of English dairies he will find in them 
more Herefords and crosses from them than 
any other breed, though the best breeds of cattle 
are far between, even in England. This con- 
demnation has arisen more from theory and 
hearsay than practice. The best proof of this 
is to refer Mr. Randall to Class 5 of the Royal 
Agricultural Society at Oxford, 1839, and he 
will there find that the Hereford cow won the 
first prize against all England, in the opinion 
of the judges, as the best calculated for dairy 
purposes; the Durham obtained the second. This 
is a quotation that cannot be disputed, and one 
much calculated to retrieve the injured char- 
acter of the Herefords as milkers — though an 
animal that can be fattened with facility is 
sufficient recommendation, as the steer, the ox 
and the cow must ultimately come to the sham- 
bles. A pure-bred Hereford bull will cross well 
with any breed, and I shall be much disap- 
pointed if they do not afford more actual bene- 
fit to the United States than any other breed 
ever imported. It was this impression that in- 
duced me to give them the decided preference. 
The female Durham is thought to be a better 
cross with other breeds than the bull. Mr. 
Randall, in extolling the Durhams, quotes from 
the 'Farmer's Series' the following: 

" 'In early maturity they have confessedly no 
rivals, being ready for the butcher for from two 
to four years earlier than the other English 
breeds.' I should imagine his author meant 
Herefords when he advanced this; if not, prac- 
tice and experience will admit them to have at 



H 1 S T ( ) I! Y OF HE 1! K F U i; 1 ) (' A T T L E 



117 



Ic'Mst one year in advance of all others; beyond 
this would look too niueh like lictiou, for it 
must be deemed unprolitahle to keep steers over 
three years, unless for use of the yoke. Here- 
fords decidedly hold the first j)lace in Enghind 
for early nuiturity and a tendency to the secre- 
tion of fat. They often go to market at two 
years old. 

"In my opinion, good liips and rumps with 
e.\i>anded chest in cow or bull are very promi- 
nent points. A kind chop, a straight chine 
well lined with good ((uality <if llesh, backed up 
by gootl round sides, straight with the shoulder, 
are valuable acquisitions when you cannot get 
perfection. There are more cattle fail behind 
the shoulders than any other point, and when 
this is the case they are apt to show much 
paunch, which, to me, is a very great objection; 
reason seems to say: exorbitant belly, consumes 
much food, very unprofitable, and are not so 
apt to fatten ; this I have frequently noticed 
minutely, and invariably found it so. Flesh 
hides a multiplicity of faults, but will never 
hide this, which I consider a very importajit 
one. 

"There is also much to be learnt in feeding 
cattle, and it is very essential to discover the 



daily consumption of each beast so as to give 
them Just as much as they will eat, leaving a 
clear manger to sleep over; if they have hay 
before them to blow on it weakens the appe- 
tite almost to satiety. If a beast is cloyed witli 
any kind of food he does not relish it again for 
many days. Cattle, when feeding, require much 
water, and it is very essential. A person who 
has a thorough knowledge of feeding, sees, im- 
mediately he enters the stable, whether his 
cattle have been regularly and sufficiently fed 
and watered; if they are at all restless, they 
are not satisfied, and it is a certain omen of 
something wrong. They should not be dis- 
turbed more than absolutely necessary ; the 
more quiet they are kept, the better they thrive. 
Much has been said on feeding raw potatoes 
to cattle. I think them valuable, given in a 
limited degree. The generality of farmers give 
too many, which loosens the bowels, without 
aiding the body. They can be well supplied 
with meal once a day, so as not to affect the 
quietness of the stomach. The Swede (better 
known in America as rutabaga) may be fed 
more extensively. They suit both the palate 
and constitution, and are a very profitable root 
to the farmer. England would be lost without 




■THE W()01)[-EVS." WOOTON. OXFORnSIHUE. ENO. 
lEstatc of the Sotham family; birthplace of Vfm. il. Sntham.) 



118 



HISTUKY OF HEKEFORD CATTLE 



it, as it is fed to advantage to many kinds of 
animals. 

"The breeders of stock and tillers of soil 
ought to be intimately vmited, or the antic- 
ipated improvement in husbandry will end in 
disappointment. Could we establish agricul- 
tural societies and combine in friendship, the 
more we met together and the oftener we dis- 
cussed subjects connected with agricultural 
matters, the greater would be the advantages 
that would ensue. I hope this feeling will be 
established in Jefferson County and that we 
shall be able to meet together to awaken the 
farming interest and promote the public good. 
"I am. dear sirs, yours most sincerely, 

Wji. H. Sotiiam. 
"Perch Lake Farm, Jefferson Countv, N. Y., 

1840. 

"N. B. — I have met witli the last three num- 
bers of your valuable paper since writing the 
above, and will answer all reference to my com- 
munication in your next." 

It is most notable that Mr. Sotham advo- 
cated a system in 1840 akin to the all-prevail- 
ing "Agricultural Institute" of to-day. He was 
half a century ahead of his time. 

In same volume, pp. 193-4, we quote H. S. 
Randall in full : 



"Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker : In the August 
number of the 'Cultivator' Mr. Bement of Al- 
bany expresses the opinion that the statement 
made by me in a previous number, 'that the 
Durham would lose in milking properties by a 
cross with the Devon or Hereford' was incorrect. 
Mr. Benu'nfs skill as a breeder and his candor 
as a gentleman, to both of which I am happy 
to bear ample testimony, entitle his opinion to 
much respect. The subject, too, derives addi- 
tional interest from the recent importation of 
Herefords and the introduction of several valu- 
able herds of Devons into our state. 

"The essay of mine from which Mr. Bement 
quotes was designed rather to correct several 
popular errors than to furnish a text-book for 
the scientific breeder. But brief and imperfect 
as was the account it contained of the Here- 
fords, much subsequent examination of both 
English writers and living English breeders 
has only confirmed me in the correctness of the 
positions therein assumed, particularly of the 
one controverted by Mr. B. His evidence, 
founded on the results of his own experience, 
is good as far as it goes, but a few instances 
does not establish a rule. The entire prepon- 
derance of testimony, both of writers and breed- 
ers in England, is against the milking proper- 




"THE WOODLEYS." OXFORDSHIRE. (Birthplace of Wm. H. Sotham. Rear view.) 



HISTORY OF H E K E F R D CATTLE 



119 



ties both of the Devon and the Hereford. The 
work' on British Cattle, by JIk. Youatt, is 
acknowledged the standard work of the day on 
the subject on which it treats. Mr. Bement re- 
lies on it as his authority in favor of the Here- 
fords. On tlie same page from which he quotes, I 
lind tlie following (one wouhl think) conclusive 
statements : 'The Herefords are far worse milk- 
ers than the Devons. This is so generally ac- 
knowledged that while there are many dairies 
of Devon cows in various parts of the country, 
none of which, however, are very profitable to 
tlieir owners, a dairy of Herefords is rarely 
found." Again, 'the Hereford cow is apparently 
a very inferior animal. Not only is she no 
milker but even her form has been sacrificed by 
the breeder.' Our friend of the Three Hills 
Farm, is, I presume, too good a lawyer to at- 
tempt to invalidate his own witness. If such are 
facts, how are we to suppose that the Shorthorn, 
concededly the first breed in England or Amer- 
ica as milkers, will suffer no deterioration in 
this projx-rty by a cross with a breed so decid- 
edly inferior? Whatever results individual ex- 
]ieriments have led to, such a position would be 
at variance with every established maxim of 
breeding. 

''I desire to be distinctly understood in my 
remarks as taking no ground against either tlie 
Devon or the Hereford, except in the single 
point involved in this controversy. The stylish 
and highbred Devon has always been a decided 
favorite with me. Of the Herefords, I know 
little personally, but am prepared from tlie 
English publications of the day as well as the 
testimony of American breeders, to believe that 
in positions suited to them they may be regard- 
ed as a valuable acquisition to our American 
Ijrecds of cattle. On the large and little culti- 
vated prairie farms of the western states, where 
early maturity and milking qualities are of lit- 
tle consequence and where they must be driven 
great distances to market, the Herefords can 
have few equals. The Hon. Henry Clay, of 
Kentucky, was the first importer of this breed 
into the United States, and the following ex- 
tracts from a letter which I received from him. 
bearing date Se])t. 21. will, I doubt not, be read 
with muf-h interest : 

" 'I first imported. u]nvards of twenty years 
ago, two pairs of the Hereford reds, and bred 
from crosses between them until I was induced 
to discontinue in consequence of an apprehen- 
sion that I should breed in too far, which in 
some instances I found to be the case. I could 
not obtain conveniently crosses from other 
females of the same race.' 

"Mr. Clay afterwards remarks: 'My opinion 



is that the Herefords make better work cattle, 
are hardier, and will, upon being fattened, take 
themselves to market better than their rivals. 
They are also fair milkers. On the other hand, 
the Durhams, I think, have the advantage in 
earlier maturity, in beauty, and in the equality 
of milk which they will yield. They will also 
attain greater weight and size even. 

" 'The choice between the two races should 
be regulated somewhat by circumstances. If 
one has rich, long and luxuriant grasses, afford- 
ing a good bite, and has not too far to drive to 
market, he had better breed the Durhams; 
otherwise, the Herefords.' 




HEREFORD cow , .MAI III. I,,. ALIAb S.POT. 

(V. 5, P. n:;) 1074. 

(Bred by J. Turner, Noke Court, Herefordshire: imported 

by Wm. H. Sotham. First prize R. A. S. E. show 

at Oxford. 1S39; dam of the first prize yearling 

bull at the same show.) 

"After some remarks in relation to the origin 
of the two races, he continues: 'The Herefords 
resemble the Devons — the race of New England 
cattle, and a fine race it is. But the Herefords 
have the advantage over them of greater size, 
greater length, more power consequently for 
draft, and are, I think, quite as quick in the 
ste]i and as good at the pail.' 

" 'I have tlius,'he says, 'expressed my opinion ; 
but I must add that here in Kentucky, the 
Durhams are generally preferred to all other 
races. Our grasses are rich and abundant, and 
our blue grass especially (a name improperly 
given, for it is a green sward) is an object of 
great admiration. The Durhams are much more 
generally distributed than the Herefords, there 
being none of the latter, within my knowledge, 
but what have sprung from my importation.' 

"Mr. Clay's opinion cannot be regarded other- 
wise than as strong testimony in favor of the 
Herefords, though I presume his general state- 
ments are to be understood to apply as much 
to his mixed as to his pure-bred animals. That 
mixture was with the Shorthorn, and it is not 
impossible that this drop of alien blood has had 



120 



HISTORY OF HEKEFOKD CATTLE 



a siguiiicant bearing on their 'fair" milking 
properties. Nor is it to be presumed that this 
cross has resulted in very serious deterioration 
to tlie Herefords in other respects. 

""Since writing tlie above tlie 'Cultivator" of 
November has come to hand, containing a com- 
munication from Mr. Sotham on the subject of 
the Herefords, in which he takes the same posi- 
tioij with Mr. Bement in relation to their milk- 
ing properties, and also denies the correctness 
of other portions of my description of them, in 
the essay already alluded to. Mr. Sotham has 
doubtless imported some very valuable animals. 
I have not had the pleasure of seeing them but 
have conversed with several intelligent breed- 




MR lU ST s c I All ULKt I OKU 0\ W Ere,HT 3 700 LBS 
(The sensation of the first N. Y. S. F., 1841.) 

ers who have examined them closely, and who 
speak of them favorably. One gentleman writes 
me : 'They have nearly the size and breadth 
of loin of the Durham, but are coarser in the 
head and are not so handsome.' 

"This is certainly a very different descrip- 
tion from that given by Mr. Youatt. How are 
we to account for this discrepancy? It is but 
six years since Mr. Youatt wrote, and his re- 
marks, therefore, cannot be supposed to apply 
to the breed as they existed 'twenty or thirty 
years ago,' as suggested by Mr. Sotham. It is 
well known, too, that his great work on 'Briti.sh 
Cattle" was published under tlie auspices of the 
Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, 
and tliat he was aided in it by the first breeders 
in England, who are equally responsible with 
himself for the correctness of his statements. 
Writing with little individual interest or bias 
of his own. it is perfectly apparent through his 
whole work that it is his aim to present every 
breed possessing any charms, in its most favor- 
able coloring. The quotations made by me are 
neither isolated nor garl>led ones. The history 
of the struggle between the Durhams and the 



Herefords, as well as the Devons, Lancashires, 
etc., is the same throughout nearly all the most 
fertile districts of England. In almost every 
one the star of the Shorthorns has risen to the 
ascendant. It strikes me as idle to talk of 'un- 
just accusations,' 'prejudice and abuse," as di- 
rected towards any particular breed. The con- 
test has been a warm one — many severe things 
have been said on both sides, but how are we 
to suppose that the Herefords have been more 
'abused" or called on to encounter more 'preju- 
dice" than their rivals? One woukl naturally 
infer precisely the contrary. The Herefords 
are an indigenous breed — or, at all events, they 
separated from the parent stock (the Devon) 
at a period 'whereof the memory of man run- 
neth not to the contrary.' On the other hand, 
it is little less than a century since a little hand- 
ful of cattle, in the hands of three or four 
l)reeders, on the banks of the Tees, were at- 
taining that superiority which has since as- 
serted itself beyond intervening oceans, on the 
then scarcely discovered Ohio. 'Prejudice' is 
ordinarily enlisted on the side of antiquity and 
opposition to innovation. The Herefords were 
a known and favorite Ijreed long before the im- 
proved family of Shorthorns had their origin. 
The Shorthorns were the innovators — innova- 
tors in size, shape, and last, but not least, in 
popular estimation, color. Is it not they instead 
of their opponents which have been made the 
particular victims of 'abuse' and 'prejudice?" I 
confess I have always so regarded it. I will cite 
one specimen of unfairness and 'abuse' which 
has been frequently resorted to against them. 
It is this: The advocates of other breeds in 
making their pretended experiments between 
improved Shorthorns and their own favorite 
breed, in feeding properties, etc., have repeat- 
edly selected the unimproved Shorthorn 
(known as Lincolns, Teeswater, Holderness, 
etc.) to make the trial with, and then publish 
the result to the world as a fair exijeriment. 
But enough of this. 

"]\Ir. Sotham differs as widely from Mr. Clay 
as from Mu. Youatt. Mr. Clay says: 'The 
Herefords resemble the Devons, the race of New 
England cattle.' Do the Devons or New Eng- 
land cattle approximate in size and breadth of 
loin to the Durham? A single instance of this 
kind might well lie deemed an extraordinary 
one. 

"I will not refer to Marshall, Lawrence, Cul- 
ley, Loudan, or the other old English writers, 
because it may be objected that the breed has 
changed since their day [discretion the better 
part here. T. L. M.] It may be remarked, 
however, that they speak of the Herefords in 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



151 



the sumo general terms with Mr. Youatt. [Not 
Marsliall. T. L. M.J I might cite the opinions 
of many eminent English [Shorthorn. T. L. 
M.| breeders residing in this country, in cor- 
roboration of their ()])inions, but shall not do it 
on tills occasion as it would occupy much space 
in an otherwise sulliciently extended article. 

"1 will now ask if the concurrent testimony 
of all the standard English writers of cattle, 
ancient and recent, corroborated, too, by state- 
ments of many eminent breeders, do not prove 
that the Ilerefords have been — have been, too, 
if we may rely on the authority of Mr. Youatt, 
unchanged until within six years. If it is pre- 
tended that any so great and radical a change 
has i)een effected during that period, does it not 
devolve on him who asserts it, to show and to 
])rove when and where, and how that change has 
been effected ? 

"If a few specimens of animals called' by 
name are relied on alone to prove it, the ques- 
tion arises, what certainty have we that they 
truly represent the breed, or that they are pure 
l)looded and unadulterated animals. The Short- 
horn cross, for instance, engrafted on the Here- 
ford might work wonders if the color was at- 
tended to. It would ofEer a very convenient so- 
lution to the physiological enigma of converting 
a small, shapeless and milkless cow into a state- 
ly, broad-hipped, deep-milking animal, all 
within the space of six years. I do not pretend 
to state that such a cross has been made, be- 
cause I know nothing about it. Mr. Sotham 
doubtless ascertained the character of the men 
he dealt with. That Hereford oxen, and some- 
times Hereford cows, have recently received 
many prizes from English Agricultural Socie- 
ties, I have no disposition to deny or conceal. 
The oxen in such cases are exhibited in refer- 
ence to their ripeness for the hands of the 
butcher. The Ilerefords are conceded on all 
hands to he a breed that feed kindly, and that 
they should occasionally receive prizes is much 
less surprising than would be the fact that 
they did not. But if a Hereford cow has tri- 
umphed over the Durham as a dairy cow, it is 
certainly a new thing imder the sun, provided 
the Durhams were properly represented. I pre- 
sume that no breeder of Ilerefords in this coun- 
try will he found willing to challenge the hreed- 
ers of Shorthorns to such a contest. 

"But suppose we concede the point that a 
few English breeders have approximated the 
Hereford to the Shorthorn in size, shape, early 
maturity, etc., the question immediately pre- 
sents itself, cid bono? If the Durham already 
])ossesses certain properties in the greatest at- 
tainaiile dcifrce, what is the jiraclical henefit of 



forming a new, or remodeling an old variety, 
only to attain the same properties? Is it not 
better to avail ourselves of the skill and indus- 
try of those who have gone before us, commenc- 
ing where they left off, than it is to spend our 
whole lives in trying to overtake them by a road 
of our own ? What should we say of the stu- 
dent of mathematics, who, disdaining to avail 
himself of the labors and discoveries of New- 
ton and La Place, should begin do novo with 
the nine digits and attempt to build \\\\ a math- 
ematical system of his own ? 

"But it is contended that the Hereford, if 
made equal to the Durham in its peculiar 
points of value, will superadd to them that 
hardihood and muscular power peculiar to the 
old Herefords. This cannot be. It is contrary 
to physiological laws, which every man's obser- 
vation has recognized. The wild boar of the des- 
ert, or the pencil immortalized 'Land-pike' of 
Mr. Allen, is a better traveler and possesses 
more muscular power than the quiet and fat- 
secreting Chinese hog. The untamed Argall, 
that subsists among the rocks and glaciers of 
the Alps, is an animal of greater endurance 
and muscular energy than its descendant, the 




WOODBl.XE. 

(Calved 1850. Bred bv Wm. H. Sotham; property of H. 

Bowen, Jr., Summit, N. Y. First prize N. Y. S. F., 

1853.) 

Leicester sheep. That course of breeding which 
modeled the Chinese hoEf, the new Leicester 
sheep or the Durham ox, has, and inevitably 
must deprive the animal from whicli they de- 
scended of that fleetness, strength and endur- 
ance of the rigors of climate, whicli was neces- 
sary for their protection before they were 
subjected to the dominion of man. 

"The Hereford, if converted into a Durham, 
will cease to be a Hereford. Marshall, in giving 



122 



HISTORY OF HEREFOED CATTLE 



his eulogistic description of the Hereford ox 
for labor, did not write of a quiet, sleep-loving 
animal, which would become a lump of fat at 
two years old. Mr. Clay, in referring to the 
same point, said nothing of animals possessing 
the size and broad loin of the Durham, and one 
year's earlier , maturity. He spoke of a race 
'resembling the New England cattle.' 

"But after all, I am not quite convinced that 
the Herefords have been converted into Dur- 
hams. If Messrs. Walker, Hewer, and other 
breeders in Gloucestershire, had possessed such 
animals six years since, it is astonishing thai 
they should have escaped the notice of Mr.You- 




Vi'ILLIAM MILLER (UNCLE WILLIE). STORM LAKE, lA. 

(One of the Millers at Markham who bred Mr. Sotham's 

kind of Shorthorns.) 

ATT — if they have been created, so to speak, 
since, it is a little short of miraculous. On the 
bleak highlands of Gloucester no breed has been 
cultivated with any very marked success. In 
the vale of Berkeley (a name so cherished by all 
lovers of good cheese) the prevailing breed is a 
compound of nearly everything, the old Glou- 
cester, Hereford, Devon, Durham, Leicester, 
Suffolk, Dun, North Wilts, etc. Mr. Youatt 
says expressly: 'There are (in the vale of 
Berkeley) no Herefords for the pail, a few 
Devons, some Suffolks, a few North Wilts, and 



the rest Gloucesters, with various crosses.' And 
not a word does he say of a race of Herefords in 
this county equaling the Devons in size and 
form, 'filling the pail as high as most of them,' 
of one years earlier maturity, etc., etc. 

"Now, who shall decide when doctors disa- 
gree ? Mk. Youatt has certainly given as much 
attention to the comparison of the English 
l)reeds as any other individual — is thought in 
England to be about as well qualified to arrive 
at a. correct decision as any other individual, 
and, above all, had no personal interest in the 
result. This last consideration is of no little 
import. 'It is according to our gifts,' as the 
Pathfinder would say, that every man's goose 
should have a most swan-like appearance to 
iiimself. I do not doubt the propriety of Mr. 
Sotham's motives, or the sincerity of his con- 
victions. He doubtless believes as he would 
have us believe. He deserves high credit for 
his enterprise for introducing so valuable a 
stock of cattle, but when he calls upon us to give 
up opinions supported by all the best English 
authorities — opinions until now unquestioned, 
we must demand something besides the author- 
ity of an interested witness. 

"Yours truly, 

"Henry S. Raxdall. 

"Cortland Village, Nov. 16, 18-10."" 

The reader will here recognize the reasons 
for placing prominently heretofore the fact of 
Youatt's "History of British Cattle" being 
written by Berry, a Shorthorn breeder, and why 
we have been so particular to show the record of 
the Sniithfield Show ; the experiments of the 
Duke of Bedford ; the sales of Mr. Wcstcar, and 
the value of Hereford beef on the London mar- 
ket. 

In replying to Mr. Hepburn, Mr. Sotham 
wrote the publishers of the "Cultivator," as fol- 
lows : 

"Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker: Anxious as I 
may appear to defend the Herefords against 
all unjust attacks, I hope not to depreciate any 
other breed by it. However high I may value 
their good qualities, there are other breeds that 
are commendable. I think the right sort of 
Durhams hard animals to be beaten, and will 
never be intentionally depreciated in value 
from my remarks. If I advance my opinion to 
society, I am subject to public criticism, and 
am ready and willing to meet it. I neither 
aim at (lisplay nor ever expect to derive .any 
pecuniary benefit from it; whenever I am in 
error, I hope to be corrected, as what I advise 
is from my own observation and practice, and 
I trust founded on facts. When ]n-oved so, all 
I ask is to have them confirmed. Should they 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD C A T T L E 



123 



tend to promote the 2)iil)lic good, my hopes are 
rejilized, the obligation canceled, and 1 am sat- 
isfied. 1 will now endeavor to answer the ob- 
jections brought against tlie Herefords by Mr. 
llepliurn. 

"Mr. H., I see, has read Youatt, and quoted 
a passage from him that he would do better to 
re])enise. How far Youatt's practical kuowleilge 
extends is to me a matter of doubt, especially 
when he says, 'the Hereford cow is an inferior 
animal ; not only is she no milker, but even her 
form has been sacrificed by the breeder.' I 
refer .Mr. H. back to his own quotation, and he 
will perceive that Mr. Y. acknowledges the 
breeder to have tended to form his cow, to breed 
a good ox. I would ask ilr. H. if a good ox 
can be bred from an inferior animal, or if any 
breed of any kind can be kept up with inferior 
dams? There seems to me to be something 
wrong in the remark of Mr. Y. that does not 
read well to a practical man. I will also refer 
him to a sale of Herefords twenty years sim-e 
that will show that they stood high at that time 
in_ the estimation of breeders. A sale of Here- 
ford cattle took place at Wellington, Hereford- 
shire, Oct. 18th, 1820, the property and extra 
stock of the Jlisscs Tomkins, at which 29 lots, 
consisting of 16 cows, 5 heifers, 2 two-year-old 
bulls, six calves, were sold for £4,709 7s; the 
highest price was a two-vear-old bull, which sold 
for £.588, or $2,010. The average price of the 
29 animals was £162 7s, nearly $800 each. This 
sale can be referred to by any Hereford or Dur- 
ham breeder of note in England as a bona fide 
sale. If Jlr. Youatt had been at this sale prior 
to writing his views of Herefords it might have 
been couched in a different position, as I can- 
not allow the good judgment of English breed- 
ers to be so disgraced as to give such prices for 
inferior animals. I cannot think Mr. Youatt 
gleaned his information from practical men, or 
where were the advocates of all other breeds 
when the owner of Trojan offered to show him 
against all England for a thousand guineas? 
This was more than twenty years since. I can 
refer to date and all particulars if necessary. 
If he had been an inferior animal it certainly 
would have Iteen accepted, or could any inferior 
animal breed a bull of this description? Let 
England produce a better bull of any breed 
tlian old C'otmore, or Major, of the present day; 
tiien I will be convinced that Herefords can be 
beaten. 

"I might trace the origin of the Durhams 
from the ancients without any proof that it was 
that breed only, deserved from it the ascend- 
ancy. I miglit pursue their advancement and 
find them su|iported iiy tin' hands of wealthv. 



popular men, who nursed them with the most 
tender care, who spared no expense in effecting 
their improvement, and gave them the advan- 
tage of their art, skill and study. In the mean- 
time, a better breed may spring up, go through 
a less flattering process, and come out trium])h- 
antly, and I think all will allow that Durhams 
have had the decided advantage over Herefords 
in this respect. 

"I am sorry that my remarks do not read 




Zandt-Det. 



CARDINAL WISEMAN, 1202. 
(Calved 1850; bred by Rev. J. R. Smythies, Lynch Court, 
Herefordshire; imported by Corning & Sotham, Albany, . 
N. Y. First prize N. Y. S. F , 1853.) 

well to Mr. H. after reading a standard work. 
1 should like him to explain to me the true de- 
rivation of that standard, and establish its 
firm foundation. My idea is that the practical 
man that makes the improvement is the truest 
standard. A man may be proficient in disease, 
and effect many miraculous cures, which I have 
no doubt Mr. Youatt has done, and is as highly 
respected as any man in England, but we are 
all liable to mistakes, and are all open to cor- 
rection. I am sorry that my efforts are called 
forth against him. Whatever the Herefords 
may have been, they are all they are represented 
to be, beautiful, noble animals. And I think 
other breeds will find that they are something 
to contend against, to maintain the top stand- 
ing, and, as our worthy and esteemed friend A. 
B. Allen, Esq., says, that good and gentlemanly 
judgment is showing itself in Ohio, that is all I 
ask to judge, and will cheerfully abide by the 
decision. True judgment, and a right spirit in 
agriculture, is all that America requires to make 
her what she ought to be, the head of all na- 
tions. It was that only that kept England up, 
and raised her to what she is. 

"I cannot agree with Mr. H. when he tries 
to deter men from importing. My idea is that 
we should get the best animals that can be ob- 
tained and of every breed that are likelv to 



IM 



HISTORY OF HEilEFORI) CATTLE 



render service, leaving prejudice out of the 
question, and as many of them as the purse vi'ill 
allow. A good start is half the battle, and now 
is the time to make that start. Those who wish 
to obtain glory and honor in warfare must not 
come to the field when the battle is won, but 
must share some part of the burden. Money 
cannot pay a man for the care, anxiety, and 
risk he is exposed to in importing stock. It is 
a task that I shall 1)e glad to see others under- 
take, as I have done my share of the duty. I 
must now do Justice to those we have, which 
is much the pleasantest part; there is no art, 
no science, no study so pleasing, so substan- 
tially gratifying to the mind of man, as to fully 
develop the good points of animals, in his own 
superior skill and management. It may be 
made the theme of usefulness. My opinion of 
securing good stock, with economy in view, is 




SWEETHEART 2ND. 602. AND VESTA 4TH, 1232A, AT 

18 MONTHS (1S67). 

(Bred by F. W. Stone. Guelph. Ont., Canada.) 

this : the farmer should procure two heifers and 
a bull of the very best order of that breed his 
taste directed, and let no price stop him, if the 
purse will sanction it ; what says Shakespeare 
that "^purse is trash;' so say I, compared with 
good animals. They were wealth of the first 
people; why not continue that of the present? 

"With any ordinary luck the progeny of two 
females will soon extend while the male im- 
proves the inferior, and adds^ value to the whole ; 
this consideration will sustain high prices, and 
pure animals cannot be imported without pay- 
ing high for them. 

"I am further of opinion that pure breeders 
for sires that can he depended upon, should be 
iipheld in high prices, so as to enable them to 
keep their stock without a stain, as I think the 
most important part of breeding lies here. The 
progeny always degenerates if the sire has the 
lightest cross: it is not so with the dam; the 
stock will improve if the sire is well selected. 



"Mr. H. talks of showing spirit in selecting 
a breed of our own. I should like to hear his 
suggestions in commencing the breed, without 
having the best animals to resoi-t to; even their 
crossing with a bad breed will take a full cen- 
tury to make anything out of it, if founded on 
the best judgment. I will allow there are a 
limited supply of the best Durhams, l)ut not a 
tenth part there should be. 

"No person can go to England and fetch the 
best animals, unless he is favored in freight, for 
less than $500 each. 

"I see our friend, Mr. A. B. Allen, says that 
Ohio is the home of the lordly Shorthoi'us. I 
hail their prominent name, and as ours are 
principally of the feminine gender, will say 
York State is the home of the ladylike ITere- 
fords. As ladies are considered the first race 
of animals. I hope the Herefords will maintain 
it. I am, dear sirs, yours sincerely, 

"Wm. H. Sotham. 
"Perch Lake Farm, Jefferson Co., Xov. ^.5, 

18-tO." 

The "Cultivator," on jMge 16, Vol. S, gives a 
correspondence that was published in the 
"Farmer's Magazine" of December. 18-10, grow- 
ing out of a challenge given by John Price, a ' 
Hereford breeder of England, to show a bull 
and twenty breeding cows of the Hereford breed 
against a similar number of any other breed. 
This challenge called out Mr. Bates, the noted 
Sliorthorn breeder of England, and in the cor- 
respondence Mr. Bates says: "But I consider 
now, and have for about forty years been con- 
vinced, that the very best Shorthorns, of which 
tliere are only a few, are capable of improving 
all other Ijreeds of cattle in ibe Ignited King- 
dom as well as the ordinary Sliortborns, which 
are far from a good breed and inferior to Hcmv- 
fords, Devons and others." 

On page 19, same volume, Mr. Sanford How- 
ard steps in and gives his testimony as follows: 

"Messrs. Editors 'Cultivator' : I recollect no- 
ticing in your jiaper some time since a request 
that those who have any knowledge of the 
Hereford cattle would give their opinion of its 
relative merits compared with the improved 
Shorthorn and other varieties. In Mr. Benient'-^ 
communication, published in the August num- 
ber, he says he thinks there has been no imjior- 
tation of Herefords excepting by Mr. Clay, 
Messrs. Corning & Sotham, and himself. This 
is a mistake. In the year 1825, if my memory 
serves me right, the Massachusetts Society for 
Promoting Agriculture received as a present 
from Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, of Ihe Poyal 
Navy, a bull and a cow of the true Hereford 
breed, selected either liy himseli' or his agent in 



HIST ( ) R Y F H E K E F R D C A T T L E 



125 



Enj,'I;incl. Tlit'iv caiiiu al.'^o with tliein, as a 
pi'rsunt from the .same boiicficeiit gcntluman, au 
imj>rovx'd Shorthoru eovv (AiuiabeUa), a bull 
of that breed (Admiral) had before been sent. 

"The Hereford cattle were kept for one or 
two years in the section of the state where 1 
then resided, on the farm of John Prince, Esq., 
of Koxbury. 

'•The cow never had a calf after coming to 
this country, and, it being sui)iJosed that she 
would never breed, she was slaughtered, but I 
liave been informed that on killing her she was 
found to be witli calf. x\s to the quality of her 
beef, I cannot speak, but presume Mr. Prince 
can give information on this or any other point 
relating to these cattle. The cow was certainly 
considered one of the most extraordinary ani- 
mals for sjiape and size ever exhibited at the 
Brighton (ilass.) Cattle Shows. 

''1 believe the bull was not patronized to a 
very great extent while at Koxbury, it not being 
a stock-growing neighborliood, and he was sub- 
setiuently taken into the interior of the state, 
where, if 1 am not mistaken, he was sold. I saw 
many of this bull's progeny in the vicinity of 
where he was first kept, and have owned some 
of them. They were generally highly esteemed. 
1'liey made prodigiously powerful and active 
draught cattle — there was a majesty in their 
gait, and an elasticity and quickness of move- 



ment which 1 never saw equaled, and which, to- 
gether with their beautiful mahogany color, 
and strong constitution, made them decided fa- 
vorites with the Yankee teamsters. 

"For dairy qualities, the progeny of this bull 
was, as far as my observation extended, an im- 
provement on the stock with whicli he was 
crossed. I am aware that the Hereford has not 
the reputation of a milking race, and, though 
this may be generally correct, it is by no means 
certain that some grade of tliat blood may not 
be superior milkers. I will mention an instance 
in support of that idea. Several years ago some 
cattle of Bakewell's celebrated breed of Long- 
horns, called Dishleys, or improved Liecesters, 
were imjjorted to different parts of this country. 
They were famous for fattening, but not for 
dairy qualities, yet the half-bloods w'ere gener- 
ally good milkers, a'nd some of them were un- 
commonly superior in this respect. I know not 
how to account for this fact, unless on the 
ground of the constitution of the cross being 
so much strengthened that they were able to re- 
sist the inclemencies of the weather and to di- 
gest their food more perfectly and make the 
most of it. 

"I will here renuirk that I knew many and 
owned several of the progeny of the Improved 
Shorthorn bull, Admiral, before mentioned as 
having been jDresented to the Massachusetts So- 




^.M.^- 



HEBE 469, DONNY LASS 679, BRED BY LORD BATEMAN. AND GRACEFUL 545, BRED BY LORD BERWICK, 
(Imported by F, W. Stone gpd foundation of his Hphe. Bonny Lass atid Praceful {.(milie?,) 



126 



HISTORY OF HEEEFORD CATTLE 



ciety by Admiral Coffin, and 1 have no hesita- 
tion in saying that for the ordinary uses to 
which cattle are applied to the northern section 
of our country, 1 consider the stock of the 
Hereford bull above alluded to, decidedly pref- 
eral)le. 

"From 1830 to 1837 I resided in tlie State 
of Maine, and my business was the breeding of 
various kinds of stock. I had never seen any 
full bred improved Shorthorns which appeared 
to possess sufficient hardiness of constitution to 
adapt them to so rigorous a climate and the 




EMPEROR AT 2 YEARS (1867). 

(Bred bv F. W. Stone. Guelph, Canada. First prize 

N. Y. S. F., 1S67.) 

hard labor of the yoke to whicli o.ven are there 
subjected. Accordingly, on commencing opera- 
tions, I purchased of Hon. John Wells, of Bos- 
ton, a bull of a cross between the Hereford and 
the Improved Shorthorn, with a slight dash of 
the Bakewell. This bull was the easiest animal 
to fatten that I ever saw — and was of very per- 
fect symmetry, vigorous and active, and very 
heavy in proportion to the bone. His weight at 
six years old, after having been wintered on 
the coarsest fodder that the farm afforded, was 
2,000 pounds. 

"With this bull I bred some selected cows of 
various grades of different families, my object 
being to manufacture and establish a breed bet- 
ter adapted than any other, to the soil, climate 
and purpose of tlie section of country for which. 
th(\v were intended. 

"As my stock arrived at an age to have the 
qualities tested, they gradually got into favor: 
but as the passions of too many was for stock 
of enormous size, and mine had been bred 
wholly with regard to useful properties, I had 
to wait until the superiority could be proved 
before their merits were generally admitted. I, 
however, took several prizes on different descrij)- 
tions of cattle at cattle shows of the Kennebec 
Countv Agricultural Societv. On leaving 



Maine, I sold some of the best stock which I 
had bred, to Mr. J. W. Haines, of Hallowell. I 
am informed that it is now considered prefer- 
able to any stock ever known in that section. 
Mr. Haines carries several of the highest prizes 
at the Kennebec shows ; he took the first on 
milch cows, with one which was bred by myself 
— the first on bulls, and the first on heifers of 
the same stock. 

"The recent importations of Herefords bv 
Messrs. Corning & Sotham, of your city, must, 
by all accounts, be very valuable. A gentleman 
from Boston, and a good judge of stock, lately 
passed through here on his return from a tour 
of the West. He had seen the Herefords above 
spoken of, and also had seen the fine herd of 
Durhams belonging to Mr. Sullivant, near 
Columbus, Ohio, as well as much other fine 
stock. He pronoimeed the Herefords superior 
in fineness of bone and symmetry to anything 
he had ever met with. 

"Cannot some of your distant readers be 
gratified by a sight of some of these fine Here- 
fords in the 'Cultivator'? The portrait of Mr. 
Bemenfs bull, Dallimore, is certainly one of 
the best figures I have ever seen. His death 
must be a great public as well as individual 
loss. 

"The remarks of Mr. A. B. Allen in the Oc- 
tolier number of the 'Cultivator' on the working 
and fattening properties of the Herefords, I 
have no doubt are correct ; neither have I any 
doubt that wherev(>r strong constitutions are 
required, and oxen are wanted for the yoke, the 
Herefords will be preferred to the Improved 
Shorthorns, and perhaps to all other breeds. 

"!Mr. .\llcn expresses some surprise that the 
lately imported Herefords have wide loins, 
aiul says the Herefords he had before seen wen^ 
narrow at these points. I cannot think the 
Herefords are generally deficient in this par- 
ticular. Youatt, in his work on cattle, pub- 
lished under the direction of the British So- 
ciety for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, 
speaking of the preference given by the Duke 
of Bedford to the Herefords, after repeated 
trials with nearly all the other breeds in Eng- 
land, after mentioning some objections to the 
Herefords generally, says of the Duke's cattle : 
'Tliey retain all the length of quarter, and 
much of the wideness and roundness of hip and 
fullness of thigh, which have ever been es- 
teemed the peculiar excellencies of the Here- 
fords. A few of them might, in their fore-quar- 
ters, be mistaken for Devonshires, but with a 
broadness of chine and weight behind, which 
the Devons have rarely attained.' (Page 211.) 

"But in choosing the breed, the grand object 




THUS. DUCKHAM. W. I'., 1816-ia(C', BAYSHAM TOUKT. KOSS, HEKEFOKUSHIRE. 
To whose painstaking efforts the greatest credit for the maintenance aud acciuaty of the Hereford Herd Booli is due. 



128 



II J S T () 1! Y OF HE 1! E E 11 i) CATTLE 



would hv to obtaiu tlic breed best calculated for 
the particular situation for which it was de- 
signed. Each has its peculiar excellencies and 
defects, and the one which may be best for some 
locations and purposes, may be worst for others. 
The great error in public opinion of the pres- 
ent day in regard to all kinds of stock is the 
passion for great size. The only correct me- 
dium is, I think, that of your correspondent K. 
in the August number, 'that the only desirable 
size is where we find the greatest weight in the 
smallest relative compass.' 

"Sanford Howakd. 

"Zanesville, Ohio, Nov. 7, 1840." 

Wm. Hy. Sotham thus wrote the "Cultiva- 
tor" : 

"Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker : In looking over 
the back numbers of the 'London Farmers' 
Magazine,' I find in that of September, 1837, a 
portrait of Sir George, and as he is the sire and 
grandsire of a portion of our Herefords, I copy 
the accompanying account : 

" 'The subject of the plate is a Hereford bull, 
called "Sir George" [* (405) 9999 T. L. j\L], 
the property of John Hewer, Esq., of Hampton 
Lodge, near Hereford. In giving some descrip- 
tion of him to our readers we cannot do better 
than to quote Mr. Hewer's own account of him. 
"Sir George," now ten years old, was got by 
Waxy, Waxy by Wellington, his dam Beauty by 
Old Wellington, the sire of Wellington. They 
are of the old original blood, and I believe con-, 
fined to myself. Sir George has won five pre- 
miums.' 

"I send you this account to show you a por- 
trait of the original breed ; and it is my inten- 
tion to answer, as briefly as possible, the re- 
marks of Mr. Randall and Mr. Hepburn. The 
latter says : 'I have selected my weakest adver- 
sary, confident of an easy victory.' I know not 
why, when each derives his information from 
the same source, both making many quotations 
from theory, the language of one may be rather 
more classical than the other, each grounding 
their hope of success on the name of a standard 
work, that standard not written by a breeder. 
Mr. R. launches out with similes from other 
writers, and then says : 'But, after all, I am not 
convinced that the Herefords have been con- 
verted into Durhams,' and I see from the ex- 
tract of the Hon. Henry Clay's letter, that his 
cattle must have been selected from such breed- 
ers as Mr. Youatt describes, not from the best ; 



therefore I perceive nothing formidalile in any 
remark from either that would cause me fearful 
thoughts of an overthrow. If I cannot gain the 
victory justly, I shall not feel entitled to the 
reward. 

"Now, gentlemen, I am' cjuite willing to take 
you individually or collectively ; you may quote 
theory back to the fall of Adam if you choose, 
and breed cattle from that instruction, and if 
you do not possess a fallen race I shall be mis- 
taken in judgment. 

"If we are to enter into a detailed contro- 
versy, we must suggest some means of bringing 
it before the public for inspection and decision. 
The 'Cultivator' (according to your account) is 
pressed with too much important matter to ad- 
mit of long articles; this can be agreed upon, 
and winter evenings are best for farmers' 
study. 

"I do not see anything more to be noticed in 
Mr. K.'s article, further than this: He presses 
me to challenge the Shorthorn breeders for 
milking. I am not disposed to give challenges, 
but as he has called it forth, I will show a milk- 
ing cow in May next against him or Mr. Hep- 
burn for a silver cup, value $15; mine shall be 
a pure Hereford, my opponent's a pure Short- 
horn. I shall not extend it unless it is urged 
upon me. Mr. H. says : 'According to my own 
showing, many a good ox has been bred from 
an inferior animal.' I should like to know when 
this assertion was made to me. Have I ac- 
knowledged this Hereford cow to be inferior, 




* Note. Where, in this volume, in early communications 
the herd book nunibeis are given for Herefords, they 
have been inserted by the author for proper identification, 
the herd boolts net being in existence at the time. As 
(ar as pcssible the American as well as the English (in 
parepthepjs) nufPherii are giyen, T. L. M, 



WALFORD (S71) 47, CALVED ABOUT 1844. 

(Bred by T. Longmore. Waltord won many prizes and his 

blood has a powerful influence in the improvement 

of the breed.) 

because Youatt has? Never. This must be a 
wild thought ; probably I have seen as many of 
the liest oxen in this country as Mr. H., or any 
TTtTicr person. In the fall of 1838 I purchased 
myself, for barreling, nearly five thousand head 
of cattle, in the western country in the cmirse 
of two months, and was engaged in that lni«i-- 
ness four years previcius, when froni four to si.\ 




FREDERIC K WIl.I.lA.M .SXdM;, (,l ELPH, ONT., CANADA. 
Canada's greatest importer of pure-bred live stock. 



130 



HISTOEY OF HEREFOKD CATTLE 



thousand were slaughtered annually, selecting 
the best for the New York market, and the 
whole time I did not see an ox that was border- 
ing on goodness (for what I call a show beast) ; 
good breeding must be looked to for such an 
animal, and requires as much skill as it does to 
breed a bull or cow. I should have been much 
surprised at this remark from a breeder, had I 
not known he was led astray by the study of 
theory alone. Mr. H. may have seen larger 
oxen, but I doubt whether he ever saw the first 
quality. I shall leave the breeders of our cattle 
to answer the unwarrantable attack he has 
made on them. I shall only tell him that were 
they disposed to steal 'crosses," represent them 
pure when not so, they could not show them for 




ERASTUS CORNING, \LBANY. N. Y. 

a premium; a true certificate of their pedigree 
is demanded. If they are entered as pure Here- 
fords, they must prove so. or the beast is dis- 
qualified, the owner erased from the list and 
never allowed to show an animal again. Match- 
less [Ml'. Sotham's cow, entered in the Herd 
Books as Spot 1070. T. L. M.] was entered as 
a pure Hereford, won the first prize, and I defy 
any man to prove there is a drop of Durham 
blood in her veins, or any other of our animals 
that I say are Herefords. I hope this is plain 
enough for ^Ir. Hepburn. We have a half- 
bred Durham heifer, as I have before stated, 
and a man that can distinguish a mule from a 



Spanish ass, can see this cross, though I think 
her a superior animal. I refer these gentlemen 
to a late number of the 'Farmers' Magazine,' to 
peruse the letters of Mr. Price and Mr. Bates; 
there they may profit from practical knowledge, 
and see what the Herefords were forty years 
ago in their estimation. 

"I was honored by a letter from the Earl of 
Warwick a few days since, which I send you, 
and trust his lordship will not feel displeased 
at his name appearing in your valuable paper. 
Much information may be gleaned from it. 

"I think I may say, with confidence, we have 
just received from R. Lovel, Esq., Edgecott 
Lodge, one of the finest Shorthorn heifers, com- 
ing three years old, that ever crossed the water. 
I will send you her likeness and pedigree at 
some future period; she is a pure herd book 
animal. 

"I could say much on Mr. R. and Mr. H.'s 
articles, but will leave it to consult your space, 
or some other means, to do it. Their ideas of 
arriving into notice as breeders, in six or eight 
years, are quite ridiculous unless at an enor- 
mous exjiense to start with. 

"Yours sincerely, 

"Wm. Hy. Sotham. 
"Perch Lake Farm, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Feb., 

1841." 

The following is the letter from the Earl of 
Warwick, mentioned by Mr. Sotham : 

"7 Carlton Gardens, Dee. 28, 1840. 

"Sir: I received your letter of the 13th of 
November, and accompanied by a 'Cultivator' 
paper; your wishing an answer induces me to 
send one, but not breeding myself any Here- 
fordshire cattle, I fear I have little satisfactory 
to comnumicate ; or any breeding stock on my 
farm to show you should you visit this country. 
I consider they can breed better stock in the 
counties where the whole attention of the farm 
is devoted to that object. I therefore buy in 
my stock, poor, between two and three years 
old ; fat them, and feed them off for the butcher 
as I can get them ready on grass for summer 
keep; Swede turnips (on which I mostly de- 
pend) and hay for the winter keep, with some 
finish only, of oil-cake when necessary. To do 
which it would he immaterial to me what breed 
I bought, or where, depending on what would 
grow fat fastest as good butcher's beasts, the 
butcher being my customer, and I have no 
doubt the Herefords are the best breed for such 
objects, and notwithstanding well-bred ones are 
l)ought very dear (a proof of their estimation), 
I think they pay for their keep, turning into 
money fastest for the food they eat, and less 
liable to casualties from the thriving disposition 



132 



HISTORY OF HEBEFORD CATTLE 



of their constitutions to do well, and lay on 
flesh while growing. I send into Herefordshire 
and huy in lean, young stock of the best breed- 
ers, not trusting to fairs; I know how all are 
bred. 

"The ox I won the first prize with at the 
Smithfield Show last year (If 65) (and the best 
Least of the class shown, ninety competitors) I 
so bought as a three-year-old (with many more) 
for £17 ($85), lean. He ran with the other 
steers, and was put up with them to fat, and I 
never thought of sending him to the Smithfield 
till two months before the show, as I never sent 
a beast there before. After the show I sold him 
to a London butcher to kill for £70 ($350). 
There is a wretched print of him in the London 
shops. The painter who did his picture for me 
is Mr. Davis, animal painter to the Queen, and 
lives at Chelsea. He has made a very good col- 
ored engraving, and one of which I shall be 
very happy to procure for yoii, if you will have 
the goodness to write to me when you arrive 
next summer in England. 

"We breed some pretty good Leicester sheep 
in Warwickshire.* My bailiff will be happy to 
show you anything I may have, if you are likely 
to be that way. I only breed sheep — we con- 
sider nothing like the Leicester for long wool. 



and Southdowns for short. A Leicester tup has 
been known to let for the season for £1,000. 
My House in London is 7 Carlton Gardens. 
''Your obedient servant, 

"Warwick. 

"W. H. Sotham, Esq." 

"Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker : Since writing 
you, I learn from Mr. Thornton (the person 
who has charge of our stock) that the heifer 
Spot, by 'Sir George,' coming three years old, 
calved on the 18th of January, is now giving 
from five to six quarts of milk daily over what 
her calf sucks; he is a fine bull, thriving very, 
fast, is her first calf and lies loose in the stable 
with her; her feed has been cut straw and hay 
of about equal quantities, mixed with about a 
peek of bran. Gay is the dam of Spot, whose 
pedigree may be seen in tlie July number of the 
'Cultivator.' 

"Yours sincerely, 

"Wm. Hy. Sotham. 

"Albany, Feb. 20, 1841." 

We submit that Mr. Sotham conducted this 
controversy in an able and gentlemanly man- 
ner. We next find Mr. H. S. Randall coming 
to the attack in an article entitled "The Short- 
horns and Herefords." 

"Messrs. Editors: It is with deep concern 










I 7 '/eflV'3- 



TOMB OF THE PARENTS OF WM. H. SOTHAM, IN WOOTON CHURCHYARD, OXFORDSHIRE. 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



133 



tlint I perceive by a eommunieatinn in your 
.Mareli iiuinber that ilr. Sothani has lost some 
oi' that comity of feeling with which he pro- 
fessed to enter into the discussion of the rela- 
tive merits of the Shorthorns and the Here- 
fords, more esjjccially that he has, without 
pausing to consider the pain and injury it 
would inllict, spoken in terms falling little 
short of utter disrespect of the breeding skill, 
and even the knowledge of what constitutes the 
valuable points of cattle, possessed by Mr. You- 
ATT, Hon. Henry Clay, Mr. Hepburn, and late- 
ly, my humble self. No man, I will venture to 
say, intimately acquainted with Jlr. Sotham, 
values him more highly than I do, and I have 
ever believed that he was by no means properly 
appreciated by a large portion of our breeders. 
"I well recollect with what profound pleas- 
ure I hailed Jlr. Sotham's communication from 
England (published in your October number), 
that he was on his way to this country, 'with the 
best lot of stock ever seen together,' and his 
modest challenge to the owners of the best cat- 
tle in America, to meet him at the cattle show 
at Niblo's in October. It is an affair of more 
magnitude than every one may suppose for one 
man to buy up 'the best lot of stock ever seen,' 
even in the small Island of England, and I 



could not lielj) fancying the deep mortification, 
the unavailing regrets of such men as Earl 
Spencer, Mr. Bates, and other English breed- 
ers, when they ascertained the fact and found 
that the broad Atlantic rolled between the 
aforesaid 'lot' and England. What deep and 
lasting gratitude then should every American . 
have felt towards so great a public benefactor. 
But alas ! all know that the 'ingratitude of re- 
publics' has passed into an adage. The fair 
day arrived at Niblo's, and with it arrived Mr. 
Sotham, with the Hereford cow (with the 
aliases) that 'won the first prize at Oxford, 
1839, against all England;' the cart mare and 
cart colt, 'allowed by the best judges to be as 
good as England could produce;' the twenty- 
four rams that 'could not be beaten even in 
England;' and lastly, 'the pigs of various de- 
scriptions, the best that could be procured in 
England.' Mark the astounding sequel. The 
cow that 'beat England' was beaten by an Amer- 
ican-bred Durham, though rumor says that Mr. 
Sotham actually condescended to wait person- 
ally on the committee, after they had retired to 
their room for consultation, for the generous 
purpose of imparting his superior knowledge of 
what constituted the true excellencies of cattle, 
and to inform them in what low estimation the 




WOOTON CHURCH, OXFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND. (The cross marks location of the Sotham tomb,) 



lU 



H I S T E Y OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



cow tliat subsequently proved to be the winner 
would be held in England. Whether any of the 
four-and-twenty rams — like the fiddlers of old, 
'all in a row," received premiums, I am unable 
to say, though I learn that some of Mr. Goth- 
am's sheep were beaten by Mr. Cliffs. And to 
show at what an utterly low ebb the taste of 
our country is in such respects, I will state that 
I am credibly informed that those splendid 
steeds, as well as those pigs, whose loss it is 
feared England will never be able to repair, 
were actually laughed at by two-thirds of the 
ignorant, impudent Yankees present. 

"But enough of this. It only proves that men 
in advance of their age are rarely appreciated 
by it. Galileo found it so; Copernicus found 




A TABLET IN WOOTON CHURCH. 

it SO ; Capt. Symes found it so, and Mr. Henry 
Sotham, if he finds it so, should neither be 
grieved nor disappointed. It is your empty, 
swaggering, conceited fellow, who always pro- 
claim their own 'best,' who are most successful 
in these degenerate days; for the modest and 
unassuming there is but little chance. The 
simple fact that the Committee of the Ameri- 
can Institute decided against Mr. Sotham's 
Herefords, proves nothing. That they were 'the 
best of the lot' at Niblo's, or that 'were ever ^ 
seen,' we have the most indisputable authority 
— the same which the Marshal Montmorenci 



had, that the Dauphin was a brave man, the 
Dauphin told him so himself. Will any man 
deny that this was 

"'Confirmation strong 
As proof of holy writ.' 

"But I must say I think it was hardly mag- 
nanimous of Mr. Sotham, after seducing 
Messrs. Cla_y, Hepburn, myself and others into 
this controversy by honeyed assurances of deal- 
ing gently and lenient with us, to suddenly, 
without a word of warning, convert a merely 
friendly passage of arms into deadly strife. It 
might have evinced considerable nerve on the 
part of Fitz James to say to a party of wild 
Gael, 'Come one, come all.' But Mr. Sotham, 
when he says he is willing to stand a brush with 
Messrs. Youatt, Clay, Hepburn, etc., 'individ- 
ually or collectively," well knows that he utters 
a safe challenge. True, Mr. Youatt is conced- 
rdly the first writer in England on cattle, Mr. 
Clay is a clever man in the Senate, and one of 
the first breeders of the various kinds of im- 
proved cattle in the Western States. Mr. Hep- 
l)urn certainly writes like an intelligent man — 
but which of these men ever 'purchased five 
thousand cattle in two months,' or belonged to 
a concern 'which .slaughtered from four to six 
tliousand annually for four years ?' If there be 
truth in the sage old apothegm that, 'He who 
kills fat cattle must himself be fat,' does it not 
follow by a parity of reasoning that he who 
buys and slaughters cattle must be an adept in 
the science of breeding them ? Cannot your 
butcher, who wields the knife and cleaver, man- 
ufacture these implements better than your 
mere blacksmith who, perhaps, never cut up a 
beef in his life? We doubt whether this last 
jirocess was ever performed by Mr. Youatt, un- 
li ss in the way of dissection; and as for the 
Kentucky Senator, confess, 

'An' thou lovest me, Hal,' 

that there's many a man within half a dozen 
miles of Ashland, who has bought more, killed 
more, barreled more and ate more beef than 
thyself, and argal, knows better how to breed it. 
The fierce old Hepburns, of East Lothian, were 
drovers and butchers both in a border foray, 
but we doubt whether their peaceable Pennsyl- 
vania descendant has ever drove or slaughtered 
5,000 cattle in his life. If not, what should he 
presume to know about breeding fine cattle? 

"By the way, we should like to know what 
was the 'head and front' of this unfortunate 
man's 'offending' that he should be selected as 
the especial victiiu of Sotham's ire — used up — 
as little of him left as the famous Kilkenny 



H I S T K Y OF H E K E F K D CATTLE 



135 



cats. Was it for suggesting that llie ruceutly 
imported Herefords were indebted to a Short- 
horn cross for their improved points? Mr. Hep- 
burn undoul)tedly considered tliis the greatest 
complinu'iit he could pay them. Mr. Sotham, 
in the October number of the 'Cultivator,' page 
161, in enumerating 'the best lot of stock ever 
seen together," says, 'one-half blood between the 
Hereford and Durham, to show the cross, which 
I think an excellent one, probably better than 
the pure breed of either, and from what I saw 
of Mr. Cother's, of Middle Aston, it may be 
extended much further than is generally sup- 
posed, for his fourth cross was equal to the first 
— not the least sign of degeneration.' Can 
words be more e.xplicit? And what did Mr. 
Hepburn do but 'follow in the footsteps of his 
illustrious predecessor?" Why, Mr. Sotham is 
as difficult to please (the best have their foi- 
bles) as the drunkard, who, reeling home at 
midnight, declared 'if he found his wife up, he 
would whip her for not going to bed when she 
ought to have done ; if he found her abed, he 
would whip her for not sitting up and waiting 
for him.' Disagree with Mr. Sotham and you 
incur the fate of Clay and Youatt ; agree with 
him and the shade of the mangled Pennsyl- 
vanian arises warningly before you. Mr. Hep- 



Ijurn only surmised (in conmion with many 
others) that Mr. Sotham has been a more for- 
tunate man than he himself supposed — that in- 
stead of mere Herefords he had actually ob- 
tained that cross between the Herefords and the 
Durhams, which we have Mr. Sotham's own 
authority for supposing 'better than the pure 
breed of either." Why should Mr. Sotham ob- 
ject to having it believed that his cattle have 
received that last finishing touch, which, by his 
own showing, will make perfection more per- 
fect. Is it modesty- — the fear of claiming for 
his own more than they deserve ? Yet, he may 
be mistaken against himself. He says of the 
cow that was beaten at Niblo's, 'I defy any man 
to prove that there is a drop of Durham blood 
in her veins." I presume there is not, but, sup- 
posing there was, and a good many of them, 
who could testify to it, except the breeder? I 
assert that my pig is pure land-pike, and now 
grant, for the sake of argument, there are sev- 
eral drops of the 'alligator' in him. how is Mr. 
Hewer or Mr. Sotham to ascertain the fact if I 
see fit to conceal it? 

"Finally, Mr. Sotham challenges Mr. Hep- 
biirn or myself to exhibit a pure Shorthorn 
against one of his pure Herefords, as a milking 
cow in May next, for a silver cup, value $15. 




SIR CHARLES 13434) 543. 
(Bred by F. W. Stone, purchased by T. L. Miller, 1871'. for $1.U(KI gold. From drawing by E. H. Dewey.) 



136 



HISTOEY OF HEREFOED CATTLE 



Now did Mr. Sotham ever hear of a shrewd 
Yankee by the name of Ezekiel Peabody, who, 
having tried in vain to dispose of a horse for 
$40, rode him one bright morning briskly into 
the town of C. (where several sportsmen re- 
sided), and offered to wager $15 that the afore- 
said horse could out-run anything in C. for a 
mile ; and how that he finally consented to sell 
'Connecticut Eclipse' to young 'Squire W. for 
$150, before the race came off? But would not 
Ezekiel have betrayed a great want of discre- 
tion had he suffered his motive for making the 
bet to leak out in the presence of a third per- 
son who was under no obligation to keep it from 
the other parties? I will merely add that this 
'silver cup' challenge came to my ears long be- 
fore it was openly made to mo. Verhum sap. 



actual measurement of milk — or, rather, the 
pounds of butter made during one week of each 
month from the time of calving to the time of 
exhibition — the matter to be decided at the an- 
nual fair of the State Agricultural Society — 1 
hereby distinctly inform him he shall be met. 
Satisfactory proof to be had, of course, of the 
milk and butter produced by each cow, and the 
bet to be forfeited in case either party should 
'sell out.' If Mr. Sotham accepts this challenge 
he will signify it in your next number, to enable 
the proper steps to be taken. 

"Henry S. Randall. 
"Cortland Village. March, 1841." 
We find in this controversy Hepburn charg- 
ing fraud in the breeding, and when obliged to 
admit the merit of Mr. Sotham's cattle, then 




JOHN R. PAGE'S CONCEPTION OF SIR CHARLES (3434J 543 



"In reply to that challenge I may be per- 
mitted to say that I never have paraded my own 
stock before the public. I have discussed the 
merits of the Shorthorns and Herefords as fam- 
ilies without converting my communication into 
advertisements setting forth the merits of my 
own animals, as the vendors of patent medicines 
recount the wonderful virtues of their nos- 
trums. My herd, always small, has been ren- 
dered still more so by recent sales, and circum- 
stances have induced me to turn much of my 
attention to crosses between the Shorthorn and 
other varieties. But if Mr. Sotham is really in 
earnest— if he wishes to risk $50 or $100 on the 
milking properties of a pure Shorthorn and a 
pure Hereford, by the proper tests (say the 



claiming the credit due to Shorthorn crosses. 
Mr. Randall there leaves the argument and the 
merits of the breeds and proceeds to personal 
abuse. These two men are representative Short- 
horn men from the time that Berry entered 
upon the Hereford-Shorthorn controversy, from 
1820 to 1830 down to the present time. 

The Randalls, Hepburns, Aliens, Pages, Ste- 
vens, Nichols, Matthews, Andersons, Judys, 
Sanders, Rusts, and the entire list are of one 
class, and made use of the same measures, and 
substantially the same language. They came 
before the stockmen of the world in 183-1 with 
the livery of that august society termed the "So- 
ciety for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge,'' 
officered by the nobilitv of England, and used as 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



137 



their scribe a learned and scholarly student, and 
asked the world to witness the impartial his- 
tory written by this scholar and endorsed by the 
nobility of England. 

And then follow such men as Randall, Ste- 
vens, Page, Allen, Nichols, Anderson and Mat- 
thews, asking the stockmen to believe that his- 
tory, and accejjt their claims on that title. If 
a political party had come into power on such 
fraudulent claims they would be buried beyond 
a resurrection when their crime was brought to 
light. If a lawyer, in the interest of the client, 
should have committed such a fraud in his prac- 
tice as Berry did in the interest of himself and 
his associate Shorthorn breeders, he would have 
been prohibited from practice. 

What Berry did under the cloak of the "So- 
ciety for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge," 
Randall, Allen and Stevens and their associates 
did in organizing the State Board of Agricul- 
ture of Xew York, and they used it as Berry 
used the English Society, and with this ma- 
chinery broke the Hereford interest. 

Let us look at this. Mr. Sothara, in 1840, 
brought to Albany a herd of Hereford cattle. 
Jlr. Erastus t'orning, a wealthy citizen of that 
city, bought an interest in them, and would 
have probably furnished capital to any extent 
needed but Henry S. Randall used the fraud 
of Berry, and copying after Berry organized 
the Xew York State Fair, and used it to defeat 
the Herefords, and the result was that Mr. 
Sotham and his enterprise was financially 
mined, and on these ruins Mr. Randall and his 
associates were enabled to perpetuate the fraud 
that Berry inaugurated, and the State Agricul- 
tural Societies have been brought under this 
Shorthorn influence and each and all have been 
made tributary and obedient to the Shorthorn 
behest, and every man that has dared to ques- 
tion their right has been broken. Thus, the 
Shorthorn breeders again, in my time, have en- 
deavored to do with this movement. This was 
witnessed by one of the most fraudulent con- 
s]iiracies ever conducted, that was ]rashed dur- 
ing the year 1881 with all the venom and malice 
that could be devised. But it was met and 
hurled back upon the originators. 

Let us .see how Mr. Sotham met this abuse. 
We find his answer in the "Cultivator," on page 
83: 

"Jfessrs. Gaylord & Tucker: I have read 
with much amusement the highly facetious let- 
ter of Mr. Henry S. Randall, in your last 'Cul- 
tivator,' and laughed at its contents almost as 
much as he says 'the impudent Yankees' did at 
my steeds and pigs. My mirth, however, was 
minjifled with a feeling of regret that I had in- 



curred his wrath, and that his good sense (of 
which I had previously a high opinion) had 
allowed him to stoop to ridicule and ribaldry 
as a 'dernier resort,' certain signs of a weak 
argument. 

"I know nothing of his friend, 'Mr. Ezekiel 
Peabody,' and therefore give Mr. Randall all 
the credit he can gain by his acquaintance; and 




THE BATES SHORTHORN IDEAL, IMPORTED DUKK 

OP AIRDRIE (12730) 

(From a drawing by J. R, Page.) 

I leave all such passages, dictated as they are, 
by anything but good breeding and gentlemanly 
discretion, to pass for what they are worth, 
which I think will be very little, less even than 
the shadow of one of the Kilkenny cats, so wit- 
tily served up in the '011a Podrida' with which 
we are regaled. Such insinuations are unwor- 
thy of Mr. R., and are beneath my notice. I 
will merely answer those parts of his letter 
which appear businesslike. 

"In the first place, I am aware I spoke highly 
and confidently regarding my jjurchases; but it 
was not bravado. I knew the prejudices I had 
to contend against, the true worth of my ani- 
mals, and was willing to back my own opinion. 
I see by your last paper that I have raised up 
opponents who will throw out every obstacle 
against me, but 'Truth is mighty and will pre- 
vail,' and they shall not drive me from my pur- 
pose. I did not intend to say anything regard- 
ing the jiidges at Niblo's fair, but only wished 
for an opportunity to test their judgment. Mr. 
R.'s article has given it to me. I will show 
'Matchless' against any cow in the United 
States, of any breed, as the most valuable ani- 
mal, for a cup of the same value as was there 
given, adding the expenses of the judges, who 
shall be selected in the following manner: I 
will name mine, my opponent his, these two se- 
lecting a third ; and to prove that I am not 
actuated by any exclusive feeling I will show a 



138 



H 1 S T E Y OF H E K E F R D CATTLE 



three-year-old Durham heifer lately imported 
against the one produced by my opponent, 
whether winner or loser, on the same terms. I 
will also show a Berkshire boar and sow now in 
the possession of Mr. John Thomas, of Albany, 
nine months old, which were a part of the iden- 
tical stock so cruelly 'laughed at," against any- 
thing in this state of the same breed, excepting 
Mr. Allen's herd, of Buffalo (as I think him the 
best judge to decide), for a jJrize similar to the 
one given by the Institute. I will go still fur- 
ther; Mr. Clift has the two ewes shown at the 
fair now in his possession, and I presume both 
have lived together and fared alike since then ; 
if so, they shall be exhibited at Mr. C."s farm ; 
I will accompany Mr. R. there, who shall be 
the judge, without knowing to whom either 
originally belonged, and I will venture a similar 
cup to the one Mr. C. gained on his decision. 

"As regards the milking dispute I shall not 
go beyond the proposition I have made, but am 
ready to fulfill that 'in earnest.' My cow shall 
be pure Hereford, but I could not agree to for- 
feit if not in my possession. She shall be one 
of the 'twenty-four' I imported last summer. 
It is not my wish to make any sort of gambling 
contest of this business, but to give an excellent 
breed of cattle a chance of being appreciated as 
thev ought to be, and to silence their traduccrs. 




A TYPICAL HEREFORD OF ISjn, COTMORE, WEIGHT 

3,920 LBS., AT 9 YEARS OLD. 

(From an old painting.) 

and I refer the public to Mr. R.'s various epis- 
tles to say whether or not they have made it 
incumbent on me so to do. or whether I had 
any alternative but to reply, or to submit in 
silence to his injurious misrepresentations. 
Should my offers be taken and the triumph be 
mine, 1 shall value the prizes as mementoes 
worth preserving; should I fail, a second trial 
may be more successful, as I am resolved on 
perseverance. 



"Mr. Randall says I have 'seduced" himself 
and others into this controversy. Let him refer 
back to the 'Cultivator' if his memory fails. 
He will soon see who commenced it, and I will 
leave it to your readers to say which of us has 
most violated that amenity of feeling which 
ought always to accompany us, however eager 
we may be to impress our own opinions on the 
minds of others, or controvert those of our op- 
ponents. I ask Mr. R. what accusation can be 
more opprobrious than that of 'stealing?' And 
has not Mr. Hepburn endeavored to fix this 
charge on the breeders of our cattle? I also 
again ask him to crosshis pure Berkshire with 
the 'land-pike' he speaks of, exhibit the produce 
to proper judges, with his certificate of pedi- 
gree and purity, and if he is not detected by 
them, the said produce and his own conscience, 
he may then venture on the 'alligator,' and I 
will believe that 'stolen' crosses may be con- 
cealed. I say now what I have said before, 
that a cross with a Hereford and Durham is an 
excellent one, probably better than the pure 
breed of either, but cannot be brought under 
the observation of a judge without immediate 
detection. 

"I must now call your attention to Mr. You- 
att's text book, to which Mr. Randall and Mr. 
Hepburn seem to have pinned their faith with 
an obstinacy which regards anything that may 
differ in the smallest degree with its dogmas, 
as an innovation and a heresy not to be toler- 
ated. Mr. Youatt is unquestionably a man of 
great talent and judgment ; he, however, is but 
a man and is liable to errors like others ; while, 
therefore, his opinions have all the weight 
which they so justly deserve, with practical men 
in his own country, these men do not, like 
Messrs. Randall and Hepburn, make an agri- 
cultural Pope of him, or consider his book (ex- 
I'cllent though it be) as the agricultural gos- 
pel. Science and improvement are too much on 
the advance to rest long on any particular 
point. But to return to the text book: On the 
1 1th page he says, speaking of Devons : 'They 
have long been celebrated for a breed of cattle 
beautiful in the highest degree ; and in activity 
at work and aptness to fatten unrivaled.' 
In speaking of the Herefords, page 32, he says : 
'They are even more kindly feeders than the 
Devons, and will live and grow fat where a 
Devon will scarcely live.' And, further, in the 
same page: 'The Devons will acquire bulk and 
hardihood, and the Herefords a finer form and 
activity.' These are his exact words. Gentle- 
men, reflect on these conflicting statements, and 
reconcile these contradictions if you can. When 
Mr. R.'s classical knowledge, backed by Mr. H.'s 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



139 



'intelligence,' have shed their light on them 
and converted such language into reason and 
proof, 1 shall then believe there is real and 
sound advantage in studying the classics ; but 
till then 1 shall be content to make my quota- 
tions in humble dog Latin; to '(jdlJns mcuargo 
et luniqiiam animus' notwithstanding ilr. R.'s 
terrific range of literary acquirements from 
the 'Kilkenny cats" and his 'friend Peabody,' to 
'Galileo" and 'Copernicus," his high sportive and 
illuminating prose, his poetic taste, and 
'slaughtering' satire. But enough of this. I 
will turn to another attack. 

"When I sent you the 'EarFs letter' for pub- 
lication I did not expect my motives to be im- 
pugned, or my character calumniated by an 
illiberal suspicion ; my object was to show that 
the men of the highest rank in England know 
the value of good stock equally well as the prac- 
tical breeder; and the advantages to be derived 
from a careful selection. The latter was a 
'genuine," off-hand, businesslike communication, 
in which forms and phrases were evidently less 
thought of than the sound information con- 
veyed in it ; and I very much regret that it did 
not please the fastidious taste of your several 
corresj)ondents. Doubtless some of them 
thought that an 'Earl" should convey his in- 
formation on the science of breeding cattle in 
a most labored and elegant pastoral compo- 
sition. For the criticisms on myself, I care 
not; I write with a view only of promoting 
the farmer's welfare and the cause of truth. 
I am not so easily pulled down, therefore, 
by any error in etymology and syntax. I 
have taken my stand and propose to main- 
tain it. Now, Mr. Editors, I will be very 
much obliged if you would tell me the names of 
your private correspondents, or publish their 
communications, so that I may distinguish my 
friends from my enemies. 

"1 send you a letter from Mr. Turner, Court 
of Noke, Herefordshire, a gentleman well 
known in the agricultural world, so that you 
may again state that you have seen the 'origi- 
nal" from which my extracts below are taken. 

" 'It is a well-known fact that there is no 
other breed that can compete with the Here- 
fords as regards a profitable stock. For instance, 
the memorable old Mr. Westcar, the Bucking- 
hamshire grazier, at the dinner of the Christ- 
mas Cattle Show, some years ago, when the first 
prize in the first class was awarded to a Durham 
ox, the owner in the heat of the moment rose 
and offered to bet a wager that he won the same 
prize on the following year with an ox of the 
same breed. Mr. W. silenced him with this 
public challenge. He would go to the next Oc- 




THOMAS BOOTH, 
The Great English Shorthorn 



tober fair at Hereford and purchase one hun- 
dred oxen of the Hereford breed, which he 
would feed and show against the same number 
of all the breeds in England, for one hundred 
guineas per head, or two thousand guineas, 
which offer no one dare accept.' This was done 
to show the rich men who then possessed the 
Durhams, that he was ready to support the 
Herefords with his purse. 'He then told the 
company that during his experience as a grazier 
he had fed and sold twenty Herefordshire oxen 
to the butcher at 
an average of one 
hundred guineas 
each, an d h e 
would defy all the 
breeders of Short- 
horns together to 
say they had done 
the like. As re- 
g a r d s my own 
breed of Here- 
fords, I can boast 
of having bred the 
last ox sold to the 
slaughterer for 
one hundred 
pounds, which was 
in 1827, since that 
several steers un- 
der four years old, from sixty to seventy pounds. 
I have much pleasure in saying my herd has 
not degenerated, as will appear by the show at 
Hereford last week. All the prize cattle were 
either bred by, or descended from, bulls of my 
own breed. Mr. Perry purchased the "Gold- 
finder"' of me when a yearling.' 

" 'As regards the Hereford breed for dairy 
purposes I can speak from experience that when 
W(>I1 kept few will answer better. I can give an 
instance of a prime cow of my father's produc- 
ing thirteen pounds of butter per week when al- 
lowed hay and cabbages the whole of the winter ; 
but the principle of the Herefords being the 
stock, little attention is paid to the dairy. We 
all know to keep up cows to their milk requires 
the most nutritious food, which is seldom al- 
lowed to cows in this country. We have expe- 
rienced a very severe winter, and the epidemic 
so prevalent, I fear good stock will not be very 
plentiful this spring. The present prices are 
very satisfactory to the breeder. The fair at 
Hereford was very pleasing to do business at, 
a com])lete clearance of all good stock, particu- 
larly bulls, of which there was a most splendid 
exhibition.' 

"I now conclude with one remark for the 
satisfaction of Mr. R., that 'Matchless' was 



140 



HISTORY OF HEREFOllD CATTLE 



bred by Mr. Turner, purchased by Mr. Hewer 
for Mr. James Walker, and the only reason I 
altered her name was I had one named 'Spot" 
in my first importation. 

"I will give my views on sheep breeding at 
some future' period. I think nothing is a better 
test for profitable animals than those that get 
the greatest weight of animal food with the 
least vegetables. 

"Wm. Hy. Sotham. 

"Perch Lake Farm, April, 1841." 

We now give a letter from Mr. Wm. King- 
ham, which may be found in the "Cultivator," 
on page 1 1 G : 

"Messrs. Editors of the 'Cultivator' : I have 
been induced to take up my pen by the perusal 
of a controversy between Messrs. Randall, Hep- 
burn and Sotham. I have been acquainted with 
the Hereford cattle for the last thirty years, as 
a grazier, a dairyman and bvitcher. My father 
used to graze about fifty and dairy about seventy 
cows, of different breeds, Longhorns, Short- 
horns and Herefords, in Oxfordshire, England. 
For feeding, the Herefords are not surpassed by 
any breed I have ever seen ; for the dairy, I do 
not say they are invariably good milkers, 
though they are, many of them, very good. I 
never kept an account of the produce of a single 
cow, but one of my neighbors says he knew a 
Hereford cow that made sixteen pounds of but- 
ter per week. As a butcher, which business I 
worked at in London, and afterwards followed 
in Berkshire for eight years, I say the Here- 




MARCHIONESS. BRED BY E. CORNING. JR., ALBANY, 

N. Y. 
(First prize, N. Y. S. F., 1867. From a drawing by Page.) 

fords cut the best stall of beef I ever put a knife 
in. Mr. Hepburn takes Youatt for his author, 
and by his description is led to believe the 
Herefords to have been a trifling breed as lately 
as six years a^o. I know them to have been as 



good thirty years since as now, and whenever 
they have been shown against the Shorthorns 
have oftener gained the prize than their antago- 
nists. Mr. Youatt must have been prejudiced 
in favor of the Shorthorns, was ignorant of the 
C(ualities of the Herefords, or got his infornuT- 
tion from some one no better informed than 
himself. Mr. Hepburn very ingeniously en- 
deavors to impose on his understanding by sup- 
posing the Herefords of Mr. Sotham to be the 
produce of a stolen cross with the Durhams. I 
have no doubt but Mr. H."s experience, if he 
lives long, will convince him that his supposi- 
tion was erroneous, and that he was misleading 
the judgment of the community and dojng in- 
justice to the breeder and importer by suppos- 
ing them guilty of imposition. I should say, 
as a breeder, the Herefords need no such cross ; 
but I should say as a breeder, that many of the 
Durhams, some of even Herd Book pedigrees, 
would be materially improved by a cross with 
the Herefords, as having a tendency to lengthen 
the rump and widen the hip of those whose 
edge or round bones are wider than their hips, 
the rump short and low, the tail high, and their 
skin as tight over their rump as if stretched 
over it with a pair of pincers. Such animals 
have a thick, heavy thigh, the thick, coarse but- 
tock, supported by a large bone, coarse leg, the 
sides, as Culley describes, being one layer of 
black flesh across another, the shoulder bones 
large, the points projecting. Such beasts are 
sure to be bad handlers, never get very thin, and 
never get fat, will get fleshy, but when it is on 
is no better than bull beef. With such animals a 
cross from the Herefords would be a great im- 
provement. I have handled many Durhams 
with high pedigree, with all the above objec- 
tions. I never j'ct put my hand on a Hereford 
that was not a good handler. My opinion of 
the Herefords is that they are the nicest breed 
of cattle, taken for all purposes, that walk the 
earth, and would have had some in Ohio long 
ago if my means had been equal to my wishes. 

"I remain, gentlemen, yours respectfully, 
"William Kingham. 

"Springfield, Clark Co., 0., March 11, 1841." 

We now give a letter from Mr. Wm. Cother, 
of Oxfordshire, England, to Mr. Sotham, under 
date of Middle Aston, Oxfordshire, Feb. 1, 
1841, which may be found on page 132 of the 
"Cultivator" for 1841 : 

"Mr. Wm. H. Sotham: I am happy to in- 
form you that our ram sea-son closed very satis- 
factory for the breeders of Cotswolds. Their 
superiority is acknowledged by the extraordi- 
nary demand and the high prices given for 
tliem, which is very easily accounted for by 



II I S T n Y () F H E R 1^: F 1? D C A T T L E 



141 



their being much better sucklers, maturing 
earlier, producing more lean, and heavier fleeces 
than the Leicester^. Their fame is now spread 
far and wide, and I expect in a very few years 
that nearly every long-wooled flock in England 
will be 'alloyed" by C'otswold l)lood. 

'"The heifer you call Eliza is not by Young 
Sovereign, but by Favorite, Jr., a son of Fitz 
Favorite. F^itz Favorite was by Favorite, the 
sirs of Old Sovereign, and the latter was the 
sire of more prize beasts than any other bull of 
his day, and was a remarkable instance of suc- 
cessful in-and-in breeding, being the produce 
of a mother and son, the pedigrees of which 
can be given, if required, for a period of more 
than forty years. And I would add that the 
dams of each of the bulls I have named were 
pure Flerefords, the pedigrees of which can be 
given with equal accuracy. The dam of Favor- 
ite, Jr., I knew well, and it is my firm opinion 
that 1 never saw ten so good. 

"This, I should hope, would be sufficient to 
satisfy the most skeptical as to the purity of 
her pedigree on the male side. Her dam was 
bought* of ilessrs. Brown and Lion, the great 
North-country cattle dealers, and was pur- 
chased by them at Darlington, in the County of 
Durham. It was fortunate that you did not 
have her sister, as she has cast her calf. 

"The whole of my three years and nine 
months old steers by Favorite, Jr., grazed on my 
inferior land and finished with £3 worth of oil 
cake each, have made this Christmas £-11 apiece, 
a price which I am of opinion where very few 
Shorthorns or Herefords have arrived at, in 
the same time, and under similar treatment. 
These were the second cross from Shorthorns, 
with a pure Hereford bull each time, a cross I 
do not by any means recommend you to adopt. 
You are in possession of some of the very best 
Hereford blood this country can produce (a few 
of the heifers are perhaps a little too much in- 
and-in bred), and all you now require is a 
(■ou])le of first-rate bulls, with the addition of a 
few heifers of different blood to make proper 
crosses with, to start you a first-class Hereford 
bull breeder, and depend upon it that your 
neighbors will ultimately discern that they can 
live harder, work better, feed ecjually quick if 
not more so, and produce a stall of meat su- 
perior in quality, with a less quantity of coarse, 
than the Shorthorns, and milk as well as the 
highest-bred animals of other kinds. In short, 
I l)elieve they will pay more money for the food 
they consume than any other breed, in which 
opinion many of the most eminent graziers 
agree, some of whom reside in Shorthorn dis- 
tricts and travel nearlv a hundred miles to 



Hereford fairs to buy oxen — a distance unparal- 
leled by graziers in search of cattle of any other 
kind in this country. 

"I advise you to breed pure bulls, and let 
others cross for the shambles, and in so doing I 
think each will benefit his country as well as 
himself. 

"Hard things, indeed, may Justly be said of 
some cattle wearing white faces, and with equal 
truth it may be observed that there are many 
very bad ones of beautiful roan and spotted 
color, with Shorthorns; such are frequently 
good milkers, and so are the Herefords which 
are of low breed and bad form. I imagine that 
Mr. Youatt and others who have designated 
the Hereford cow 'an inferior animal,' could 
not have done so from actual observation, for it 
so happens that in symmetry of form, with sub- 
stance and quality combined, a more beautiful 
animal (of her species) cannot be found in 
Britain. Nor can it be very pleasing to owners 




TROMP, BRED BY W. H. SOTHAM. 

(Property of A. Ayrault. Geneseo, N. Y. First prize. 

N. Y. S. F., 1851. From a drawing by Forbes.) 



of such superb animals as are very many of 
the Hereford cows, to have them so dominated 
• in what is called 'A Standard Work on British 
Cattle.' Nor do I think such an opinion (libel) 
ought to be so uncontradicted, given as it must 
have been (one would suppose) from informa- 
tion and not from ocular demonstration. 

"However 'astonishing' it may appear to Mr. 
Randall that the Herefords in the Gloucester 
Hills 'should have escaped the notice of Mr. 
Youatt six years since,' they have located there 
long before that period, and in many instances 
cows and heifers have been known to weigh from 
fifteen to nineteen scores [300 to 380 lbs. T. 
L. M.] per quarter [or 1,200 to 1,.550 pounds 
to the carcass. T. L. M.], when dead, exclusive 
of hide and tallow, and the oxen from twenty 
to twenty-eight scores [-100 to 5(iO lbs. per 
(luarter, equal to from 1,600 to 2,"240 lbs. jjer 




WILLIAM H. SOTIIAM. IN HllS BOTH YEAK (1801-1S84.) 
Fifty years tlie Cli;iuipiou o( Heiefoiils iu America. 



n I s T () If V 1 ' 



K n K F() i; 1» (' ATT I. 



143 



carcass. These lanass-wcijilils would niiiki' 
the live-weights, aeeordiiiij to tlie fixed I'lniiiish 
system, 2,10(t to -^.GGO lbs. for eows and v!,v!0() 
to •3,\)20 lbs. for oxen. T. L. M.| 

"A Hereforil steer and heifer, both i)red in 
the parish of Northleaoh, Gloucestershire, fed 
in the County of Wilts and slaughtered at Ox- 
ford this Christmas, the former under four 
years old, weighed nearly eighteen scores per 
quarter ( 1,440"^ lbs. dressed, equal to '2,5SO lbs. 
live weight. T. L. M. | and the latter three years 
and six months old, more than seventeen scores 
per (juarter [1,;5()0 lbs. carcass, equal to 2,380 
lbs. live weight. T. L. M.] 

"1 now take my leave of the iady-like' fe- 
males, for the i)urpose of pursuing their 'lordly" 
sons of the Smithtield Club Show, where the tug 
of war is annually kept up between the two con- 
tending breeds. Of their extraordinary fame 
there, let the annals of the club testify; but I 
would observe, by the way, that they are by no 
means well represented there, in proof of which 
a great number of graziers of high reputation, 
viz., Messrs. Rowland, Lidbrook, Terry, Hewett, 
Manning, the three Pains, Bull, and many oth- 
ers equally well noted, who are purchasers of a 
large quantity of the very best steers Hereford- 
shire produces, seldom, if ever, exhibit an ani- 
mal ; the reason of which, as some of them have 
stated to me, is 'that winning a prize entails a 
certain loss," while the breeding and feeding of 
them is almost neglected by wealthy owners of 
the soil. 

"Not so with Shorthorns. They are reared, 
fed and shown under the fostering care of the 
Marquis of Exeter, Lord Spencer and Brown- 
low, Sir Charles Knightly, and other opulent 
men to whom expense is not an object. In mak- 
ing these observations, do not suppose that I 
wish to detract anything from their merits. On 
the contrary, I consider them a credit to their 
noble owners. But I cannot pursue this subject 
further without transcribing the ojiinion of an 
eminent breeder, Mr. Bates of Kirkleavington, 
Yarm, Yorkshire, whose cattle bore away nearly 
all the Shorthorn prizes from Oxford. He says, 
at page 42(!, 'Farmer"s Magazine' for Decem- 
ber, 1840 : 'I visited Hereford about fifty years 
ago, and was then and continue still an admirer 
of the best variety of cattle (Herefords). But I 
consider now and have for above forty years 
been convinced that the very best Shorthorns, 
which are only a few, are capable of im])roving 
all other breeds of cattle in the United King- 
dom, as well as the ordinary Shorthorns, which 
are far from a good breed, and inferior to the 
Herefords, Devons, and others.' And so would 
any moderate jiidge of stock conclude from tak- 



ing a sui'vey of Smithiield market at Christmas, 
where and when some of th(; meat of nearly 
e\ery kind are pitched, the Herefords reigning 
paramount to any other breed, in numbers and 
([uality combined, making more money per head 
than a like number of any other variety. 

"Should the position 1 have taken be doubted 
by any of your American opponents I would 
say to such, come and see, and do not be satis- 
fied with a view of a few inferior of their kind, 
but go home to the best breeders" houses, where 
they will be met with a hospitable reception 
and a hearty welcome, and will find such ani- 
mals as are worthy of a place in a herd book ; 
but in the absence of their names and pedigrees 
in print their own good qualities will be found 
sufficient passport. 

"It may be asked what reason can a man find 
for resorting to a cross breed who so extols the 




LUTHER TUCKER, SR. 
(America's first great Agricultural Editor.) 

Herefords? The question is solved in a few 
words. I was resolved to breed rather a large 
size, and it being difficult to procure large, well- 
bred Hereford cows, except at very high prices, 
and, not having a long purse, I preferred as 
good Shorthorns without pedigrees as I could 
procure, rather than Herefords under the like 
disadvantage, considering, with the 'alloy" in my 
mind's eye, that by so doing I should procure 
a rent-paying, though not a bull-breeding stock, 
and I have much reason to be satisfied with the 
steps I took at that time, since which I have 
added some well-bred Herefords to it, and am 
now in possession of one bull by Cotmore, the 
Oxford pet, and two others, embracing the blood 
of old Trojan and Old Sovereign in a high de- 
gree, which, I think, would be likely to do good 
in America, as a very near relative of the two 
latter has done in Scotland, a son of which won 
a prize in London this Christmas. 

"I should deem it impossible to get up a 



144 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Hereford lierd book here. The breeders are so 
satisfied of tlie superiority of their own breed 
that they are at perfect ease on the suliject. But 
I advise you to have a well authenticated jjedi- 
gree with every beast you import, and com- 
mence a herd book of your own. 

"Mr. Wm. Hewer's Major, the sire of most 
of your heifers, won a prize at Farriugdon, beat- 
ing a number of Shorthorns, and at Cirencester 
he did the same. Jlajor and a daughter of Sir 
George and his (Major's) son won the prize for 
bull, cow, and offspring, a daughter of Old 
Sovereign winning another prize as the best 
breeding cow. And a bull calf, ten months old, 
by Major, won another prize as the best under 
two years old, and here also they came in com- 
petition with Shorthorns. Will it be asserted 
again that *on the bleak highlands of Glouces- 
ter no breed has been cultivated with any very 
marked success' ? 

"I say it has been for twenty years, and can 
prove it, and I say more : no man has a right to 







1 




mm 


t.^B ' 






^t' A 








'^^^^1 


\ 






Wl^ 



CASSIUS M. CLAY. WHITE HALL, LEXINGTON, KY. 

injure another by an assertion he cannot prove. 
These may be considered hard words, but they 
are just ones, used only for the purpose of cor- 
rection, and not intended to give offense. 

"My three fat ewes, which you saw, were 
killed at Oxford last month by Messrs. Green- 
ing, Alden, and Barr, and weighed respectively 
228, 185, and 184 pounds. 

"Your friends and acquaintances are well, 



many of whom speak anxiously of your success, 
which I sincerely hope may exceed your most 
sanguine expectations, nor do I Jloubt it, for I 
consider you Jiave fixed on the breeds of cattle 
and sheep well suited to the rigor of your cli- 
mate ; recollect Devons are natives of a much 
warmer country than the Herefords. 

"Yours truly, Wm. Cotiiek." 

It will be remembered that Mr. Sotham, in 
support of his claim for the Herefords as milk- 
ers, gave in proof that the year before (1839) 
at the first show of the Royal Society of Eng- 
land the Hereford cow of Mr. Smythies took 
the first prize for the best cow in milk. On 
page 57 of the "Cultivator," Vol. 8, may be 
found the following testimony, under the cap- 
tion of "The Hereford Prize Cow :" 

"We have a letter from our friend, Joseph 
Cope, of East Bradford, Pa., in relation to the 
statement made by Mr. Sotham that 'a Here- 
ford cow won the first prize, as the best cow 
for dairy purposes of any breed at the great 
show of the Royal Agricultural Society at Ox- 
ford in 1839.' Mr. Cope doubts this fact, and 
to show that such was not the case he gives a 
detailed list of all the awards of prizes to cattle 
at that show, quoting from a newspaper and 
pamphlet account in his possession. Wo have 
compared Mr. C.'s account with that published 
in the 'Farmer's Magazine,' the organ of the 
society, and find it all correct with the excep- 
tion of so much as relates to the fifth class, in 
which there is no notice of the animal which 
took first prize. The first prize of fifteen sov- 
ereigns, 'for the best cow in milk, which shall, 
in the opinion of the judges, be best calculated 
for dairy purposes,' was awarded 'to the Rev. J. 
R. Smythies, of Lynch Court, Hereford, for his 
Hereford cow, aged nine years, six m'onths.'" 
The second prize was awarded 'to Joseph Bad- 
cock, of Pyrton, for his Durham cow, aged four- 
teen years and two months.' " 

With this array of testimony in favor of the 
Herefords as brought before the public by Mr. 
Sotham in 1840-41, the breeders of to-day will 
bo surprised that they did not succeed in 1840, 
and then become the dominant breed for this 
country as they are now in the West and are 
bound to become in the East as well. 

We find on page 125 of the "Albany Cultiva- 
tor," for 1840, a letter from C. X. Bement, and 
take the following extracts from the same : 

"In Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin, where 
only beef is wanted, and where they have to be 
driven great distances to a market, from what 
I have seen and can learn, the Hereford cer- 
tainly would be preferable, being hardy in con- 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



145 



stitution, good travelers of great size, will fat 
at an early age and will make more pounds of 
Ix't'T with the iiuantity of food consumed, and 
when lietter knmvn in niarket will eonimand the 
highest price. 

"Three Hereford and three Durham cattle 
were j)ut in the stalls to he fattened on the 3d 
of Novcinher. The weight of the Herefords was 
then 33 cwt. and that of the Durhams 38 cwt. 
and 1 » ]i)S. Between that period and the 30th 
of March, when all were sold at Smithfiold, the 
Durhams had consumed 12,755 pounds weight 
more of turnips and 1,714 pounds more of hay 
than the Herefords, but the Durhams, notwith- 
standing the large size when put to fatten, and 
the greatly larger quantity of food consumed, 
sold for only twenty shillings more per head 
than the Herefords, and such, I believe, will 
ever be the results of similar trials, when one 
class of animals has been properly fed and the 
other overfed, the merits of the breed equal. 

"At the meeting of the Smithfield Club in 
December, 1839, the Herefords took the first 



four premiums in Classes 1 and 2 ; in Class 3 
the second prize and second prize in Class 7. In 
the prizes for extra stock, the Herefords took 
the only prize. In the list of commendation, 
the Hereford stands 13, Durham 8, Sussex 1, 
North Devon 1. 

"I have examined the Hereford cattle lately 
imported by our spirited and enterprising citi- 
zens, Erastus Corning, Esq., and Wm. H. So- 
tham, as noticed in the last 'Cultivator.' I 
must confess I was greatly disappointed in the 
size and general form of the cows, for they were 
apparently as large as the Durhams and possess- 
ing the broad loin, large, capacious bodies, deep, 
broad and projecting brisket, but with a coarser 
head and neck, which, to those familiar with the 
Durham, would appear oxy, if I may be allowed 
the expression. The shape and size of their 
udders would indicate fair milkers. ]Mr. Thorn- 
ton, the person who has charge of them, in- 
formed me they gave on an average full a mid- 
dling quantity of milk." 




A. ALEXANDER, LEXINGTON. KY. 



146 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



CHAPTER XII. 



More Early American Hereford History 



It is reported that W. C. Rives of Virginia 
imported Herefords, the date and number of 
which I have no account. 

The Hon. Henry Clay of Kentucky imported 
two pair of Herefords in 1817. 

Admiral Coffin, of the Royal Navy, imported 
and presented to the Massachusetts Society for 
Promoting Agriculture a pair of Herefords. 
The cow, not breeding, was slaughtered, and 
the bull sent to North Hampton, Mass., where 
he was kept for several years, and his produce 
highly esteemed as work cattle, as butcher's 
beasts and in the dairy. 

In 1839 Mr. W. H. Sotham made his iirst 
importation of Hereford cattle. On his arrival 
in New York he sold an interest in them to 
Hon. Erastus Corning of Albany, N. Y''. 

Mr. Sotham was born on the 25th of Janu- 
ary, 1801, in the village of Wooton (H 73a), 
Whitechurch, O.xfordshire, England. His father 
owned his own estate of 200 acres, which de- 
scended to the oldest son. William Henry was 
kept at school until fourteen years old, when 
he took a working place on the farm for two 
years as under teamster, having a team of four 
horses, and a boy to drive. From that time he 
was in charge of the sheep, the farm carrying 
150 Cotswold ewes. He then had charge of 
the colts, breaking and training them; thus 
for several years having charge of the sev- 
eral departments upon the farm, in the hand- 
ling of the stock and marketing of the same 
until 1832, when he came to America with large 
expectations, obtained from descriptions re- 
ceived. 

Stopping. a short time in New York he thence 
went to Buffalo by the New York Canal, from 
there to Cleveland, Ohio. He here met Mr. 
Henry Coit, of Euclid, near Cleveland, who 
owned a large tract of land at Liverpool, Me- 
dina County, about twenty-five miles from 
Cleveland. He went with Mr. Coit to look at 
the land, finding a comfortable brick house with 
a small farm cleared. Mr. Sotham made an 
engagement to take charge of the farm and sales 
of land. He remained here for two years, hav- 



ing accumulated a considerable stock of cattle 
and horses. He took the cattle to Cleveland 
and sold them, and the horses he took to New 
York. 

After selling the horses and paying the pro- 
ceeds over to a brother of Mr. Coit's, Mr. So- 
tham returned to England. Before making the 
importation of Herefords in 1840 he had been 
to England four times, having brought over in 
that time a few sheep. 

In 1840 he imported twenty-one Hereford 
cows and heifers, a two-year-old Hereford bull 
and two Shorthorn cows. One of the Shorthorn 
cows, bred by Sir Charles Knightly, died on the 
passage. The other Shorthorn cow, "Venus," 
bred by R. Lovell of Edgecott, was sold to Mr. 
Thomas Hillhouse for $1,000. 

He again returned to England and brought 
out ten Hereford heifers and a bull, six first- 
prize Cotswold ewes, shown at the Royal fair 
in 1839, and seventeen Cotswold rams. 

A third importation was made in 1843, when 
he took the whole steerage of the ship Hendrick 
Hudson, which he filled with Hereford heifers, 
one bull and several calves. He met a 
heavy and severe storm off the bank of New- 
foundland. The severity of the storm made it 
necessary to close the hatches for several days, 
and the result was the suffocation and conse- 
quent loss of the entire shipment. 

During this time the Hon. Erastus Corning 
was interested with Mr. Sotham in his im- 
portations. Mr. Corning had large business in- 
terests and was influential in the political world. 
Recognizing these facts, the Shortliorn breeders 
made special efforts to detach Mr. C. from the 
Hereford interest, and were finally successful. 
They went still further and endeavored to pre- 
vent the stock from going to Mr. Sotham at all, 
but on this point they failed to carry out their 
plans. Mr. Corning met their endeavors in 
this particular way by saying that Mr. Sotham 
should have such as he wished and sold to 
him at favorable prices and terms. 

We wish here to call particular attention to 
the chapter which precedes this, and gives the 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



147 



(li'tails of tlie Hercford-Shorthoni controversy 
as WiigLM] ill tliL' agricultural |)ai)crs and at the 
different shows and fairs from 1834 to 1811; 
the Xew York Agricultural Society being 
founded for tlie s]jecial purpose of promoting 
the Shorthorn interest. 

We give in tlie chapter on Fairs and Shows 
a full account of the formation of the New 
York State Fair, as a matter of reference. 

It will be seen that the Shorthorn breeders 
Used every means in their power to defeat Mr. 
Sotham. We will follow that controversy from 
18 tl, in which year the Xew Y'ork State Society 
organized their first show. It will be shown that 
thai society was under the control of the same 
])arties that met Mr. S. and his Herefords in 
1><-I0, with the correspondence we have given. 

The writers of that day speak of the Sotham 
importation of Herefords in the highest terms. 
A. B. Allen says of them : "that they gave him 
a different opinion of the breed from what he 
had before." 

The committee of judges at the first fair held 
Ijy the New York State Agricultural Society 
recommended a special premiimi to the Here- 
ford cow "Matchless" (|f TiF) and further 
spoke of the Herefords belonging to Messrs. 
Corning and Sotham as entitled to a class, and 
recommended that a class should be made and 
special premiums should be awarded them, 
which, so far as we are enabled to find, was not 
done. 

Mr. T. C. Peters, writing from London Jan- 
uary (ith, 18-12, says: "One of the best Here- 
ford bulls I have seen, indeed one of the best 
1 ever saw of any breed, is going out to Albany 
by the packet ship Hendrick Hudson." Major 
was purchased by Mr. Sotham in person. 

We have in our review of the Hereford-Short- 
horn interest from 1834 to 1841, brought Mr. 
Sotham's connection with that controversy fully 
bi foi'e our readers. We have shown that he 
brought in support of the Hereford claims an 
array of testimony that was a complete estab- 
lishment of his claims; that it was done in a 
manner creditable to him as a man and a 
breeder. We have shown that his opponents 
admitted that his stock was excellent, of the 
lust cpiality ; that it was better than the history 
of Youatt would warrant them in expecting to 
see, and they claimed it must have a cross of 
Shorthorn to give character. Other and disin- 
terested parties came to ^fr. Sotham's aid to 
bear testimony to the merits of the Herefords, 
;;nd their testimony was not only for the time 
then under controversy, but covered from a 
fjuarter to a half century ])revious, and the only 
testimony that the Sliorfhorn men who opposed 



Mr. Sotham brought forward in favor of the 
Shorthorns and in opposition to Herefords was 
Youatt's History of British Cattle. This his- 
tory, we have shown by Youatt himself, so far 
as the Shorthorn breed was concerned, was writ- 
ten by Rev. Henry Berry, a Shorthorn breeder. 
We have shown from Youatt's history of the 
Herefordshire cattle that extensive experiments 
had been made by the Duke of Bedford in the 
feeding and grazing of Shorthorns and Here- 
fords that had resulted in displacing the Short- 




■■WHITE HALL." NR..\R LEXIXGT(.IN. KY. 
(Residence of Cassius .M. Clay.) 

horns and establishing the Herefords on that 
estate, and we quote Y'ouatt as saying that the 
reason why the date for these experiments was 
not given was because they were not satisfactory 
to the patrons of the Shorthorns. We have 
shown that Youatt, in the history of several of 
the local breeds, credits the Herefords as giving 
character to those breeds in improving the feed- 
ing, grazing and dairy qualities, that, had they 
been given in the history, would have placed the 
Herefords in the first position at the time he 
wrote. 

We state distinctly and confidently that Mr. 
Sotham produced a class of cattle in 1840 that 
finally established the claims he made for su- 
periority, that he brought forward testimony, 
clear and convincing, that these qualities had 
been in the breed for half a century, and that 
the success of the Herefords at that time was 
defeated by a combination of Bates' Shorthorn 
breeders, and we have shown that the New York 
State Fair was organized by these men in 1841 
at Syracuse. At this fair Mr. Rust showed a 
fat ox with a mottled face (^ 7.5), which took 
the first premium, for which the Shorthorn men 
claimed the credit. Mr. Sanford, one of the 
leading writers of that day, and a breeder of 
large experience, met this claim by showing that 



148 



HISTORY OP HEREFORD CATTLE 



tlie Hereford blood was the controlling element 
in his breeding, and that he owed his excellence 
to the Hereford blood. He says: 

"While on my late trip to the Bast I saw 
this ox of Mr. Rust's. He is truly a most 
superb animal. His portrait in the 'Transac- 
tions" does not do him full Justice. He is finer 
in the neck and every way more finished than 
the picture represents. He has, both in shape 
and color, all the leading characteristics of a' 
Hereford; his shoulders are well set, his chine 
full, back short, loin and hips very wide, rump 
long, legs clean and sinewy, and he is consid- 
erably heavier than any other animal I ever saw 
of so little bone and offal. At the time I saw 
him Mr. Rust thought his weight could not be 
less than 3,700 pounds, and it has been ascer- 
tained by repeated weighings that his gain was 
at least three pounds per day. Notwithstanding 




following report: "Your committee further re- 
port that a new and beautiful race of cattle was 
presented for their examination, the Herefords 
imported by a distinguished breeder of cattle, 
residing in Albany County, which they take 
pleasure in recommending to the attention of 
those who desire to improve their stock. Your 
committee recommend a special premium of 
twenty dollars for the Hereford cow 'Match- 
less,' as we consider her a very superior animal, 
and they would also suggest the propriety of 
offering and awarding premiums for the best 
blooded animals of each individual breed. Im- 
proved Shorthorn Durhams, Herefords and 
Devons, at their next agricultural meeting, in 
addition to premiums offered for the best ani- 
mals of any breed." (Report of Com., page 49, 
Transactions N. Y. Agl. S., 1841.) 

In 1842 this fair was held at Albany, and we 







^UT^^I 


mn 



MEDAL OF THE N. Y. S. A. S., AWARDED TO WM. H. SOTHAM, 1856. 



his immense weight, he was from the justness of 
his proportions very active. When lying down, 
he would get up as quick as a suckling calf. 

"I saw the man who said he raised this ox 
and the history which he gave of him was that 
the bull which sired him was 'part Hereford.' 
In this both he and Mr. Rust agreed. I cannot 
see why this statement need be doubted, for, 
according to an account which Mr. Bement has 
published, some Herefords were introduced into 
this part of the country several years ago. But 
history and tradition out of the question, it ap- 
pears to me there would be as much propriety 
in taking an animal which would show all the 
principal points in shape and color of an im- 
proved Shorthorn as a specimen of the 'native 
stock' as there is in taking this ox as such. An 
example of this kind would probably be re- 
garded by the advocates of the Shorthorns as 
not altogether fair." 

At the close of this fair the judges made the 



quote from the judges' report, published in 
March following, six months after the fair. Re- 
port of cows, heifers, etc. : 

"In publishing the account of the State Fair 
in the November number of the 'Cultivator,' 
the following report was omitted: 'The com- 
mittee of the New York State Agricultural So- 
ciety on Cows, Heifers and Heifer Calves, com- 
prising Classes V, VI, VII and VIII, respect- 
fully report: 

" 'That they have attended to the duties of 
their appointment, in which they experienced 
the embarrassment usual on such occasions, 
from finding the animals numerous while the 
premiums were few, but adopted the rule that 
a majority in number of the committee should 
of course in all cases be decisive. 

" 'Your committee found it no easy matter to 
decide among so many fat calves as were shown 
in Class VIII, their respective merits and 
faults being alike covered and hidden by flesh, 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



li9 



so much so that they woru really bettei" adapted 
for the inspection of a committee of butchers 
than of breeders. 

" 'The practice, now too common, of fatten- 
ing breeding animals for exhibition is not only 
wholly without utility, but is so bad and in- 
jurious in every point of view that it ought to be 
discountenanced. 

" 'It will not fail to be noticed that all the 
foregoing jjremiums are given to animals of 
the valuable breed known as "Durham Short- 
horns," against which kind there were on this 
occasion no other breed shown in competition, 
excejit Herefords, of which there was a beautiful 
and very creditable exhibition, consisting of a 
portion of the herd of Messrs. Corning and So- 
tham, some individuals of which this committee 
would highly recommend, especially as being 
good specimens of that important quality, good 
handling, always essential to excellence. 

"'Your committee (of which a portion if 
not a majority is composed of what might be 
called "Shorthorn men," either by preference 
or interest, as Shorthorn breeders), from mo- 
tives of delicacy, not to say generosity, did not 
deem themselves called on to decide between 
these two rival breeds and against the Here- 
fords, whicli would have been, for the most part, 
and in effect, their decision, if made on this oc- 
casion. 

" 'In England, the home of both breeds, where 
beef is the first and almost governing considera- 
tion, the Herefords as a breed, it is well known, 
have long maintained a sharp and often success- 
ful competition with the Shorthorns for feed- 
ing purposes, especially as a grazing stock, while 
it is claimed and now generally conceded by 
well-informed, dispassionate persons in Eng- 
land, that the well-bred Shorthorns have the 
merit of earlier maturity and are also entitled 
to the preference for stall feeding and more 
especially and decidedly so for dairy purposes, 
in which the Shorthorns and their crosses are 
believed to excel all other breeds and that the 
pure-bred males of this breed are capable of 
improving all other breeds of cattle, certainly 
a most imj)ortant consideration, and especially 
so in this and all the northern portions of the 
United States. 

" 'It is understood that the Herefords have 
not yet been sufliciently tried in this country as 
milkers, in the absence of which there seems to 
prevail at present an unfavorable impression 
of them as dairy stock, which impression, it is 
hoped, may be soon done away, if, as their 
friends claim, the Herefords are really a su- 
perior milking breed. Some of their crosses 
with native live stock, now existing in Massa- 



chusetts, descended from an importation of 
Herefords made many years since, by Admiral 
Coffin, are understood to have proved excellent 
milkers. 

" 'It is, besides, claimed for the Herefords 
that they will make good working cattle, being 
strong and active, which is not doubted. It is 
also conceded that the quality of the Hereford 
beef is excellent. Therefore, taking no more 
than a fair view of their case, the Herefords 
must in all probability prove a highly valuable 
stock in those portions of this country where 
the grazing cattle for beef is a primary object. 

" 'Under these circumstances your committee 
would ask in behalf of the newly-imported 
Herefords a fair chance — and that they be al- 
lowed after coming from on shipboarcl to get 
well upon their feet before they "enter the 
lists" against the now well-established Short- 
horns. If the Herefords are cherished and en- 
couraged for a time it is to be hoped that the 
now favorite Durhams may by-and-by, in future 
competition, find in them "foeraen worthy of 
their steel.'' 




JOHN MERRYMAN, OP ''THE HAYFIKLlis," GOCK- 
EYSVILLE, MD. 

" 'If the Herefords were distributed in more 
hands so as to give room for com])etition among 
themselves, your committee would suggest the 
expediency of hereafter offering premiums for 
them in a class distinct from other breeds. 
Also for North Devons, a highly useful and 



150 



H 1 S T li Y U F H E K E F K D C A T T L E 



most valuable breed, especially on light soils 
and in hilly districts of country. 

" 'Your committee cannot, in justice, close 
their report without remarking that the want of 
information as to how the animals had been fed, 
also as to the milking qualities of the cows, and 
occasionally as to pedigrees, was much felt by 
the committee, who in the absence of this needed 
information, were in many instances left to 
grope their way in the dark to a decision, of 
course in some cases by no means satisfactory 
even to themselves. Nor did we find persons 
in attendance to lead out the animals for a more 
full and careful examination, especially as to 
their style of carriage or movement, which, it is 
needless to remark, is, as well as form and hand- 
ling, an essential element of any intelligent 
opinion or critical decision on their merits. All 
of which is respectfully submitted. 

'•' 'David C. Collixs, Ch'n. 
Hartford, Conn. 
I. S. Hitchcock, 
w. k. townsend, 
Ch.\s. Broom, 
R. L. Allen. 

Committee. 

" 'Albany, Sept. 29, 1842.' " 

We give this quotation in full. The com- 



mittee state that they are Shorthorn men. We 
have clearly shown that Mr. Sotham had a con- 
test single-handed against the State of New 
York. These Bates men had taken that society 
and organized it and ran it in their interest. 
The report, it will be noticed, states that all of 
the premiums were given to Shorthorns, and 
that there was no comjjetition except the Here- 
fords. With Shorthorn judges it would not be 
expected to be otherwise. 

Mr. Sotham exhibited his Herefords at the 
New York State Fair for a number of years, as 
he did at other fairs in Ohio, Kentucky, Mis- 
souri and Pennsylvania. He sold stock to go to 
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine,^ Ver- 
mont, Connecticut, Ohio, Kentucky and Ten- 
nessee. 

We have found descendants of his stock in 
all parts of the covmtry from Maine to the 
Rocky Mountains. Whatever proportion of 
blood remained they made friends of their own- 
ers, and the influence of his work we have met 
everywhere and have been benefited thereby. 

We met a Mr. Kelly, formerly of Rutland, 
Vt., who said he had owned Herefords forty 
years ago, and they were the best dairy cows 
he ever owned, and the young cattle were always 
ready for the butcher. 

We met Judge Downing of Denver, who has 




HERBFOKDS. PKUi'KKTY OF T. F. B. SOTHAM. 



11 I STO I! Y () 



IlEKEFOKI) CATTLE 



151 



IIiTofonls from ilr. Corning, and they were 
iisod as mountain teams at three years old, from 
grass, made 1,G00 pound bullocks. 

A Jlr. Gird took a half-blood Hereford to 
Colorado and he gave character and reputation 
to the cattle of his neighborhood, and Judge 
Wilcox, whose herd run with the descendants 
of this bull, said the calves from the quarter- 
blood were as good at two years old as the others 
were at three. We might repeat these influences 
almost without limit. 

Aliout ly.')"^ Jlr. Sotham sold a number to 
Jlr. H. Bowcn, Jr., Summit, X. Y. (H 7(5), and 
four to Mr. Remington of Auburn, N. Y. They 
bred for several years and were exhibitors at 
the Xew York State Fair as late as 1860. We 
met Jlr. Bowen at the Centennial E.xhibition at 
Philadelphia, where he introduced himself. We 
recognized him at once from what we had 



publication of his "Hereford Journal," a copy 
of the first number of which we herewith pre- 
sent in full, as again illustrating his aims and 
the opposition met with: 



HEREFORD 



J U R X A L. 
Vol. 1, No. 



By W. H. Sotham. Vol. 1, No. 1. 

Owego, Tioga County, X. Y., April, 1857. 

AMERICAN JUDGES OF CATTLE. 

Owego. Tioga Co., N. Y., Jan. 21, 1857. 
To the Editor of the "Mark Lane Express" 
(London) : 
Dear Sir : As it is a very stormy, snowy day, 
and a very severe "cold blow," I will show what 
kind of a "judge" Mr. Chapman proves to be, 
and I am exceedingly sorry to say there have 
been numerous judges of this kind at our state 
shows, by which more second and third-class 




MEDAL OF THE iN. Y. A. S.. AWARDED TO WSl. H. SOTHAM, IsM. 



known of his connection with the Herefords. 
He spoke in the highest terms of the Herefords 
as the best cattle he has ever had or known, 
and to the question why he did not continue to 
keep them, his reply was, the Shorthorn inter- 
est was too strong for him ; he could not make 
sales at paying prices. 

Mr. Sotham sold to Mr. Ayrault of Geneseo, 
X. Y.. and to Mr. ilurray of Mount ]\Iorris, and 
about the same time he sold to the Hon. John 
Merrynum of Cockeysville, Md., and Mr. Mer- 
ryman continued an active and successful breed- 
er from that time and the family are still breed- 
ing Herefords. 

That those he desired to reach shoidd the 
better liear both sides, Mr. Sotham began the 



Shorthorn bulls have gloried in their triumph 
with first and second prizes over those of first 
class. The following is my letter to Mr. Chap- 
man: 

Sir: As you say you treat every person 
"gentlemanly," allow me to ask you as a gentle- 
man whether you put your hand on all or any 
of my cattle during the time they were in the 
ring? You were closely observed by many, 
who feel confident in saying your eye was vour 
judge, and that you did not put your hand upon 
either of them properly. I have a right as an 
exhibitor to ask this question, and you as a gen- 
tleman have a right to answer it. 

I am, sir, vours, etc., 

" W. H. SOTHAJI. 



152 



HISTORY OF HEllEFORD CATTLE 



The following is Mr. Chapman's reply: 
Mt. Pleasant Farm, Clockville, 
Madison Co., N. Y., Dec. 22, '56. 

Sir: In yours of the 15th inst., just re- 
ceived, you ask if I put my hand on either of 
your animals while in the ring? I answer, No," 
sir — but for you to suppose that "my eye alone 
was my judge"' is simply ridiculous. I think 
that the animals "in the ring" would not handle 
materially different from animals in their stalls. 
And I endeavored to give all animals (cattle) 
of any merit a good examination during the 
three or four days previous to their appearance 
in the ring. For you to feel so sore about the 
decision of four such men as composed that 
committee, setting aside myself, the fifth, I 
think, will lead you to injure rather than bene- 
fit your herd. Respectfully yours, 

S. P. Chapman. 

Wm. H. Sotham, Esq. 

My reply to the above: 

Owego, Dec. 26, '56. 

I received yours this morning, and in reply 
must ask you one more question, which you are 
bound as a gentleman and chairman of that 
committee to answer. Did you put your hand 
on either of my animals while in their stalls at 
Philadelphia? Both my young men (students 



of mine), my herdsman and myself all know 
you ; either one or the other, and more frequent- 
ly two of us, were with the cattle ; all four will 
say you never entered "either stall" in our pres- 
ence. When I ask your advice you are at liberty 
to give it ; I will risk my herd myself, and I fear 
no man. My object is to know whether you 
did your duty as chairman, and you ought to 
know, as a breeder, that is my right. If Mr. 
Tainter is as rich as Golconda he is "no judge 
of cattle." What you can say or do will not 
injure my herd; it will stand the test under 
sound judgment. 

I am, sir, yours, etc., 

Wm. H. Sotiiam. 

S. P. Chapman, Esq. 

I was perfectly satisfied Mr. Chapman did 
not put his hand upon my cattle, and I waited 
three weeks for his reply to this, in hopes of 
getting something more in Mr. Chapman's own 
"hand"-writing ; but I suppose he found out his 
true predicament and declined to e.^pose him- 
self further. Therefore I wrote him the follow- 
ing letter: 

Owego, Jan. 16, 1857. 

Sir: As you did not answer my last letter, 
I suppose you silently confess all I said were 
facts you could not contradict ; but as you pro- 



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jJll/nk'itidt'rfKm 



CITY OF HEREFORD AND THE RIVER WYE. 



HISTORY OF HEHEFOKD CATTLE 



153 



fess to treat all men "gentlemanly," why refuse 
to answer the questions therein contained more 
than the other? 

All seem to correspond. I have written an- 
other letter to the "Mark Lane Express," in 
which I shall copy both yours and my letters. I 
also send you a copy of my letter from the 
"Mark Lane E.xpress," so tliat you may answer 
for yourself as you deem proper. I have also 
sent a copy to each of your associates (one of 
whom now owns the four cows I there ex- 
hibited), so that you may bring them to your 
aid. I know the person who purchased them 
handled them thoroughly, both in and out of 



1 am prepared to meet you on either horn of the 
dilemma, or both, or any of your associates who 
choose to take up this all-important subject. I 
consider it "gentlemanly" to send you a copy of 
everything I write, therefore 1 shall do so, also 
your associates on the sweepstakes committee. 
I am, sir, your humble servant, 

\V. H. SOTHAM. 

S. P. Chapman, Esq. 

Now, Mr. Editor, I send you the ''Ohio Farm- 
er" containing Mr. Cassius M. Clay's answer to 
my former letter, published September 15 in 
your paper, in which he says, "I made a mistake 
in calling his brother's, Brutus J. Clay's, herd 




LEONORA, -THE INCOMPARAriLE,' 



BRED BY MRS. S. EDWARDS, WINTERCOTT, LEOMINSTER. HEREFORD. 
(From a painting.) 



the ring, and I also know his opinion of them. 
On the other hand, I must confess I never saw 
o;- heard a plainer case of prejudice or ignorance 
on cattle tiian yours. Or, if you mean to infer 
by saying "I endeavored to give all the animals 
(cattle) of any merit a good examination dur- 
ing the three or four days previous to their ap- 
pearance in the ring" that mine were of no 
merit, which evidently shows your object, to es- 
cape the accusation, proves wilful in the super- 
lative degree; therefore you can place yourself 
on wiiich horn of the dilemma you think best. 



his. I therefore transfer the remarks I made on 
that herd to where it belongs, and will truthful- 
ly maintain all I did say." . 

Mr. Cassius M. Clay says, "the best judges I 
have heard speak on the subject regard the 
Herefords as not a pure breed ; and if they 
were I have all the more no fancy for them." Is 
this not hearsay and prejudice of the worst 
kind and carrying his fancy to schoolboy ex- 
treme without investigation? Can any man 
say more against any breed unfoundedly ? Still, 
he says, "Shorthorn breeders do not attempt to 



154 



HISTORY OF HEEEFORD CATTLE 



pull other breeds down to build up their owu.'" 
I would ask Mr. Clay, as he professes to be 
an old breeder and dealer, and also your more 
experienced breeders, whether Shorthorns with 
long, silky coats are thoroughbred animals ; or 
whether the origin of that coat does not belong 
to the Scots? I am perfectly satisfied in my 
own mind that that coat came from Scotland, 
clandestinely bred into Durhams, for it was 
never seen in their originals; so say all the 
original breeders. 

Again he says, "I do not know what Mr. S. 
means by proof. The cow of mine which 
weighed 2,0'^0 pounds" (I suppose Mr. Clay 




WI.XTKH UK COTE 142531 3204. 

(Bred by T. Edwards. Champion of England. 1871 to 1875. 

inclusive. Sire of Leonora, Beatrice, etc. From 

a painting.) 



here means live weight, much the best way of 
selling Shorthorns), "was only stuffed six 
months, and as good judges as Mr. S. offered 
me $140 for her." He (Mr. C.) challenges any 
cow in America to beat this. I could have fed 
twenty cows of my own breeding that would 
have beaten it fairly; all raised on a light soil; 
much more, had they been raised on the rich 
grazing land in Kentucky, with a close ad- 
herence to the breeders" abundant corn cribs in 
winter. My cattle never could enjoy such lux- 
uries of "stuffing"" as Mr. Clay says his "can 
bear." My purse was always too light and too 
much embarrassed to afford this extravagance. 
So, Mr. Clay may boast of stuffing, but I wish 
he. would produce his balance-sheet with that 
"stuffing." 

In 1844 and 1845 I took a Hereford cow 
and a half-bred Hereford and Shorthorn cow to 
Boston. I sold to Mr. Bennett (the noted sales- 
man of Brighton) both cows. The former for 
$150 — she weighed 2,313 lbs., when put on the 
railroad scales at Albany, and when weighed 
again at Brighton she weighed 2,247 lbs. The 



half-bred Shorthorn weighed somewhat lighter 
and fetched a little less money, but was an ex- 
cellent cow. I did not keep the dead weight of 
either. The Hereford was milked once a day 
until August 1st ; afterwards grazed as long as 
there was a good bite of grass and then put up 
to feed. She was in good store condition while 
milking and came to her stall good average 
American beef. In the last of March I started 
to Boston with her. The butcher who killed 
her took the meat round Boston for public in- 
spection on a sunny day and spoilt the whole 
of it ; it had been hanging in his stall long 
enough for this purpose previous to this, and 
for good keeping, and this was the reason I 
could not get her dead weight. I never saw a 
cow that would sink less offal. She was perfect 
in her symmetry and her quality of meat proved 
it could not be excelled. 

Mr. Clay further says : "As to the Heref ords 
I have nothing to say for or against them, ex- 
cept they have never in public opinion risen to 
the rank of contending for the supremacy.'' 

Can Mr. Clay, professing to be an old breeder 
and dealer, plead ignorance for this assertion? 
Does he know nothing of Smithfield and Birm- 
ingham shows? "I guess not."' I shall leave 
this to you, Mr. Editor, as you are well and 
impartially "posted" in this matter; and you 
know how frequently the Herefords have beaten 
the Shorthorns while each breed were contend- 
ing for the "supremacy"" and the former always 
met the latter under adverse circumstances. I 
see by one of your papers "that a snug little 
family party of Shorthorn breeders had pre- 
viously controlled the Smithfield Club," but lat- 
terly the "march of progress" had taken its seat 
amongst them ; the pressure without called loud- 
ly for justice, to break up this combined clique, 
and has now succeeded. We shall now be able 
to see which breed deserves the "supremacy."" 

The home of the Shorthorns in England is as 
rich land as Kentucky, which gives them every 
advantage — forces them on in early life. Still 
the Herefords have always beaten them in early 
maturity, when brought under a fair trial. No 
better proof of this could be shown than in the 
decision of Mr. White of Upleaden and the Rev. 
H. Berry, producing the yearling Herefords 
and Shorthorn heifers at Sir Charles Morgan's 
shows at Tradegar — Mr. Berry giving the "chal- 
lenge" and Mr. White beating him as a year- 
ling. Mr. Berry, not being satisfied, challenged 
to show Mr. White the second year, the heifer 
gaining the greatest weight to be the winner; 
Mr. White again accepted the challenge and 
beat him in weight 112 pounds. I refer you to 
this statement in one of the late Rev. J. R. 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



155 



Smytliies' lettiTs in your ])aper a sliort time 
previous to his death, and who was present at 
both decisions. 

Tlie home of the Herefords in England is 
light sterile soil, and they are generally bred 
on light soil here. Still, we beat the Short- 
horns, both here and there, under impartial and 
))roper judges, anil with this just treatment will 
ullimalcly rank first of all breeds. 

You see plainly by the prejudice advanced 
by Mr. Clay and Mr. Chapman what Hereford 
breeders have to contend witli here ; and there 
are many such writers as "C. M. C." — -fresh 
ones springing up every day like miishrooms — 
assuming that a breeder can be made in a day 
l)y purchasing "herd-book cattle" and the next 
week copy from some one else an article to 
teach old breeders. This you will see by the 
"Ohio Farmer," which I send you with this. 

Such "judges" as Mr. Chapman have been 
frequently put on the committee at our State 
fairs. When "Halton" took the first prize at 
Rochester in the foreign class, one of the 
"judges" was a schoolmaster. This I know to 
be true, for I was manager of the whole cattle 
department that year and laughed heartily while 
they were "judging" of "Belted Will," and 



"Halton" (both Shorthorns), the former being 
by far the best bull. They call "Halton" an 
enormous size, therefore "Halton" was the best. 
Whether this was the "schoolmaster abroad" I 
know not. From such causes as these, Mr. Edi- 
tor, springs my spirit of controversy; and in 
such defense you cannot blame me. Whatever 
you see amiss in my letter tell it to the people ; 
such conduct will never offend me. I write my 
views on a subject as plainly as lam capable, not 
being a "classical man," and solicit information 
from the soundest source. If I deviate from the 
truth intentionally, trim me with a severe pen 
and I will retire from the field disgusted with 
my own actions. I am the only breeder who 
will write in defense of Herefords against Short- 
horn boasting, and I am determined to stand 
my ground against unlimited numbers of those 
who call themselves "breeders" and who are 
constantly puffing their cattle in this country 
either by tongue or pen. 

Since my last letter to you I have traveled 
through much of Canada, and from casual ob- 
servation in the townships of Markham and 
Pickering, near Toronto, was impressed most 
favorably with the quality of the soil, more es- 
])ecially for turnips. It is mostly inhabited by 




GRATEFUL (4022) 2572. 
(Urud by A. llogers. Chamiiiou of Eugliind. lS7(i-lSS0. From a paiutiug.) 



156 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Scotch. The crop of swedes, carrots, etc., etc., 
grown by George, William (jj 97) and John 
Miller in these two townships proved to me that 
they had not forgotten their old Scotch cus- 
toms. Their crops of swedes were equal to any- 
thing I ever saw in England under a similar 
-season, and cultivated in a very workmanlike 
manner, perfectly free from weeds and perfect, 
straight drills. 

Messrs. George and William Miller have 
twelve head of Sliorthorns, which they imported 
from Scotland. Ten of these heifers and a bull 
were the best lot I ever saw come from one 
man's herd; they were uniform in symmetry, 
first quality, size and compactness, "straight 
bottoms and large, straight tops," on short legs. 




NORTH HEREFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 
(From a photograph.) 

free from hollow crops and large paunches, most 
of them long, beautiful "silky coats." My 
"hand" was upon the whole of them ; and after 
"a good examination" I pronounced the breeder 
of those Shorthorns worthy of the -name, al- 
though I never Ijcfore heard it, or ever saw it in 
print. He would not sacrifice his herd for the 
purpose of ruining them for "high shows." I 
consider this a wise man and should very much 
like to know how he bred them. I feel very 
much inclined to say Scotland and Scotch coats 
was the making of that herd. After examining 
another bull that came out at the same time I 
found him second-class. I then began to think 
Shorthorns could not be bred uniformly in first- 
class quality, imagining this a descent from it, 
but ultimately discovered that this bull was not 
bred by the same person. He has searched far 
and wide for similar quality to his own; not 
succeeding, he sent the best he could. Here 
lies the principal evil in breeding. Had the 
Messrs. Miller used this second-class bull, in 
what class would the offspring of these first- 
class heifers have ranked ? Would they not have 



gone back to their sire generally? But the 
Messrs. Miller concluded not to use him. I ad- 
vised them to search the country through for a 
first class, as their means were ample; recom- 
mended them very strongly to get "Balco," im- 
ported by L. G. Morris, or "New Year's Day," 
imported by the Ohio Company — the two best 
bulls of that breed I ever put my hand upon. 
Such Shorthorns as these, in a breeder's hands, 
are very hard to be beaten by any breed, and 
when I see them compare generally with this 
herd, or a similar one, my pen shall cease to 
complain of want of true uniformity in that 
breed. 

On the other hand, suppose Messrs. Miller 
used the one they had, or "Halton," "Meteor," 
"Marquis of Carabus," "Locomotive" (which 
Mr. Cassius M. Clay says "beat the world"), 
and many others that I could name, most of 
which have gained first prizes at our State 
shows, how quickly this herd would go back into 
second and third class, or mingling all these 
qualities with it. Here the very secret lies: 
"Judges" have not sufficiently studied all three 
classes — given prizes more to large size than 
any other object; and purchasers have been in- 
fluenced by the endorsement of these Societies. 
So long as this principle is allowed to govern, 
thus long shall we possess all qualities in Short- 
horns, and more frequently third class. I will 
call on all proper breeders to deny this if they 
can. Mr. George Miller lived in a mud house 
built by his own hands. I was much amused by 
the description he gave me of the operation 
while building it. A man chopped straw with 
an ax, mixed it with the mud and served him 
with this material while he laid up the walls 
with a dung-fork, hewed them straight with a 
broad-axe when sufficiently dry. H was after- 
wards covered with lime mortar and small stone, 
having the appearance of a stone house, costing 
him 113 days for one man building. 

I am, dear sir, yours sincerely, 
Wm. Ht. Sotham. 

a challenge ! w. h. sotham. 

herd books. 

Written for the "Ohio Farmer," by Cassius M. 
Clay. 

Whitehall, Madison Co., Ky., Dec. 18, '5fi. 

My Dear Brown : I was not a little aston- 
ished at the article of a Mr. Sotham, which you 
copied from an English paper. I make a few 
remarks in response to his assertions about my 
stock, not so much to repel his untruths as to 
"vindicate history" for its own sake. 

Mr. Sotham seems to think that I ventured 



HISTORY OP HEREFORD CATTLE 



157 



upon asserting that the "Shorthorn" was the 
"host hreed of cattle" without '■'proof." Now, 
every intelligent agricultural writer and reader 
ought to know that the word of a man is not 
more worth)' of credit because they may go 
before a magistrate and make oath to the same. 
Each one gives his opinion, no (ioul)t biased in 
some extent, by habit and the amiable weakness 
of self-interest. But, after all, a man's ability 
and honesty will be very properly estimated by 
the public, as Mr. S. will no doubt find out 
after awhile. 

The inijiutation against me as one of those 
who are getting up an "excitement" about Short- 
horns need not be proven to you to be untrue, 
when you remember that I only write the few 
articles in the "Ohio Farmer" by your request. 
I am the first breeder of Shorthorns in Madison 
County, and a breeder and dealer for more than 
twenty years, and yet I never before wrote a line 
on the subject. For Mr. Sotham's consolation 
1 will say that my herd is very small, and I have 
a desire to increase it, rather than sell, even for 
"exorbitant" prices ! His remarks about my 
cattle at the National fair at Springfield are 
ratlicr singular, as I had only one-half of the 
bull Locomotive (who took the first premium in 
his ring against the world) and no oihcr cattle 
at all. If through mistake he applied his re- 
marks to me instead of my brother, B. J. Clay, 
I need only say that he took more premiums 
than any other man iipon the same number, 
and many thought he was entitled to the pre- 
mium for the "best herd," which was not given, 
1 learn, because some other parties were not 
willing for additional judges to be called in. 

The breeders of Shorthorns do not deem it 
necessary to attack other breeds in order to 
elevate their own. In giving my views upon 
the "best breeds" I was willing to admit that 
the Devons and Ayrshires were the best breeds 
in some localities and iinder certain circum- 
stances of climate and food. 

Mr. S. complains of our "stuffing" our "cat- 
tle." Ours are the cattle that will bear "stuf- 
fing" and "pay" well for the stuffing. We al- 
ways avowed that they were heavy feeders and 
would not recommend them where "heavy feed- 
ing" was not desirable, and yet as I suggested, 
the Boston "Cultivator" asserts that those fine 
ones in Maine and New Hampshire are crosses 
of the Shorthorn. Devon and Longhorn. As to 
the Herefords, I have nothing to say for or 
against them, except that they have never, in 
public o])inion, risen to the rank of contending 
for the supremacy, and with Mr. S. for an ad- 
vocate I think the day is far distant when an 
"excitement" in their behalf will be gotten up ! 



The best judges I have heard speak on the sub- 
ject regard the Herefords as not a pure breed; 
and if they were I must say that I have all the 
more no fancy for them. I know not what Mr. 
S. means by '"proofs." The cow of mine which 
weighed 2,020 pounds was only "stuffed" six 
months; and the butchers at Albany, N. Y., 
who are, I presume, as good judges of fine beef 
as Mr. S., offered $140 for her, which was re- 
fused by her owners. Now, this cow was by no 
means the largest or finest of the breed, and 
never was much "stuffed," and yet I venture 
to assert there is no "Hereford" in America 
which will weigh as much or bring as much 
money at the block ! The above facts, if not 
"proofs" can be proved by certificates, if we 
have to go outside of the rules of gentlemen in 
this discussion ! 

What though I admitted that some families 
or strains of Durhams or Shorthorns were "deli- 
cate," do not facts aver the same of all breeds of 
air animals? I desire to elicit truth and promote 
the general good. If I was merely a defender 
of Shorthorns, I should say buy any of long 
pedigree, without regard to quality, beauty, 
form or constitution ; but as I profess to en- 
lighten others, as far as my knowledge and ex- 
perience go, I wish them to use their own judg- 
ment ; and I give them hints upon which I have 
founded my own. 

I don't know how Mr. S. could dare to ven- 
ture upon the assertion that the many engraved 
likenesses of Shorthorns in the LTnited States 
were simply copies of the same animal ; when 




YOKE OF HALF-BRED HEREFORD STEERS, 2 YEARS 
OLD. OUT OF DEVON DAMS. 
(Favorites of \Vm. H. Sotham.) 



there are so many thousand living witnesses in 
disproof of his allegation ! and yet his admis- 
sion of a common type and common peculiari- 
ties, when so proved, are in direct establishment 
of the purity of the breed, and their great ex- 
cellence in reproducing their like with so much 



158 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



certainty. So far as you and my friend Allen 
are concerned, you can answer for yourselves. 
In conclusion, I'll give you one "proof" of 
my belief in facts. I will, at the next National 
fair, to be adjudged by the Society's judges of 
sweepstake cattle, show two heifers, bred and 
now owned by me, of the "short-horned" breed, 
one year old last November, against any two 
heifers, bred and owned by any one breeder of 
"Herefords" in America, the loser to pay the 
expenses of going and returning from the fair. 
Or, in case there are no heifers of the same age 
or near the same, I will show two 'shorthorn 
females' of any named age of my own and my 




YOUNG HEREFORDS. BRED BY T. 
CHILLICOTHE. MO. 



brother B. J. Clay's herd against any two 
*Herefords' of any two breeders in America, 
owned and bred by the same parties. 
Your obedient servant, 

C. M. Clay. 



Herd Books. P. S.— Any attempt to create 
jealousy between American and English -l^reed- 
ers, or controversy about which is the best herd 
book, the American or the English, is ridicu- 
lous. Herd books are simply general and con- 
venient registers of pedigrees, and their merit 
depends upon the fidelity and ability with which 
they are edited. Both the English and Ameri- 
can are good authority, and both needed for 
convenience; and any refusal to put pedigrees 
in either is based upon narrow views of the 
thing to be answered by 'Hierd books ;" for they 
neither give nor take away credit due to the 
authenticitv of pedigrees, further than that the 
editors are presumed to be well versed in such 
things: and that errors are more liable there 
to be corrected, and frauds to be exposed. 

C. M. C. 



THOMAS BROWN S EDITORIAL. 
WILLIAM H. SOTHAM. 

Mr. Sotham has sent us the copy of the "Mark 
Lane Express" in which his notice and critique 
of the National Agricultural Exhibition, of 
Philadelphia, is contained. With the above 
came also a letter, over his name, concerning 
"Shorthorns," containing a vast amount of 
spleen and emphatic, under-lined words and 
sentences. We are requested to publish it or 
send it back. Now, we don't think it is worth 
the attention of the public, and not worth 
preservation by Mr. Sotham; we shall there- 
fore gently drop it beyond that "bourne" whence 
no letter returns. 

Since writing the foregoing, we have received 
from the same source two other long letters for 
publication, made frightful by italics and 
threats; but they have gone the way of the 
other ! — Ohio Farmer. 

MR. KEARY's essay. 

Mr. Keary, in 1849, wrote an essay on breeds 
of cattle, favorable to Shorthorns, for the Royal 
Agricultural Society;' the Council of which 
then comprised Shorthorn breeders, who had 
much influence over that society ; much in the 
same way as they have had over the New York 
State Agricultural Society. I can vouch for the 
truth, that Mr. Lewis F. Allen and Mr. Fran- 
cis Rotch, Sen., and a few other such Short- 
horn breeders, have nominated more "judges," 
more presidents and more vice-presidents, more 
members of ex-committee, than all the rest of 
New York State people put together. The two 
former have always been very officious in these 
matters. This every one will admit who knows 
anything of the society; and I think much to 
its injury. Mr. Allen, being author of the 
Herd Book, cannot back out of what he has said 
so exultingly favorable to Shorthorns, although 
turned to a Devon breeder. 

Mr. Rotch was not satisfied in helping nomi- 
nate "judges" but assumed the responsibility 
of teaching them the "true points of excellence" 
in the different breeds; which I consider the 
most absurd stuff ever penned by a breeder, al- 
though the quality he advocated, if cellular sub- 
stance could be called quality, exactly suited 
to his own herd, giving the preference to soft, 
flabby flesh, characteristic of the very herd he 
then possessed. This was endorsed and adopted' 
by the New York State Society, and would have 
been permanently posted on the books, had not 
a few of us strongly opposed. These "points 
of excellence" died a natural death, very com- 
posedly, for I have not heard of them since 



II 1 S T K Y OF H E K E F O K D C A T TLB 



159 



their first appoaranee at the show at Saratoga, 
wiiieli I believe was tlie end of them. 

I may 1m' called "])u<rnacious," "fire and tow," 
and many hard names for saying what I do, but 
who can speak and write patiently in defence 
of Herefords with such men to encounter? I 
can be as courteous as any man with reason- 
able men to deal with ; but every impartial 
man must admit that 1 have had a certain clique 
of Shorthorn men to oppose, who were deter- 
mined to drive me out of market with the Here- 
fords. 

There are some kinds of men in the world 
whom the truth cannot reacli, and such uwn are 
most apt to accuse others of untruth unfounded- 
ly — notwith-tiinding this, I shall speak the 
truth boldl", and fear no man. The time will 
come when we shall have just and proper judges 
of men, as well as of cattle. 

When Mr. Keary wrote his "essay" for the 
R. A. S., lie found his opponent, Mr. Smythies, 
a straightforward, just man, who wrote the 
truth, and Mr. Kcary found it went home to 
liini. 1 did not keep Mr. Keary's letters in M. 
L. E., but publish the following challenges Mr. 
Smythies gave to Mr. Keary, and his last let- 
ter in reply to him, which will show about the 
w^hole of the discussion. 

EDITOniAL FROM "MARK LANE EXPRESS" 
(LOXDOX). 

Day by day we are coming to a more distinct 
classification as to a more becoming recognition 
of our several breeds of stock. Without exactly 
undertaking to assert which is really the best, 
we now give to almost every variety a fair op- 
portunity of displaying its merits and attrac- 
tions. We have for some time been gradually 
approaching this, but never so directly nor so 
decisively as during the last Smithfield Show- 
week. The admiring public is to be puzzled 
no longer, but to go methodically through every 
class or kind of animal it ever heard of. It 
is no longer Shorthorn, Hereford, and Devon 
only; but as equally defined, Sussex, Welsh, 
Scotch, and any other high-bred cattle that can 
prove to a local habitation and a name. All 
this is very good. We not only encourage our 
breeders and enlighten our visitors, but we even 
case the duties and lessen the responsibilities 
of our judges. Years back, the upright judge 
went into the yard instructed to say at once 
which was the best beast there — to pick him out 
valiantly from all sorts and sizes, thoroughbred 
or mongrel, no matter which ! He owned, per- 
haps, to some little sympathy with the Dur- 
ham, or to some slight antipathy to the Devon, 
and he decreed and got abused accordingly. 



Xow, however, he can pronounce on a Short- 
horn simply as a Shorthorn, without any of 
those invidious comparisons which so often 
ere this have brought him to grief. To be sure 
there is the gold medal still, but then a man 
who takes the first honors of his school will 
always look with some little philosophy on any 
little "mistake" his friends may fall into. 

The labours, then, of our judges are consid- 
erably facilitated, while their decisions are like 
to be freed from much of that angry discussion 
which has too often attended the publication 
of the awards. And yet, strange to say, there 
never was more difficulty in making out an 
efficient corps for such duties than there is 
just at present. Crabbe, who, whatever his mer- 
its as a poet, always wrote with wondrous truth 
and fidelity, thus describes the man we are 
looking out for: 

"He was of those whose skill assigns the prize 
For creatures fed in pens, and stalls and sties; 
And who in places where improvers meet 
To fill the land with fatness had a seat; 
Who plans encourage, and who journals keep. 
And talk with lords about a breed of sheep." 

We will not venture to say how many years 
it is since this was penned ; but this we may 
say, that the lines are far more applicable now 
than they possibly could have been when orig- 
inally composed. Where the poet had one or 




'ffiia 



^^^^f^^^^ 



LONGHORN BULL. REPRODUCED FROM YOUATT'S 
BOOK ON CATTLE. 

two such models in his eye, we have them in 
scores and hundreds. He might perhaps have 
pointed to a Bakewell or an Ellman. We turn 
at once to the list of the Royal Agricultural 
Society — some six or seven thousand strong — 
and "tick off" name after name of men who 
sit in places where improvers meet, who plan, 
encourage, journals keep, and talk with lords 



160 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



about a breed of sheep, or of horses, or of cattle, 
or of pigs. The Society would indeed seem to 
have been born to "make" such men; and as, 
no doubt, to a great extent it has done. Yet 
now it has made them it cannot use them. At 
this moment the Royal Agricultural Society has 
nothing more trying to contend with than the 
appointment of its judges. Exhibitors must 
not be judges; members of the council have 
something else to do during this busy week, 
and so we return to Mr. A and Mr. B., who have 
very often obliged us before, and will prob- 
ably be kind enough to oblige us again. 

That a certain sort of exclusiveness has had 
something to do in creating this diificulty there 




"SEVENTEEN STEER." SOLD AT CINCINNATI, 1841. 
(From an old print.) 

can be but little question. As with the Smith- 
field Club, gentlemen have duly gone the round 
of their duties, and then like Bloomfield on 
his visit to Yauxhall, 

"Why, then, they go round them again!" 

It has been Mr. A out and Mr. B in, and Mr. 
C. re-elected, until at last, should we ever get 
through our A, B, C we are fairly at our wit's 
end. We don't know what to do. We have 
been preparing no one else for the place, and 
now that it is vacant, we have nobody ready to 
take it. The only thing, of course, is an ad- 
vertisement in the papers, which we insert here, 
duly free : "Wanted, a few good judges of 
stock, etc., etc., for the ensuing meeting of 
the Royal Agricultural Society of England. 
Apply by letter or in person, at 12, Hanover- 
square." 

Once more do we ask, do tlie members gen- 
erally of the Society know their own rights 
and privileges? Are they aware, that according 
to the rules and regulations of their own body, 
they are directly requested to send in the names 
of anv of their acquaintances whom they feel 



are competent to assist in any way in the pro- 
ceedings? Could they tell us the names of a 
few gentlemen qualified to act as judges at the 
great national meetings, but who never yet have 
acted in such a capacity ? If so, as no doubt very 
many of them can, let them oblige, not us so 
much as the Members of Council, and send such 
names in on their nomination. Never mind if 
they are yet untried in so large a field. We 
have been working a little too much by line 
and rule as it is, and if we want a precedent 
of any kind here, it is that every man must 
have a beginning. So far we appear to have 
been selecting men as judges and stewards be- 
fore. Let us now extend the classes a little, 
as we do with the stock. Let it no longer be 
all Shorthorn, Hereford, and Devon, but let 
us have grace enough to name a good man for 
the office, on the very excellent showing, as 
we take it, that he never held it before. There 
is precedent even here, if we must have it. One 
or two of the very best judges ever enlisted — 
for stock or implements, we will not care which 
— never acted at all until within the last two 
or three years. 

The selection, of course, must rest with the 
Council, and it is only right they should have 
something good to select from. However much 
or little encouraged, so far, it is a duty the 
members of the Society generally owe to them- 
selves to assist in making this list out. We 
will not go quite so far as to say that every 
member reads the "Mark Lane Express." If he 
does not, however, there is the more necessity 
for his being directly invited to appreciate a 
little more demonstratively the privileges he 
enjoys. Why, there is not a man amongst us 
who does not meet, every day of his life, some 
capital judge of a horse, or Down, or an ox. 
The Council of the Society requires the services 
of this gentleman. It may be a gratifying and 
well-merited distinction to him, and it will be 
an essential advantage to them. Send up his 
name, then, by all means — and if you know of 
another as good, don't hesitate to send his, too. 
It is impossible to have too many to pick from. 

We have said that this selection is made by 
the Council; that is, by as many Members of 
Council as choose to attend any meeting ap- 
pointed for that purpose. It is sometimes as- 
serted that a large meeting cannot get through 
its business anything like so efliciently as some 
two or tliree members of it would. But this, on 
the contrary, is especially the business, if not 
of a large, of a full meeting of Council. Depute 
it to two or three, and you will have the old 
prejudie?s and precedents stronger than ever. 
Go carefully through the list in open Council, 



H I S T K Y OF H E E E F K D C A T T L E 



IGl 



and if you want a name lierc or there, you will 
be far more likely to get it from the experience 
of two or three and twenty than from two or 
three only. Let us never forget the united 
slrength of a bundle of sticks. 

JIE. SilYTIIIES' CHALLENGE. 

In 1849 Mr. Smythies gave the following 
challenge: "I will show lUO Hereford beasts, 
which were the property of Sir Francis Law- 
le}', Bart., on the 1st of January, 1849, and 
the same number which were the property of 
Mr. Aston, of Lynch Court, on the same day, 
against an equal number, the breeders of Short- 
horns or Devons in any part of Great Britain, 
on the same day, for one hundred sovereigns. 
I am willing to leave the decision to the three 
judges at the last Smithfield Show, two of 
whom art? unknown to me, even by sight." 

At the same time Mr. S. made the following 
offer: "I am ready to place four Hereford 
calves, on the 1st of May next, in the hands of 
any respectable grazier in the midland counties, 
against four Shorthorns, and four Devons; no 
calf to be more than four months old on that 
day : the twelve calves to be turned to grass 
togetlier, to have nothing but grass till the 20th 
of October following, then to Ije imt in stalls 



and to be fed as the grazier thinks proper, but 
the food to be weighed in each lot, till the fol- 
lowing May, when they shall be again turned 
to grass till the following 1st of October; then 
to be again taken into the stalls, and the food 
weighed as before; the whole to be shown as 
extra stock at the Smithfield Show, at the Ba- 
zaar, and after the show to be slaughtered, the 
four beasts that pay the best to be the winners." 

HEREFORDS FS. SHOETIIOENS AXD DEVONS. 

To the Editor of the "Mark Lane Express" : 

Sir: It was not my intention to have 
troubled you with any more letters on the sub- 
ject of Mr. Keary's essay, but his misinterpre- 
tation of my last letter is too gross to allow 
it to pass unnoticed. As to what he means by 
his assertion that my letter can have no weight 
with practical men, I do not understand. Hav- 
ing occupied fifteen hundred acres of land for 
forty years, and having purchased every beast 
on the estate myself, and every animal upon 
it having been bred under my own immediate 
direction, and the whole numagement of the es- 
tate having been conducted by me, I think I 
am as much a practical man as Mr. Keary. He 
accuses me of having hastily arrived at an er- 




OX WEIGHLVG 3,500 LBS., 



RAISED IN SANGAMON CO.. ILL.. 1834. 
(From an old print.) 



BRED FROM "SEVEXTEEN BLOOD.' 



162 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



roneous conclusion, in having accused him of 
having drawn a comparison between Short- 
horns, Devons and Herefords unfavorable to 
the latter. Yet, his essay speaks for itself. 
Does he not, in every particular, claim the pref- 
erence for his two favorite breeds; while I, on 
the contrary, declare that they are both in- 
ferior? and' I have offered to test their several 
merits and to back my opinion. Mr. Keary 
says : "My knowledge of Herefords is questioned 
because I have omitted to notice the grey ones, 
a pet sort of Mr. Smythies. I cannot call to 




"SEVENTEEN STEER." JOHN SHERMAN. 

(Bred by J. D. Gillette, Elkhart. III. Champion Chicago 

Fat Stock Show. 1878.) 

rnind having often seen many of these extra- 
ordinary greys, and Mr. Smythies admits him- 
self that after a lengthened inquiry and a great 
deal of trouble, he could only purchase four." 
Four what? Not four greys, but four of the 
pure blood of Mr. Tully's of Huntingdon. I 
think no man could mistake the meaning of my 
letter who did not do so willfully. If I Jiad 
only desired to purchase grey ones, I might, 
I suppose, have got four hundred in the time. 
Some of our best breeders had nearly all 
greys ; Mr. Jones, of Brierton, who used to 
produce as good a lot of steers as most men, 
had all grey ones for many years; and Mr. 
Ricketts, of Sarnesfield, whose herd was a very 
good one, had nearly all greys, and many other 
breeders in the county had a good many. As 
an excuse for omitting the name of Sir Francis 
Lawley as a breeder of Herefords, he said he 
did not profess to mention the names of all 
the breeders of Herefords that may be ; but still, 
it appears singular to me that he should have 
omitted the name of a breeder who not only has 
the best herd in existence at the present day, 
but the best herd of any breed. Did he do so 
with respect to either of the other breeds ? Mr. 
Keary denies that he states in his essay that 
the voung Shorthorns have rather a liberal al- 



lowance of cake, and that he only asserts that 
of the Herefords, and requests that I will refer 
to it again.' I have done so and copy the fol- 
lowing sentence from the "Journal": "From 
the time of rearing, little or no difference may 
be said to exist in the treatment of the young 
stock, between the Shorthorns and Herefords. 
Warm and well sheltered paddocks, with hovels 
or yards with open sheds, form, in both cases, 
their winter quarters, in which they are sup- 
plied with hay, roots, and, generally speaking, 
a rather liberal allowance of cake, or other 
artificial food." 

Now, sir, I confess I was stupid enough to 
consider, from this statement, that Shorthorns 
were so treated. I will leave your readers to 
determine whether or not I had a right to come 
to such a conclusion from the foregoing sen- 
tence. I denied in my letter that Herefords 
were so treated — at least, that mine were, and 
I asserted this on my word of honor as a gentle- 
man. Mr. Keary then says : "To practical men 
such statements are somewhat startling," or, in 
other words. What Mr. Smythies has stated 
is false. Never having heard Mr. Keary's name 
till I saw it at the end of this essay, I have no 
means of knowing in what society he may have 
been brought up, but I beg to inform him that 
the men with whom I have passed my life 
hold such an assertion as I have made above 
as sacred as the most solemn oath. It is very 
difficult to prove a negative, but the doubt 
which Mr. Keary has attemjited to throw on 
my veracity renders the endeavor to do so im- 
perative. If Mr. Keary will do me the favor 
to accompany me into Herefordshire, I will 
bring before him men who have worked on 
my farm for many years, some ever since I oc- 
cupied it. I will produce two of my bailiffs 
who lived with me nine or ten years each, and 
one twenty-three years. He shall also see the 
men who looked after my cattle; he shall also 
see a variety of men who have worked on the 
farm at various periods, and who were dis- 
charged, and who are not likely to make any 
false statements in my favor ; and if he can 
find any one man who can prove that he ever 
saw an oil cake on my estate during the time 
I occupied it, excepting the year mentioned in 
my former letter, or ever saw any lot of steers 
of mine eating cake, corn, seeds, meal, or any 
artificial food whatever, I will present him with 
a hundred sovereigns and pay all his expenses. 
I beg also to refer him to Mr. Rusbridger, the 
Duke of Richmond's bailiff; to Mr. Rowland, 
of Creslow, one of the largest graziers in Eng- 
land ; to Mr. Senier, of Broughton House, near 
Aylesbury; to Mr. Druce, of Ensham; to Mr. 



Ji I S 'i' IM' F 1 1 E l{ E F K I) C A T T L E 



163 



Williiini TriiKler, of Waiiliige; to Mr. Baik'y, 
nf'iir W'oht'rtoii, and to a variety of other 
pjraziehs who hnvc houj^ht my steers, wliether, 
tt-licii they jnit tliein into tiie stfilJH to feed, they 
tdolt to cal<e lis if thev hud been accustomed 
to it; 

i think, sir, I have offered sueli proof of tlic 
truth of my jstritcnicut as must satisfy tiie mind 
of any unprejudiced riiilti, and if I have not 
satislieil Mr. Kearv. whicii i thinlt not unliively, 
for ^ 

'■A man convinced against his will, 
Holds the same opinion still," 

I shall be ^^hld to give any ftirther proof that 
the nature of tlie ease rtdmits of, if he will be 
so fjood as to point it out. 

Mr. Iveary goes on to say that he has learned 
that tjie j)raotice of treating young cattle as 
he has described was extensively, if not imi- 
versally, used. The best steers at Hereford fair 
were usually found in the show yard. When 1 
Was a mendjer of the Herefordshire Agricul- 
tural Society, all aninuils exhibited for their 
prizes were restricted from having ca]<e or corn, 
and no person could become a candidate for a 
prize without first signing a certificate that the 
animal exhibited by him liad not eaten calvC, 
corn, seeds, meal, or any artificial food what- 
soever. One thing is certain, that if tliose per- 
sons who have been in the habit of showing 
their stock there have told Mr. Keary that their 
steers were fed as he says they were, they must 
have stated what was not correct in one in- 
stance, for they cannot both be true. I have 
obtained many prizes tliere, and I always had 
to sign such a certificate. 

Mr. K. seems very indignant at my accusing 
him of knowing but little of Hereford cattle. 
I was willing to attribute his unfair comparison 
to ignorance from which, indeed, I really 
thought it did arise ; but if he wishes to have 
it considered willful misrepresentation, I can 
have no objection ; he is welcome to place him- 
self upon which horn of the dilemma he likes 
best. 

Another striking instance of jMr. K.'s per- 
version of the meaning of my letter I cannot 
pass over. He says that though I bred seventy 
a year for a long period, I never had but one 
good niilkinff cow ! ! Does the sentence in my 
letter to which he alludes convey any such 
meaning? H is this: "I have seen Hereford 
cows milk well, and had one myself that made 
eleven pounds of butter a week for three 
months." Does that imply that I had but one 
good milker? \Yas that any reason to infer 
that I might not have had a hundred good milk- 
ers? It is true that from this sentence it might 



ix! inferred that 1 iiad only one that would 
make eleven pounds of butter a week, but I 
might have had any quantity that would have 
made seven or eight ; but to exemplify the argu- 
ment I was using, I selected the strongest in- 
stance that had occurred in my herd. 

He also adds that I admit it takes several 
months longer to make up a Hereford than it 
does a Shorthorn. I fancy he is the only man 
who road my letter that did not perceive that 
that was a sarcasm on his assertion, which I 
clearly showed my disbelief of by offering to 
place four Herefords in competition with four 
Shorthorns, to be slaughtered at two years old. 

1 will only allude to one more instance of 
gross perversion of the meaning of my letter. 
Mr. Keary says, "With Mr. Smythies' challenge 
I can have nothing to do." In this wise decision 
he shows his creed. The prudence of the York- 
shireman is quite apparent in refusing to ac- 
cept a challenge, which he knows he must lose 
if he accepts. But the way in which he evades 
it is most to be noticed. He says it is im- 
practicable ; he knows no Shorthorn breeder who 
breeds a hundred steer calves in a year. Nor 
I, either, nor of any other breed, and I would 
ask, is there any other nmn in the United King- 
dom who has read my letter, besides Mr. Keary, 
who imagined that I had challenged him to 
show a hundred 
steers bred by one 
man in one year? 
What are the 
words of my let- 
ter? "I will show 
one h u n d r e d 
Hereford hcasts 
that were the 
property of Sir 
Francis Lawley, 
on the 1st of Jan- 
itary, 1849, and 
the same number 
that were the 
property of Mr. 
Aston, Lynch 
Court, on the 
same day, against 
the same number that were the property of any 
two breeders of Shorthorns or Devons on the 
same day in any part of Great Britain." Is it not 
clear that I meant the general breeding stock 
u]ion their farms? He then adds, "His next 
challenge is equally difficult to carry out impar- 
tially and fairly." What, sir, is there no grazier 
in the midland counties to be found with suffi- 
cient honesty to try this experiment? I could 
name twenty mvself who would do it. I am the 




WM. POWELL. CHANNING. 

TEX., FORMERLY OF 

BEECHER, ILL. 



lU 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD C A T T L E 



advocate of truth, and therefore court investiga- 
tion; I have nothing to conceal, and therefore 
have no occasion to put false interpretations 
upon passages as clear as the sun at noon, nor 
to make use of subterfuges of any sort. As to 
the boasted superiority of the Shorthorns, let 
us see what the past says. If Mr. Keary will 
search the records of the Smithfield Club, I 
think he will find the Herefords have taken 
away more prizes than his favorite Shorthorns, 
and five times as many as the Devons. Mr. 
Westcar sold twenty Hereford oxen for two 
thousand one hundred and fifty odd pounds. I 




•'CjUiiiOX OK ATHENS" AND CALF. ".MY M A li VLA.Nl l. " 
(Bred by John Merryman, Cockeysville, Md.) 

once stated this fact in a letter in the "Farm- 
ers' Journal," which statement was ridiculed 
,in a letter the following week, written by Mr. 
Henry Berry [Youatt's authority. T. L. M.], 
who was a great advocate for the supremacy of 
Shorthorns, as a perfect impossibility. A few 
days after his letter appeared I received one 
from a gentleman staying at Creslow, contain- 
ing an extract from Mr. Westear's books, giv- 
ing the date of the sale, the name of the butcher 
they were sold to, and the sum paid for them, 
amounting, together, to the sum I have men- 
tioned. Six of them were sold in one deal to 
Mr. Giblet, of Bond street, for six hundred 
pounds. Have twenty Shorthorn bullocks ever 
sold for two-thirds of the money? So much 
for the past. As to the future, I am ready and 
willing to test the respective merits of these 
three breeds in any way Mr. Keary will point 
out. I only wish it to be clearly ascertained 
which are the most useful beasts. I am con- 
vinced in my own mind that no animal of anv 
description can be fatted on the common vege- 
table produce of a farm so soon, or brought to 
such perfection on grass, hay and roots only, 
as a Hereford, and this appears to me to be 
the great desideratum at the present day, that 
we should he able to convert the vegetable pro- 



duce of our farms into animal matter at the 
greatest advantage, and that we should not have 
to go to the foreigner to buy oil cake to feed 
our beasts when we have enough at home to feed 
them with if we select the proper animal. 1 know 
it is a notion amongst Shorthorn breeders thai 
oxen cannot be fatted without corn or cake. I 
once showed a fat cow at Bath, and won the 
prize with her, and sold her to Mr. Hale, the 
celebrated butcher in that town, who told me 
she was the fattest animal he had ever seen. 
1 had given in a certificate that she had been 
fed on grass, hay and roots only. Some people 
who saw her thought it impossible she could 
have been so fed, and somebody, just before the 
judges entered the yard, threw some oil cake 
into the manger before her, in hopes the judges 
might see her eating it. This I was told by 
one of the judges when he came out of the yard, 
and he added, she evidently had never seen 
such a thing before, for she took no notice of it ; 
we tried her competitors with it, and they ate 
it up in a minute. So convinced am I of the 
decided superiority of Hereford cattle for feed- 
ing purposes over any others, that I am most 
anxious to see them brought fairly into com- 
l)etition, and whenever they are so, honestly and 
iionorably. If the "Journal" committee of the 
Koyal English Agricultural Society wish to act 
fairly, they ought to publish my letters, that 
the poison and the antidote may travel together, 
and let the world determine who is right. I 
have done nothing underhand, or in secret; I 
have referred you by name to many most re- 
spectable men. If I have stated one syllable 
that is not true, I have afforded you every means 
of detecting me; if, therefore, you fail to do 
so, I have a right to claim from my agricul- 
tural brethren an implicit reliance on the trutli 
of my statements. Regretting that I have oc- 
cupied so much of your valuable paper, 
I remain your obedient servant, 

J. R. Smythies, (H 78) 
Grey Friars, Colchester, Feb. 16. 



I wrote to Mr. Thomas Brown, editor of the 
"Ohio Farmer," to find out the clandestine man 
who signed himself "Agricola," who wrote on 
"in-ancl-in breeding," etc., as I considered the 
remarks he nmde on that subject doing much 
injury to tlie public. His assertions on other 
points seemed to me truly ridiculous, and that 
a common sense, editor would refuse to publish 
such stuff. His teachings on breeding, his 
Shorthorn puffing, and his writing anonymous- 
Iv, condemned him in my estimation. I never 
knew a ni;in (who is a man) ashamed to own 



IIISToIfY OF II KIM': FORD CATTLE 



IGl 



Ills own productions. The fcillDwiii;;- «ms Mr. 
Hi^own's ri']ily : 

Clcvrhind, .Vpril ■>:'>, ISoii. 
My Doar Sir: 

1 do not tluni< tlit-rc i.s any special danger 
ol" my being seriously used by Mr. Alleiv. I 
know your alarm is honest, and your cautions 
well meant, ami 1 therefore thank you for your 
letter. "Agricola" is not Mr. Allen, and I 
don"t know that Allen ever met him. He is one 
of the "oldest breeders in America," a D. D. 
and LL. D., whose fame is as wide as the earth. 
He is now president of a flourishing theological 
college and professor of Biblical Literature — 
and is none other than the Rev. Robert J. 
Breckenridge, of Lexington, Ky. Are you sat- 
isfied on this point? Keep it to yourself. 

I have just received a good article from Aston 
on Herefords. I mean to do you and your Here- 
fords full justice, but I must be permitted to 
take my own time and way to do it. I am 
obliged to you for any advice, and reproof, even, 
given in kindness. I desire, too, to continue on 
friendly relations with you. 
I am, very truly. 

Your friend, 

Tiios. Brown. 

I wrote Mr. Brown that this was the first I 
had ever heard of the Rev. Robt. J. Brecken- 
ridge, and that it was high time he declined to 
give instructions to breeders. If Mr. Brown"s 
e.vlraragant encomium of the man had gone 
still further, and he had said this famed Mr. 
Breckenridge had been known beyond "the 
earth," I should have believed it quite as read- 
ily as many other assertions made by him and 
his correspondents on Shorthorns; but I do and 
always shall believe that neither of these as- 
sumed writers on breeds of cattle knew how 
much mischief he was doing the community by 
advising "sire to daughter and continue it."' 
One of these noted writers and breeders, to my 
knowledge, has bred blind calves, calves void 
of symmetry and quality, calves minus their 
legitimate power of reproducing, calves with 
long pedigrees, and who has not gone near so 
far into the "in-and-in" system as he recom- 
mends others to breed, and at the time he talks 
of "CoUing's successful in-and-in breeding in 
Shorthorns ; the long Scotch coat was produced 
in them, the origin of which no man can dis- 
j)ute who knows both breeds." Here is a mys- 
tery that ought to be solved and who is more 
capable of doing it than the man "whose fame 
is as wide as the earth?" — a man anxious for 
notoriety as a breeder and dictator, a man care- 
ful and kind to his "flock and herd," a man who 
advocates truth, purity, morality, honesty, jus- 



tice, one who loves his country. I say again, 
there can Ije no better man to solve this mysterv 
than this intelligent and learned divine, upheld 
and supported by his one-sided editor and con- 
temporary, who is so well versed in the im- 
provement of his country, and in the protec- 
tion of his pet correspondents. This same one- 
sided editor speaks of my letters being "made 
frightful by underlining." Mark the letter 
above, that his readers may "learn and inwardly 
digest." This is a wide world to live in, and the 
people are diversified. Some feel "warm when 
they have seen the fire," and are satisfied with 
the comfort such a blessing bestows. Others, 
with more extravagant ideas, heedlessly clench 
the flames, and if a man will put his hand in 
the fire he must expect to get scorched. Ed- 
itors may, in their ignorance, madness or self- 
conceit, commit truth to the flames, but can 
never destroy; it will, pha?nix-like, rise again 
from its ashes, to teach such vain editors de- 
cency and justice. One-sided editors will fre- 
quently add brighter coloring to glaring un- 
truths from a favored correspondent, while his 
opponent is repulsed with editorial jiower, in 
forbidding entrance to his columns what he 
knows to be true. But truth will out — nothing 
can suppress it. The editor of the "Ohio Farm- 
er" will sooner or later find out that "two heads 
are better than one, if one is a sheep's head." 



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"DOLLY VARDEN" (V. a, p. ZTi) 5. 
(Bred by J. .Morris. Madley, Eng.) 

I did not see Jfr. Aston's "good article on 
Herefords," of which Mr. Brown speaks, nor 
do I believe it ever appeared. It was in answer 
to C. M. Clay, therefore, I suppose it was too 
"powerful" for Shorthorn breeders, and was 
committed "gently" to the flames, from whence, 
he thinks, such articles never return. 

I have been accused of "untruth" unfounded- 
ly by an editor before this, and my accuser had 
fairly been convicted of perjury ; nothing saved 
him from a prisoner's cell but money, untruths. 



1C6 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



and a flaw iu tlie indictment.; but this sanu' 
editor is now reformed, and, 1 see, strongly ad- 
vocating morality. I glory in his wisdom, and 
therefore freely forgive him. If I am "pug- 
nacious," unclassical, severe, and forbidding, as 
my opponents choose to characterize me, I can 
forgive. Nor do I consider publishing Mr. 
Brown's article a breach of trust, after his con- 
duct to me. 

* * * 

EDITOliS AN'D- JUDGES. 

There is nothing more important to the agri- 
cultural community than just and good judges. 
Nor is there any true evidence of a man's being 
a good judge of cattle because he lives in a 
large, expensive house, and gives high prices 
for imported stock. Such men, if reported rich, 
are very apt to be looked up to for this depart- 
ment — many of which are very fearful of soil- 
ing their hands and their clothes, frequently 
handle cattle with their gloves on; some of 
kid and others of a different material. Such 
men generally consider such labor beneath their 
dignity, while practical men leave not a single 
point unexamined, making their hands and 
their eyes guide them to a just decision. Such 
men will not be swayed from the true points 
of an animal by prejudice, favor or aristocratic 



influential men, but will give the animal its due 
without reference to its owner. All societies 
will be a curse to the country until such men 
are nominated. 

In the present course of things, a costly ani- 
mal, say a "five thousand dollar one," must be 
the best, because he costs so much, when good, 
unbiased judgment would probably pronounce 
him in second or third class. 

There is no lack of disiilay in portraits and 
publications, and these enormous prices quickly 
go the rounds. Editors of agricultural papers 
are generally too anxious to "obtain first"' such 
exciting articles, and are very jealous of others 
who "copy from them without credit." Neithei' 
do they forget to flatter and feed the vanity 
of those extravagant purchasers, many of whom 
never see the animals until they arrive home, 
spurring them on to this destructive mania, and 
when such prices are given without judgment 
or discussion, it is a ruinous principle. 

Most judges are apt to select animals for 
prizes from their "important" puffed charac- 
ter, made public by editors, who had probably 
been well paid for their putting — rather than 
trusting to their own judgment, and frequently 
listen to these dictates as settled facts without 
consideration. The owner, too, is an important 
man, and frequently money only has made him 




HEREKORDS ON THE PLAINS OF COLORADO. 
(Krom a photograph taken in the spring, after a hard winter.) 



11 I S 'J' 1{ Y () 1-' H E K i: FORD CATTLE 



1G7 



so. Editors have pulfud his cattle — puffed his 
niaiiagemeiit as a breeder — courting an equality 
to his exalted society, and to obtain a golden 
fee, he knowing at the same time the true credit 
belonged to bis agents. By this means some 
editors are maiie notorious, tiieir pajjcrs popu- 
lar, tiieir judgment consulted, and frequently 
put on as judges of cattle, some of which find 
dithculty in distinguishing the different breeds, 
witiiout "guessing"' and inquiring. Still they 
can write about these breeds with as much con- 
lidenee as the best judges. 

Tlu'se editors may cidl me "pugnacious," but 
they know my statements are true, and there- 
fore they may poke their editorials at me to 
suit themselves, if they are only sufficiently 
manly to send me a copy and allow me to an- 
swer them; if not, it is no better principle 
than stabbing a man in the dark. I think it 
will benefit tiie community if they are "re- 
proved in kindness." 

Tliere are many editors truly good fellows, 
if tiiey did not assume to be judges of cattle. 
Many remarks they make on this subject are 
truly ridiculous. 

Jt is very gratifying to receive "visits" from 
many of them if the more vain would not tell 
the ])ubllc how kindly they had been treated by 
great men, in what kind of carriage they had 
Ijeen drawn to such breeders' mansions; how 
upright and stately they sit in that carriage, 
ruMiiimting over the "big" words that should 
compose their description and flattery; not for- 
getting to tell such a man what advantage and 
favor it was to have such puffs in their col- 
umns. 

Some editors are even weak enough to tell 
what they had for dinner, and even add to this 
the enormous size of the beautiful Tom Turkey 
])resented to them to carry home for another 
"luxurious meal." My readers who have read 
agricultural papers must admit all this to be 
true, and they must further admit that a mod- 
erate Ijreeder who understands his business 
])ractically, lives in a moderate house, with mod- 
erate ideas, and possessing substantial judg- 
ment, is very seldom noticed, but more fre- 
([uently avoided and unjustly repulsed. To be 
the guest of an honest, plain farmer would not 
be etiquette, if he lived in a plain house. Such 
cilitors as the '"Ohio Farmer" would deem him 
beneath his dignity and unworthy of an edi- 
torial renuirk if he had not a fine pair of mules 
or a splendid pair of horses to ride behind, 
seated in an aristocratic carriage for the purpose 
of taking his ol)servations; a Tom Turkey, how- 
ever fat, however "enormously" lieavy, would 
scarcely be considered a present, while that of 



the reported great man's would be puffed and 
stuffed with "enormous extravagance." 

Such is the way of the world, and we are 
compelled to succumb to it as long as such ed- 
itors as that of the "Ohio Farmer", "has his own 
way," and is allowed to burn up a proper an- 
swer, 1 suppose he is lord of all he surveys 
when he beholds the whole of his paper, and 
therefore has power to forbid. 

There are many agricultural editors who re- 
quire more substantial judgment; more inde- 
pendence of character; more sound investiga- 
tion into the numerous articles they publish, 
and although some of them are willing to treat 
both sides of the question fairly, every one must 
admit there is a vast deal of cattle trash pub- 
lished only for the want of better judgment to 
guide them. 

A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE •"OHIO 
FARMER." 

Owego, X. Y., Jan. 17, "57. 
Thos. Brown, Esq. : 

Sir: A friend has sent me j'our paper to- 
day, containing Mr. C. M. Clay's letter, from 
which I see you have previously copied mine 
from the "Mark Lane Express."' If you [lublish 
the v!hole of that letter, I am satisfied. 

If you publish 
my letters just us 
I irrite them 1 
will meet Mr. Clay 
or any other per- 
son on that sub- 
ject. "All I ask 
is a fair field and 
no favor." It is 
very easy to say 
and to print that 
another tells an 
"untruth," but it 
is more difficult 
to prove it, nor 
can I believe it 
gentlemanly to 
say so without 
proof. When Mr. 

Clay or any other person proves an "untruth" 
in any of my letters they are at liberty to con- 
demn me as one of "low degree," "low bred," 
"third-class quality," and "no breeder." I will 
then retire from the field di.sgusted with my 
own actions. 

On the other hand. I am perfectly willing to 
admit all that Mr. Clay says as a "gentleman,"" 
Ijut I cannot agree with him in opinion, nor in 
his judgment on cattle, however long he may 
have been a dealer or a breeder. 




HOX. J. \V. PROWERS, 
WEST LAS A.N'LMAS. COLO. 



168 



H 1 S T O K Y OF H E E E F R D CATTLE 



There is but one true standard of quality, 
symmetry, weight, etc., and he who differs from 
that is no judge. 

I honor the name of "Clay" as highly as any 
other man, and I regret that I made the mis- 
take of calling Mr. Brutus Clay's Mr. Cassius 
M. Clay's. I fully understood that it was C. 
M. C. that took the prizes at Springfield. I 
therefore transfer the remarks I made upon 
that herd to where they belong, and will fully 
maintain all I have said in answer to C. M. C. 
When we have both had a fair trial, I will leave 
to the public, whose just opinion has most 
weight in the scale of true judgment. 




HEREFORDS BRED BY THE REYNOLDS LAND & CAT.- 
TLE CO.. CHANNING, TEX. 

My desire is to tost this matter honestly, 
and fear no man. 

If you publish this, T will accept Messrs. C. 
and B.'s challenge in a fair way in another 
communication. If not, I shall answer him in 
other papers. 

I send you another letter from the "Mark 
Lane Express," for your perusal and publica- 
tion. )'/' you choose 

I am, sir, Your humble servant, 

Wm. Hy. Sothaji. 

MR. S0TIIAM'.S answer AND ACCEPTANCE OF 

c. M. clay's challenge. 

Owego, Tioga Co.. N. Y.. Jan. 25, 1857. 

Mr. Editor: In reply to Mr. Cassius M. 
Clay's letter. He says, "The word of a man is 
no more worthy of credit because he may go be- 
fore a magistrate and make oath to the same." 
I fully endorse this, Mr. Editor, and will say 
still further : a man who is over-anxious to take 
such a course is less likely to be believed and 
trusted. 

I take it for granted (inside the rules of 
gentlemen) that Mr. Clay had no self-interest 



in Shorthorns, but has more of it in Mr. 
Brown's invitation to write for his paper. The 
half of "Locomotive," and the whole of that 
"robust family of Shorthorns"; the former 
"beating the world," and the latter as good as 
can be found in it, can have no "exciting inter- 
est" to their owner, nor can there be the least 
sign of "elevation" towards these valuable ani- 
mals by such expressions from Mr. Clay. He 
having "seZ/'-possession," "seZ/-control," and an 
"amiable disposition" — rests composed and con- 
tented with the increase as it surrounds him — 
(enviable position this !) He needs no demand, 
has no desire to attract a man in the "habit" 
of giving "high prices," or taking advantage of 
his "amiable weakness." Mr. Clay has no such 
intentions, his only "liabit," object, and setf- 
interest is in writing for the Ohio Fanner, and 
Mr. C. seems to think "that a Mr. Sotham will 
'find out' these profitable advantages in time, 
when the public become more familiar with 
his character." I must say, Mr. Clay, that I 
have no desire for this public "estimate," and 
rather your "sc/Z-interest" would rest where it 
is. Neither have I any desire to excite high, 
artificial prices in Herefords. I always sold 
at reasonable ones, and it is still my wish to 
do so. 

Xow, Mr. Clay, I see plainly by your letters, 
you consider yourself a judge of cattle. Y'ou 
have studied it practically, therefore you must 
know that the herd that takes most prizes is 
not always the best ; neither are the judges vi'ho 
award those prizes. Excellent proof of this 
was shown at Springfield, which every practical 
judge must candidly admit. I met a Short- 
horn breeder, whom I am well aware ranks "in- 
side the rules of gentlemen," and who openly 
confessed that Shorthorns there were miserablv 
lacking in quality, nor did he attempt to hide 
the remarks from some of his own herd. A 
white heifer belonging to Mr. Duncan was de- 
cidedly the best female in that class and the 
best in her own. There was another red and 
white heifer that compared well with her, still 
these two were beaten by one as hard and as 
tight as flesh could be forced upon her — third- 
class of the lowest kind. The white heifer went 
home prizeless, and, in my opinion, reflecting 
much animal or "amiable weakness" on the ma- 
jority of the judges. Hence, my minor report. 
I have too much regard for my associates to 
believe for a moment there was any self-interest 
in this decision, for I feel assured they came 
inside " the rules of gentlemen." 

Mr. Clay says that breeders of Shorthorns do 
not deem it necessary to attack other breeds in 
order to elevate their own, and further says, 



HISTORY OF HEREFOKD CATTLE 



169 



"the best judges 1 have heard speak upon the 
subjeet regard the Herel'ords as not a pure 
breed, and if they were 1 have all the less fancy 
for them." This remarkable injustice; this 
hearsay ; this fancy ; this self-contradiction, is it 
not untruth? Mr. Clay, I will not have it so; 
neither will I deem it self-interest, if I am con- 
sidered by the public "to step outside the rules 
of gentlemen."' 1 cannot help it — I must say 
it is your amiable weakness to vindicate history. 
Notwithstanding this, your opinion is the same 
opinion still. Your robust family is the same 
and may still be the best in the world under the 
same opinion. Durhams may still be the best 
breed of cattle, and Locomotive, who took the 
first premium against the world, is still Loco- 
motive if his weight has kept such steam pres- 
sure from his becoming too exaltingly elevated. 
So the world goes — we are all entitled to an 
opinion, and many of them will be remembered 
as long as they remain in print. 

Again, Mr. Clay says: "As to the Here fords, 
I have nothing to say, for or against them, ex- 



Show at Birmingham ; he will there find the 
Herefords stood far superior to any other breed 
classes at that exhibition. Mr. Clay did not 
mean to pull down the Herefords by these re- 
marks, I know he did not. He had previously 
said it was not necessary, and he w'ould have 
studied the facts in the case before he had ven- 
tured to attempt it, though I cannot help think- 
ing there is a little amiable weakness in this 
mistake to vindicate history. 

As to the animal likenesses. Did Mr. Clay 
ever see one of Mr. Page's bull portraits on 
paper show hollow crops? On the contrary, 
did Mr. Clay ever see the original except New 
Year's Day and Balco with full crops? There 
may be more in these two questions than Mr. 
C. imagines, and I would advise him to con- 
sider before he answers them in the name of an 
old breeder. I have something further to say 
on this important subject hereafter. 

I have now to acknowledge the proof of Mr. 
C.'s cow weighing 2,020 lbs., and also his own 
assertions that no Hereford in .\merica could 




MEDAL OF THE CENTENNIAL AT PHILADELPHIA, 1876, AWARDED TO T. L. MILLER. 



cept they have never in public opinion risen 
to the rank of contending for the sujiremacy." 
Can such an assertion as this come from the 
pen of an old breeder and dealer? 

They have beaten the Shorthorns five times 
out of eight, when each were contending for 
supremacy, under the most adverse circum- 
stances, and influential nobility on the other 
side. I refer, ^Ir. Clay, to the annals of the 
Smithfield and Birmingham Clubs from their 
l)eginning for an endorsement of this fact. 1 
also refer him to the report of the "Mark Lane 
Express" of December l.'ith, of this Cliristmas 



weigh as heavy, or realize as much as $140. I 
have bred more than twenty cows that would 
beat her, myself, under the same circumstances, 
and to confirm "my opinion" I sold to Mr. 
Bennett, the noted salesman at Brighton (who 
almost every dealer knows), a' Hereford cow 
that weighed on the railroad scales at Albanv 
2,.31.S lbs., and when in Brighton 2,267 
Ills.; Mr, B. gave me $150 cash for her; I 
also sold him a half-bred Hereford and Short- 
liorn cow, a very superior animal, she weighed 
somewhat lighter, and sold for less money. The 
Hereford was milked once a dav until August 



170 



}1 1 S T K Y OF H E K E F R D CATTLE 



1st. when she became dry. I kept her on a 
good bite of grass, on a light sandy soil, as 
long as the grass lasted, then put her up to feed. 
She was rconomirally fed (and not ".stuffed") 
until the last of .March, when I started to Bos- 
ton with her. 

This was the e.xtent of her feeding. 

I will now for a finality, propose to meet Mr. 
Chiy's "challenge" in a fair way; I have two 
heifer calves, "Prudence,"' calved August 29, 
1856; "Woodlark," calved September 30, 1856. 
These are all I have left this season. They ran 
with their dams as long as ai\y grass ; when the 
cows came to winter quarters, they were allowed 




'JH24 



HEREFORD. SHORTHORN. 

(The thickness of Hereford and Shorthorn roasts compared. 
Actual photograph of roasts from Hereford and Short- 
horn bullocks dressed at Chicago Fat Stock Show. 1879, 
showed Hereford 33 1-3 per cent thicker than the Short- 
horn.) 

to suck their dams once a day; about the 30th 
of December they were taken away, and now 
live on oat chaff and cut cornstalks, mi.xed with 
about a pint of oatmeal each per day, mixed 
with their chaff, one common sized rutabaga 
])er day, cut up between them regular, and are 
ill growing store order, as I do not believe in 
forcing calves ; as spring and warm weather 
approaches I shall increase the roots, and keep 
to about the same quantity of oatmeal. These 
calves shall be turned to grass in the spring, 
until next fall, when I will bring them with 
me to Kentucky, at the National Show, place 
them in any honest Kentucky grazier's hands, 
against any two heifer calves now owned by 
Cassius M. Clay, or Brutus J. Clay, of a similar 
age ; if they have not any exactly the same age, 
a few months difference must be allowed for 
accordingly. The four calves shall be weighed 
when delivered to the receiver, the feed to be 
weighed the whole year, and at the end of it 
all four of them again weighed. The following 
year shall he pursued with the same treatment ; 
coming in at three, again at four years old. 
They shall be milked both seasons, each as long 
as she will hold out in milking under the just 
and economical management of their receiver; 
the butter regularly weighed, and disposed of 



by him, he reporting quality and giving a just 
account at different times, as he deems right. 
At the end of this trial they will be iive years 
old ; they shall be fed for one year, or two, as 
agreed upon, the two heifers that make the most 
butter and most beef, for the food consumed, 
to be the winners. The quality of beef at the 
"block" to be taken into consideration. Each 
pair of heifers to be charged with what they 
eat, of each kind of feed, all living on the same, 
and allowing them a good and sufficient 
grazier's quantity through the whole trial, the 
losing heifers to be forfeited to receiver, to pay 
expenses. Pedigrees of heifers to be given at 
the time of delivery. There are plenty of men 
in Kentucky that will act fairly between us. 

One more question, Mr. Clay, and I have 
done for this time. Did you ever see a "Dur- 
ham," "Shorthorn," or "Teeswater" with a 
"long, silky coat" that you would "venture" as 
a breeder to pronounce "thoroughbred?" I will 
"venture" to assert that kind of coat is de- 
scended from the Scots. The original "Dur- 
hams" have no claim to it, or ever possessed it; 
so say all the old breeders in England with 
whom I am acquainted, and they are not a few. 
Most of them speak from knowledge descended 
from their ancestors. Every effort "Short- 
horn" men have made to contradict this charge 
has created a stronger desire in me to believe 
it and that it was bred into them clandestinely. 
I have every reason to believe the noted Hub- 
back was half Scotch, no "proof" has ever been 
shown to the contrary, but the more breeders 
try to Idde this plausible "history" of him, the 
more likely to be true. 

I hope Mr. Clay's next letter will contain 
more practical teaching, and I heartily wish 
him .success, though we differ widely in 
"opinion." 

I am, etc.. 

W>r. Hy. Sotham. 

\VM. HY. SOTHAM's LETTER TO B. V. JOHNSON, 
ESQ. 

Secretary New York Agr. Society. 

Owego, N. Y., Aug. 15, 1855. 
B. P. Johnson, Esq. : 

Sir : As you have undertaken to write an un- 
called-for article in your "New York State 
Journal" of that Society, placing the Short- 
horns predominate in your opinion, in value, 
weight, early maturity, etc., I think you have 
done great injustice to the Society. No such 
body has the right to endorse the opinion of any 
man, without his producing the weight of each 
breed satisfactorily, and prices sold for to the 



1 1 I 8 T () i; Y OF H E K E F (H{ i) C A T T L E 



171 



butc'liprs, also the facts of their early maturity. 
You, as editor of that '■Journal,'" ought to be 
extri'inely cautious how you advance your opin- 
ion, extolling' any one breed over another; it is 
a ruinous, scKisli ])rineii)k' for sueh a Society to 
ado]it. Such oi)inions adopted by the Society 
are pull's unfounded, and very injurious and 
destructive to all connected with them. 

The Hereford breed is the only one that has ' 
taken first prizes at Smithfield and Birming- 
ham Shows at two years old. They have done 
this three times, proof of which you can find 
by referring to the record of each club. The 
Shorthorns have never won a prize younger than 
three, and if you refer back to the records you 
will not only find one at that age; they are 
generally four and upwards. 

You arc the first man who dare risk his repu- 
tation in jirint that Shorthorns are uniform in 
(lualily. 1 will defy you to refer me to a just 
breeder of Shorthorns who will admit this. 
They knoir better, but prefer being silent on 
the subject. It is those who are ignorant of the 
facts, and wish to make themselves notorious 
who advance such opinions, and it is by this 
abominable system that the Shorthorns have ob- 
tained their assured notorietv, and called "first 
class." 

Societies, especially those of the Empire 
State, ought to be impartial and give all breeds 
an equal chance, if members of that Society 
are expected to look up to its superior officers 
for examjde it is very important that those of- 
ficers are upright and just men. 

\ow, ^[r. Johnson, I ask you (as I know you 
to lie an honest and just man) whether you 
know a herd of Shorthorns uniform in quality? 
No breed on earth varies more in this respect. 
I have seen first, second and third quality in 
one herd, and that of puffed notoriety. I have 
never seen a herd of Shorthorns (and I have 
seen a great many, both in England and this 
country) vvitliout two qualities, and those fre- 
(piently of second and third. 

As yoit have decided for the Society that 
Shorthorns are best, and Ilerefords are second. 
it is high time we show outside the gate, and 
challenge to show the Shorthorns inside, as we 
are there forbidden to show by the remarks ad- 
vanced by the secretary of that Society, nor can 
Ilerefords ever succumb to Shorthorns, when 
we have sbamefidly beaten them in England 
under the most adverse circumstances and by 
the best judges. 

1 send you an extract from ATr. R. Rowland's 
letter to me, dated March 13, 18.5.5, giving 
weights of Herefords and prices .sold to the 
butchers. When you can honorably beat theiri, 



you are at liberty to state all the particulars 
in your "Journal." 

Hereford breeders challenge you to do so, and 
until you can do so truthfully we shall consider 
our breed triumphant in reality. 

Richard Rowland, Esq., and successor to the 
well-known Jlr. W'estear, writes me as follows: 

"1 will add the prices of some of Mr. West- 
car's oxen. The weights I do not know, ex- 
cept in a few cases. I was an exhibitor for 
some years after I came here and took three 
prizes with Hereford oxen, which weighed from 
<J90 to 270 stone, eight pounds to the stone — 
these were the four quarters — [that means dead 
weight, or 4,000 to 3,800 lbs. live weight, T. L. 
M.], and that is about the weight Mr. Westcar's 
large oxen reached. I have shown for numy 
years, but have now left off. Shorthorn men 
in the aristocracy always ruled at Smithfield, 
and Hereford feeders are very tenacious of feed- 
ing there on that account, but the prize Short- 
horns that win there (as you have seen) go to 
Birmingham, and get fairly beaten by Here- 
fords where no favor is shown to breeds of any 
kind ; they are there governed by true merit." 

Now, Mr. Jolmson, if you wdll give a prize 
for the six heaviest breeding cows of any breed 
from one breeder, fed on hay, roots and pasture 
only, I will be an exhdiitor for that prize ; the 

scales will 

then be the 
only judge 
w anted. I 
will also show 
the same six 
cows for qual- 
it}' — also for 
butter, sepa- 
rately. Now, 
sir, you have a 
chance of 
proving all 
you have said 
so highly fa- 
vorable to 
S horthorns John d. gillette. elkhart. ill. 

and you must 

admit that the course you liave taken in puffing 
them in our "State Journal" will tend to bring 
the Society into disrepute. Every judge the So- 
ciety selects reads these puffs and many of them 
are much guided by them in their decisions. 

Your remarks on Mr. L. ('. Morris's bulls, 
Balco and Marquis of Carabus, extolling both 
bulls to the highest pitch of eminence (in your 
opinion) in the State Society's "Journal," a pa- 
per destined to be the organ of the Society, is 
also very ruinous. Both these bulls were, ii\ 




172 



HISTOKY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



the opinion of the Secretary, "hard animals to 
beat," both were equally praised for their vari- 
ous good qualities. While Balco was an excel- 
lent first-class animal, and the Marquis of Cara- 
bus a very inferior second-class — very flabby 
flesh and very thin skin — this, every man who 
is really a judge of cattle, will admit. 

Some time before this, I wrote a letter to the 
Secretary, condemning Mr. Rotch's "points of 
excellence," showing the Society the fallacy of 
countenancing such stuff, and told them it was 
a direct insult to good judges. These letters 
were then read to the ex-committee, and then 



FOUR-YEAR-OLD. THREE-YEAR-OLD. 

(Ages of cattle compared by teeth.) 

"laid upon the table," which was the last of 
them. The influence of Shorthorn men pro- 
hibited anything of this kind from having its 
proper force. 

With the above letter I gave the following 
memorandum of the price of twenty fat oxen 
sold by the late Mr. Westcar, Bucks, England, 
taken "from his books by his nephew, Richard 
Rowland, Esq. 

Sold in Fleet Market, London : 

Dec. 16, 1800, 2 oxen to Chapman £200 

Dec. 4, 1800, 1 ox to Chapman 147 

Dec. 15, 1800, 1 ox to Harrington 100 

Nov. 26, 1801, 6 oxen to Giblett & Co. . . 630 

Dec. 31, 1801, 1 ox to Chapman 126 

Dec. 31, 1801, 2 oxen to Harwood 200 

Dec. 4, 1803, 1 ox to Chapman 100 

Dec. 19, 1803, 1 ox to Revnolds 105 

Dec. 19, 1803, 1 ox to Giblett 105 

Dec. 5, 1804, 1 ox to Giblett 105 

Dec. 1, 1805, 1 ox to Giblett 100 

]\ov. 28, 1811, 1 ox to Chandler 105 




£2123 
Averaging £106 3s, or $513.04 each. 
These proofs were entirely unnoticed — and 
there has been a time since when you could 
scarcelv pick up a New York State agricultural 
journal that did not contain a pufF for Short- 
horn cattle. I ask the members of the Society 



whether this is right ? I have not shown an 
animal at our State Society Show, except at 
Elmyra, where I was bound to sustain our 
southern tier of counties, and which will ulti- 
mately show what they can really accomplish 
when put to the test. 

When I found the Secretary of the Society 
would not publish my letters I wrote to the 
President, whose letter I have now, and will 
probably appear at some future time. I asked 
him why my letters could not be published in 
the "Journal." He said nothing could appear 
there unless connected with the Society. I did 
not see why my opinion on cattle, as a member, 
had no.t as much right in that "Journal" as that 
of the Secretary, and I thought that "the anti- 
dote ougJit to go with the poison." "But no !" 
all was of no avail, and here it ended. I ask 
my readers to look at this in its true light, for 
the next "Quarterly" may bring something more 
for the members to investigate. 

Wm. Hy. Sotham. 



My idea of pedigree is to refer back to those 
breeders who have universally bred first-class 
cattle. Uniform in quality, symmetry and size, 
more especially the two former. If like pro- 
duces like, of which I have no doubt, when the 
breeder understands his business, is sufficiently 
versed in the three distinct qualities, and never 
allows a second or third-class beast to enter his 
herd. From this process and care in breeding 
spring all genuine herds. If a breeder has 
gained just celebrity in breeding uniformly 
best animals, long ago, and the offspring of 
that breeder follow his example, inheriting the 
true judgment of their sire, and never deviate 
from the true course laid down to them, such 
animals can be perpetuated. From such a par- 
ent tree branches extend their influence, the 
old stock is genuine, many of the branches are 
genuine, while others should have been cast off 
and committed to the flames before it had con- 
taminated the original and substantial stand- 
ard. 

A pedigree from the old stock-, conveyed 
through the best branches, where no dark stain 
has entered, and where sober thoughtfulness has 
perpetrated that true delineation of character, 
in a long continuance of good, uniform breed- 
ing, is worth much, and such pedigrees only 
should be recorded in a Herd Book. I contend 
that the composer of that book should know, 
before he enters an animal in its pages, whether 
it inherits quality and symmetry, if not, it 
cannot be genuine. The principal point in a 
herd is uniformity of first quality, and should 



HISTORY OF IIEKEFOKD CATTLE 



173 



that herd possess first, secoiiil and third, does it 
deserve reeordiiig in the Jlei-d Booiv? I de- 
cidedly say no. Such a herd ought not to be 
countenanced by judge or breeder, and how 
many coarse third-class and tlabby second-class 
bulls there are in the Shorthorn Herd Book, 
with long pedigrees. There is no class of cattle 
in the world so uneven in this important par- 
ticular; tlierefore, what good is their pedigree, 
which is intended to perpetuate uniformity in 
good qualities!' The Herefords and Devons are 
generally uniform in first quality, if descended 
from proper breeders. 

It is no criterion that a man is a genuine 
breeder because his name is puffed in almost 
every paper by editors and their puffers. I 
would rather risk a pedigree from a nuin whose 
name is scarcely known at all. A good judge 
can seldom be deceived in the true points of an 
animal. And in these exciting times a large, 
coarse Shorthorn bull in second or third class, 
with a long pedigree, is a curse to buyer, seller 
and tlie country. 

The late Mr. Bates, for instance, was puffed 
as a breeder in the most extravagant manner; 
and whose herd can show more unevenness than 
his? He has sent to this country more coarse 
second and third-class bulls than any other 
breeder. His name and pedigree have created 
a mania whicli I feel much inclined to say is 
bordering much on lunacy. And as I am bound 
to tell the truth, I think a pedigree from such 
exciting causes, descended from such bulls as 
the late Mr. Bates', are worthless. I would 
much rather trust my hand and eye, guided by 
sober judgment, than such pedigrees, for there 
must be something wrong in a herd possessing 
three qualities. 

I think a pedigree from a man who advocates 
in-and-in breeding ought to be avoided. I have 
tried this ruinous experiment to my own satis- 
faction, and when I come to a "deadlock," as 
many breeders have, I will mix with another 
breed of cattle where I shall not lose my quality 
rather than engender disease. 

W. H. S. 

I owe an apology to my readers for the hur- 
ried way in which this paper is got up. The 
next quarterly will explain all. 

(end of paper.) 

After Mr. Sotham's dissolution of partner- 
ship with Jfr. Corning he moved to Black Rock, 
near Buffalo, N. Y., and from thence to Gen- 
esee Flats and to Owego, and finally to Islip, 
Long Island, all in the State of New York, 
continuing to breed Herefords. 

Hi 1850 Mr. John Humphries and Mr. Aston 



of Elyria, Ohio, imported the Hereford bull 
John Bull (3885) E. H. B. and 464 of the 
American Hereford Record, bred by Mr. E. 
Price of Pembridge, Herefordshire, Eng., by 
Goldfinder 2d (959) 474, bred by John Perry, 
Machowarne; by Wichend (1118) 486, bred by 
Mr. Perry; by Monkland 2d (1012) 498, bred 
by Mr. Perry; by Monkland (552) 504, bred 
by Mr. W. Perry of Cholstry; by Lion (335) 
519, bred by Mr. W. Perry; by a bull of IL-. 
Jeffries; and on his dam's side tracing to Sir 
David (349) 68. Mr. Humphries also imported 
Victoria 478, bred by Mr. Bowen of Markland, 
Leominster, tracing to Old Court (306) 60. 

T. Aston imported the cow Duchess 15, bred 
by Mr. Bowen of Markland. For continuance 
of her breeding see Vol. 1 of the Herd Book. 
Also imported Curly (801) 14, bred by Mr. T. 
Roberts, Ivingtonbury, Leominster, Eng., trac- 
ing directly to the stock of Mr. Benj. Tomkins. 
From these herds H. and N. Abbie of Elyria, 
H. Chappel, Thos. Clark, Thomas Cox, A. 
Dyke, H. S. Kline, N. G. Porter, William Rich- 
ardson, H. T. Smith, W. W. Aldrich and G. W. 
Byers, all of Ohio, had stock from the produce 
of these importations. 

Mr. Frederick William Stone of Guelph, Can., 




"SEVENTEEN" SHORTHORN STEER, McMULLIN. 



imported in 1860 or 1861 quite a number of 
Hereford cattle. (1[ 79-80-81) Among the bulls 
imported by Mr. Stone was Sailor (2200) 12, 
by Severn (1382) 24, and he by Walford (871) 
47. (H 82) Mr. Stone's importation was large- 
ly of Lord Berwick's herd of Shropshire, and 
Lord Bateman's of Shobdon, Leominster, Eng. 
Mr. Stone also bred Shorthorns, and while the 
Herefords were his favorites, having both 
breeds, he was not a decided advocate of one 
more than another, Imt distributed much very 
valuable Hereford blood. 



1?4 



HISTORY OF H E E E F O Kl) (' A T T L E 



Mr. Taft of Williston, Vt., writing to the 
"Breeder's Journal," August 7, 1882, says: 

"The Albany 'Cultivator' in August, 1846, 
contained the following notice of some Here- 
fords that were brought to this town : 

" 'Rev. L. G. Bingham of Williston, Vt., has 
lately purchased of Messrs. Corning and So- 
tham some fine Hereford cattle. The lot con- 
sisted of the imported cow "Aston Beauty," 
two yearling heifers, a yearling bull and heifer 
calf. They were animals of excellent qualities, 
and we think will prove particularly valuable 
to that section of the country. Their vigorous 
constitutions will adapt them to the climate, 
and on the sweet pastures of the hills and moun- 
tains they will easily and quickly thrive and 
fatten, while in any fair trials in the yoke or 
for the production of butter they will not be 
'found wantiiitr." 







m 




ft-- 




1 





MR- J. H. ARKWRIGHT. HAMPTON COURT. HERE- 
FORDSHIRE, ENG. 

"The cattle more than justified all that was 
said of them in the above extract. They pro- 
duced splendid oxen, were not wanting in the 
production of butter, and one of the best 
drovers in the Boston cattle market told me he 
was never cheated by buying a Hereford 'in the 
lump.' But the man who brought the cattle 
here failed in his extensive enterprises and left 
the State, and they were not bred after that; 
but the grades were here and traces of the 
blood, with its excellent characteristics, re- 
mained in this vicinitv until latelv. There is 



now but one full-blooded Hereford in Vermont, 
'High C!hief 2d,' recorded in the English Here- 
ford Herd Book No. 5966, bred by Mr. Hawes 
in Maine, and now owned by me ; and there are 
very few in New England. 

"Yours truly, 

"R. S.' Taft." 

Commenting on which, the editor of the 
"Journal" says: 

"There are quite a number of Herefords in 
Maine, New Hamji.shire, JMassachusetts and 
Connecticut which we know of. A herd was 
started in Oxford, Me., by Mr. Holmes." — Ed. 

The Rust oe Syracuse Ox created a sensa- 
tion in his day, being proven by Mr. Sotham 
and others to have Hereford blood. This ox 
was owned and fed by Mr. N. P. Riist, Syra- 
cuse, to whom was awarded the first premium 
of the New York State Agricultural Society for 
the best fat animal exhibited at the Albany Fair, 
in 1842. This ox was eight years old; his live 
weight February 19, 1841, 2,360 pounds; on 
the 18th of July, 1842, it was 3,400 pounds, 
and when exhibited at the State Fair in Albany 
September 28, 1843, it is said to have weighed 
4,200 pounds, which would be a gain of three 
pounds per day for nineteen months. At this 
weight he retained his activity and appetite, 
and continued to take on flesh as fast as ever. 
If it is said that the weights and gains are too 
large, we have only to say that they are given 
by Shorthorn men, when claimed by them as a 
Shorthorn grade. Mr. Rust made a certificate 
as to the feeding of his ox, as follows : 

He has been fed nineteen months on corn- 
meal, from twelve to sixteen quarts a day, and 
during the winter he was fed a bushel of pota- 
toes or rutabagas each day. During the sum- 
mer he was fed four quarts of oil meal in addi- 
tion to his cornmeal. Mr. Sanford Howard, 
one of the careful, practical, painstaking writers 
of that time, gave his opinion that the ox owed 
his excellence to Hereford blood and was a 
typical Hereford. 

(II 84) Contemporary with the Rust Ox, 
a gigantic Hereford ox was being exhibited in 
England, of which the following account we find 
in the "Chamber of Agriculture Journal" of 
November 14, 1881. It must be remembered 
that the English ton is 2,240 pounds, which 
would make the steer the immense weight of 
4,480 pounds: 

"The records -of Hereford cattle are not de- 
void of information respecting gigantic oxen. 
Some forty-five years ago one animal gained 
some notoriety by the name of 'Wettleton Ox,' 
on account of his immense scale, deep flesh and 
wonderful symmetry. The ox was exhibited upon 



II 1 S T () K Y OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



IW 



Ludlow race course, ami also at many of the 
piiiicipal towns in England. To give some idea 
of Ills innnense size we ([uote an old poster call- 
ing attention to the animal when it was ex- 
hii)ited in Ludlow race course. It is as follows: 
'8tu])endous Ox. Now I']xhibited on this race 
course. The celebrated Wettleton Ox, bred and 
frd by Mr. She])pard of Wettleton, the proprie- 
tnr. lie is of the pure Hereford breed, stands 
eighteen bands high, girts twelve feet, three 
feet six inelu's over the first rib ; three feet three 
inches across the hips, and weighs upwards of 
two tons (4,480 pounds).' At that period the 
exhibition of the ox created great attention, and 
no animal approaching it in scale has ever be- 
fore been exhibited in that part of the king- 
dom." 

Mr. Sothani never lost interest in the Here- 
fords even after he had given up breeding. 

Writing to the "National Live Stock Jour- 
nal," May 12th, 1871, Mr. Sotham says, under 
the caption of 

'•JMCHEFOUDS ^■S. SHORTHORNS." 

To the Editor of the "Journal" : 

Much has been said in comparison of Here- 
fcrds with Shorthorns, and much more can be 
said ; and as the Herefords are but little known 



in the West I think it only fair to bring their 
true merits before the people, and as I do not 
own a single animal of the breed I cannot now 
be accused of interested motives. Much has 
been said in favor of Shorthorns, and extraor- 
dinary prices have been published to the world, 
given by men of money, for none other could 
purchase them. There are but few men capable 
of breeding Shorthorns, and all who know any- 
thing about them are aware that they are a 
made-up breed, hence their want of unity in 
breeding. Tell me, ye Duchess men, 3-e follow- 
ers of Bates, did you ever see uniformity of 
breeding in the herd of Thomas Bates ? A more 
uneven herd I never beheld, either at home in 
their glory, with their admirers around them, or 
divided in America by those gentlemen who 
strongly advocate the Duchess tribe of Bates" 
breeding of thin skins and soft hniidling. What 
is more remarkable, these advocates both in 
England and this country were generally men 
who knew nothing about breeding ; were literary 
men who had acquired a fortune by some lucra- 
tive business, became possessed of it by heir- 
ship, or leaped into it by some "lucky" specu- 
lation. These men gave high prices because 
they had the money, not because they had the 
judgment to select for themselves; because the 









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THE RIGHT HON. EARI- OF COVENTRY. CROOME COURT, WORCESTERSHIRE. 



ire 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Duchess stock IkkI become fashionable in Amer- 
ica, and men who did not know tlieir true value 
paid fabulous prices for them. Still, they soon 
began to find out that it cost more to keep up 
appearances than the animals could realize, and 
they retired from the Duchess contest as soon 
as propriety would allow, or with as little injury 
to the cause as possible — Morris & Becar retired 
in favor of Thorn, — Thorn retired in favor of 
Sheldon, — Sheldon retired in favor of Walcott 
& Campbell — all Duchess men. Vail retired 
from a Duchess to a Devon breeder. Lewis F. 
Allen, author of "American Shorthorn Herd 
Book," followed Mr. Vail's example and went 




MR. S. W. URWICK, HEREFORD, ENG. 

(For twenty years Secretary of the English Herd Book 

Society.) 



from Duchess to Devon, After spending much 
more than he got from them in hawking them 
about from place to place with flattering adver- 
tisements he finally disposed of the tail-end in 
niinois, after a winter's feeding on corn to lay 
on the flesh. He flew to Devons for relief. Then 
came Stevens in literary force, with arguments 
strong in favor of Sherwood and himself. They 
imported freely from Bates. Wiat became of 
them, all know. Then came Chapman, with 
all his Duchesses, full of puffs, portraits and 
pedigrees. This ended in smoke, with Halton 
at the head of the herd, who sold at the sale 
for about what his owner advertised as the price 



of a cow, Tlicn came Page, with his flattering 
portraits nuide of straight lines as if all done 
with a ruler, accompanied with constant puffs 
of the Duchess tribe. But where are Mr, Page's 
Shorthorns ? They can be mainly seen on paper 
and there he gets his profit. Flattery is not 
lest upon his admirers, and these pictures 
please fancy men of money, and attract novices 
by their sameness in straight lines. I could 
enumerate others to the end of a very long chap- 
ter, but space in the "Journal" is too valuable. 
Let me ask the Duchess men the cause of all 
this? Because, in another communication, and 
at a more convenient season, I shall show that 
Bates could not be compared to Booth in breed- 
ing Shorthorns, and I shall endeavor to show 
that Shorthorns well bred by scientific breeders, 
such as Booth and his true followers, are equal 
to any cattle in existence. Notwithstanding 
this, Hereford breeders have pursued the even 
tenor of their ways, bred some very superior 
animals and have won more prizes than Short- 
horns at the Smithfield and Birmingham shows 
in England, more especially when they have 
come in competition with each other. The Here- 
fords, being a race, they breed more uniformly, 
and the breeders, not being led away by ficti- 
tious prices or sham auctions, as the Shorthorn 
breeders in England and this country were, they 
stick to good breeding, and, being content with 
reasonably remunerative prices, made money 
and extended the breed all over England, Wales 
and Australia ; and now the West Indies and 
Scotland arc beginning to encourage them and 
they are increasing strongly among the farmers 
of Ireland. You seldom hear of sales of Here- 
fords where they are thoroughly known, be- 
cause the demand at home, at reasonable and 
remunerative prices, is greater than the supply ; 
while Shorthorn breeders, waiting for their 
extraordinary prices, look in vain for moneyed 
men, who are a long way between, but who pay 
well to have their name conspicuous in print, 
injure the Shorthorn cause by bidding far be- 
yond the value, vainly seeking that fame which 
can only be realized by fancy men with money. 

As the Shorthorns have many strong advo- 
cates among these men of money, let me show 
you what Herefords have done against their 
strong influences. You have seldom heard of a 
Hereford sale, unless when the head of the fam- 
ily had gone to his last home and his estate had 
to be divided ; while the Shorthorn sales are 
everlastingly in print, under the sheriff or, to 
attract novices, with under-bidders to spur them 
on, aided by strong and frequent drinks, to keep 
up notoriety. This cannot be denied. 

In the early part of the Smithfield shows, 



HISTOKY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



177 



wlion Shorthorns mikI Hcrd'onls contundud 
iiLjaiiist uacli other, tlic Ilcrefords almost in- 
variiiljly took tlic first jii'izfs. Mr. Westcar of 
t'rcslow, RuL'kiiifihaiiishirc', took the first prize 
with a Hereford twenty years in succession, but 
sui)sequently retired from tlie contest, disgusted 
witli the trickery of Sliorthorn breeders who, 
at length, insisted that Herefords and Short- 
horns should be put in separate classes — because 
r(-peated failures drove them to it. Notwith- 
standing this, the Herefords took more prizes 
in steers and oxen from that alteration than 
Shorthorns, while the cow class in Shorthorns 
took the majority of prizes because Hereford 
breeders would not sacrifice their best animals 
for that purpose. Shorthorn breeders forced 
their females from birth for show and appear- 
ance, thus producing barrenness, hence their 
show cows for the gold medal. This being fash- 
ionable, a large majority of Shorthorn cows 
over Hereford could always be found in the 
show yard, enabling them to win more gold 
medals under the forcing system. 

Again, Shorthorn breeders were constantly 
boasting of early maturity over Herefords, un- 
til they were obliged to succumb. In 1863 Mr. 
Heath won the gold medal with a Hereford 
steer two years old, while there were thirteen 
Shorthorns from three to five years old in the 
same class. Soon after this, I believe in 18.54, 
Jlr. Shirley showed another two-)'ear-old Here- 
ford, winning the gold medal under precisely 
the same circumstances. The following year 
he did the same. I may be mistaken in the 
years of Mr. Shirley's triumphs, but these are 
facts that cannot be denied, for they are on 
record, and they silenced the traducers of Here- 
fords, and you heard of no more bragging in 
print of the early maturity of Shorthorns. Even 
Allen, Stevens. Tucker and Tom Brown had to 
knock under and fly to some other jjlea for 
Shorthorns. 

Tlien the great milking qualities were 
brought before the public. A prize w'as given 
for that quality at the Royal Show at Oxford, 
in 1839, open to all England and all breeds. 
There was great competition. Shorthorns pre- 
dominating. !Mr. J. R. Smythies' Hereford cow 
took first ])rizc for the best milker, a Shorthorn 
second. This prize was discarded afterward, 
because Shortliorn men had control and they 
feared a repetition. This somewhat silenced 
the bragging for milking Shorthorns and en- 
couraged the dairy men in favor of Herefords. 
Mr. Smvthies, in a communication to the "Mark 
Lane Express," Feljruary 5, 1849, discussing 
the merits of Herefords as milkers, says: "I 
have seen Hereford cows milk well, and had one 



myself which made eleven pounds of butter per 
week for three months;" but he observes that 
"beef is much more profitable than butter in 
this section, and on that account it is not an 
object with Hereford breeders to have good 
milkers." This is undoubtedly the fact, and 
it explains why Hereford breeders have not paid 
more attention to the milking properties of 
their cattle. Mr.. Duckham (^ 83), in his lec- 
ture, says of Herefords : "In the dairy counties, 
where the milking qualities of the cow are well 
attended to, the most satisfactory results are 
realized." He quotes from a letter from Mr. 
Reed, to whose experience with the Herefords 
as workers reference had been made, the state- 
ment, "that they have been used for dairy pur- 
poses for nearly half a century upon the farm 
and that he believes they yield a larger return 
than could be obtained from any other breed 
upon a similar class of land." Mr. Duckham 
also quotes from a letter of Mr. James of Jlap- 
powder, Dorsetshire, whose dairy herd of Here- 
fords has been formed thirty years. He states 
that the stock has been much improved since 
he obtained it, and that Hereford dairies are 
becoming very common in that country. He 
adds : "In proof that they are good for milk, 
we let near a hundred cows to dairy people, 
and if I buy nm- '■'' :'■■■• xt'v- lireed to fill up 






MR. J. H. ARKWRIGHT. 

(First President of the English Herd Uool( Society; on his 

favorite hunter, "Bagpipes.") 

the dairy they always grumble and would 
rather have one of our own bred heifers. We 
let our cows at so much a year, finding land 
and making the hay." Mr. D. also quotes from 
a Cornwall correspondent, who says that accord- 
ing to his experience "the Herefords are good 
milkers and he is convinced that when the cows 
are deficient in their yield of milk it does not 
ari.se from any constitutional defect, but rather 
from mismanagement in rearing, or a deficiency 



ll 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



of the constituents essential to the production 
of milk in their food. My cow Patience," he 
continues, "bred by Mr. J. Y. Cook, Moreton 
House, Hereford, has this summer given four- 
teen pounds of butter per week, and Blossom, 
bred by the late Mr. Longmore, Salop, gave 
twenty-twoquarts of milk,yieldingtwo and one- 
half pounds of butter per day, equal to seven- 
teen and one-half pounds of butter per week." 
The same correspondent says: "1 consider the 



Herefords are particularly adapted to this 
humid, fickle climate, where Devons become 
small and delicate and Shorthorns grow long 
and coarse." This statement of butter, seven- 
teen and one-half pounds, is somewhat extraor- 
dinary, but I know Mr. Duckham to be a gentle- 
man of veracity, who would not state anything 
to the public but what he knows to be true. 
Wm. H. Sotham. 
Detroit, Nov. 20, 1870. 




C. .M. CULBERTSON. NEWMAN. ILL. 
(First President American Hereford Cattle Breeders' Asso- 



HISTORY OF H E K E F O K I) CATTLE 



179 



CHAPTER XIIL 



Mr. Wm. H. Soi'ham's Histcjry of the Herefords 



W'e have ()iiote(l from tlie standard publica- 
tions of tlie day the early correspondence of 
Mr. \V. H. Sotham and his opponents to show 
liis and their methods. We have proven beyond 
doubt that the Herefords were during all this 
time the thriftiest graziers and the most eco- 
nomical producers of tlie best beef of all the 
British breeds. Before taking up the later his- 
tory of the Herefords we feel it but Justly his 
due to more fully present a history of Mr. So- 
tham"s connection with the breed. Mr. Sotham 
fought a good fight, actuated by the highest 
motives ; his was a jiractical mind that, looking 
through the fog of fashion, fad, prejudice and 
self-interest, saw nothing but the beef-making 
qualities of beef-bred animals. Prime beef at 
minimum cost was to Mr. Sotham the desidera- 
tum in cattle, and no animal had value in his 
eyes that did not meet the requirements of our 
motto: "Economy of production and value of 
product." It is given to few men to have such 
a rich and varied experience. His sterling hon- 
esty and love of truth added to this experience 
founded a character that could not patiently 
brook opposition based on inexperience, subter- 
fuge, mediocrity and self-interest. 

Mr. Sotham gave his life-work to the Here- 
ford breed of cattle, without at any time much 
hope of financial reward. He came naturally 
to look upon the Hereford breed as a ward un- 
der his fostering protection, and upon their 
thrift and perfect quality as inherent good traits 
of faithful adopted children. And undaunted 
by vicious opposition he continued his cham- 
pionship half a century, till, at the ripe age of 
eighty-three, he died in 1884 at Chicago. 

We quote herewith as a suitable place for its 
preservation, from ^fr. Sotham's own pen with- 
out comment bis "History of the Herefords," 
written for the "Chicago Drover's Journal" in 
1881, two years before his death. 

PART I. 

Stonington Park, 111., Oct. 3. — Referring to 
the stock on exhibition at the recent New York 



State Fair, the "Country Gentleman" of the 23d 
of September says : "The twenty-six Herefords 
are owned by two exhibitors, Erastus Corning 
of Albany,- N. Y., and Burleigh and Bodwell of 
Fairfield Centre, Me. Mr. Coming's cattle were 
all bred by himself with the exception of one 
imported bull, Comus (44.57) tiG6.5, and it is 
complimentary to the skillful management un- 
der which this well-known herd has always been 
conducted that it defeated the Maine white- 
faces, including, as they did, a number of cattle 
ii'cently brought over and regarded as among 
the best in England. The Hereford show, all 
things considered, was certainly the best for 
years." 

I think this pretty good proof of what I told 
more than once, that the Herefords were as good 
when I imjwrted them to the United States as 
they are now. In 1839 I bought the first-prize 
cow at Oxford Royal Agricultural Show. The 
bull, cow and offspring that took first prize at 
Tredegar and Cirencester, England, and several 
others about as good in my first importation. 
Mr. Erastus Corning, Jr.. has only brought one 
female into this herd since we first imported 
them, and she never bred — a beautiful animal — 
and every means were tried to obtain an off- 
spring without success. All the improvement 
that has been made on the herd to my knowl- 
edge has been from the bulls Mr. Erastus Corn- 
ing, Jr., has imported, and they have been good. 
I am not at all surprised to hear of his success 
over the boasted herd of Mr. Burleigh, as I fully 
believe that herd and others sold from it was 
imported on speculation rather than for good 
breeding purposes ; and I am fearful that there 
will be too much of this, to the injury of the 
Herefords. I had supposed that Hereford breed- 
ers had profited by the bad example set them by 
Shorthorn speculators on pedigree. 

The late Hon. Erastus Corning (|[ 85) was 
a true nobleman at heart, and a sincere friend. 
Whatever he undertook was based on sound 
principle, and, being just in all his dealings, 
remarkably liberal in his views, coupled to an 
enterprising spirit, he was a true benefactor to 



180 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD C A 1^ T L E 



his countr)-. He did evcrytiiing in his power, 
while obtaining a huge fortune, for its benefit ; 
though not a speech-maker, while Senator of 
his own State, and at Washington, his sound 
judgment was the foundation of many that were 
made. Many who were popular for their best 
speeches based them on the foundation of his 
soundness. This I know ocularly and demon- 
stratively, having been present at such consulta- 
tions many times to witness his superiority. Un- 
fortunately for the Herefords, he was a strong 
politician and. although he delighted in im- 




T. E. MILLER, BEECHER, ILL. 

(First Secretary American Hereford Cattle Breeders' 

Association.) 

provements, he had but little judgment in cat- 
tle. 

When I first went to England for Herefords 
I had very limited capital, but great faith in 
them as being the best breed for this country. 
I felt that I understood their true merit when 
in England, and some of their best breeders 
were my most intimate friends. Having but 
little capital, I felt that it was impossible for 
me to get any from my mother countrv. 

The fall of 1839 Ihad just finished buying 
nearly 4,000 head of cattle in droves for Mr. 
Ebenezer Wilson, as they were making their 
way from the West to Albany. I paid a portion 
down on each drove to be then delivered at the 
price stated per hundred at his slaughter house 
for barreling purposes. After contracting for 



many droves I returned to Albany, and as the 
droves came in we selected some of the best and 
(II 80) 1 took them to the Bull's Head (N. Y.) 
for market. Mr. Wilson barreled a little over 
si.x thousand head that season ; he sold his hides 
for cash, his tallow for cash, his feet, horns, 
and bones also. His beef as soon as in the bar- 
rel was sent to New York to his factor and ship- 
per, of whom he drew at sight for the propor- 
tion per barrel agreed upon, he holding the beef 
as security. The whole of his capital was in- 
vested in his beef, and the prospect being favor- 
able for higher prices he held on to it. 

I had frequently spoken of the Herefords in 
high praise to Mr. Wilson and he, being highly 
pleased with my description, proposed that if I 
would go to England and get credit for a good 
lot that when I arrived in New York he would 
meet me there with money enough to pay the 
whole investment, in which he said he should 
have ample means from his returns in the 
spring. I told him that I would do this, if I 
could do it with safety. He assured ftie that I 
could, and with this promise I started. 

I purchased twenty-two head, paid what little 
money I had of my own, and promised to pay 
all on my return to New York. Among them 
were those I have above stated. When I arrived 
I found that barreled beef had gone down and 
much depressed, that nuieh of his had soured 
and was unsalable, as he had involved himself 
so much that he was compelled to fail ; but he 
went to the Hon. Erastus Corning, told him in 
what way he was situated with me, that he knew 
my judgment was good and that the cattle 
would be superior. 

On this information Mr. Corning sent Mr. 
Watts Sherman, then cashier of the Albany City 
Bank, of which Mr. C. was president, to ex- 
amine the cattle on board. This gentleman was 
highly pleased with them, examined my bills 
and prices for them, and drew a draft on Mr. 
Corning for the whole amount. I took them 
to his farm and, they being about the first Here- 
fords ever imported, they raised considerable 
excitement; but their true turrit was but little 
known. 

The Shorthorns had full sway, were owned 
by rich men who determined to support them 
at all hazards and who had the controlling 
power over the executive committee of the N. Y. 
State Agricultural Society, and when they (the 
Herefords) came to be shown in the fair by 
their side (the Shorthorns), could not avoid 
seeing the Hereford superiority for beef-mak- 
ing, hence became jealous and full of prejudice, 
put on Shorthorn men as judges, who would not 
report anything in their favor, but tried to make 



H I S T K Y OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



181 



a liiul improssinn. considered me an innovator, 
and W(>re determined to iveep them in the baclv- 
ground ; wouhi not make a class for all breeds, 
although I kept constant!}' urging it, on paper, 
and at their meetings. They often insinuated 
that the Ilerel'ords were far below the Short- 
horns, and a portion of them puffed and por- 
trayed Bates and his tribes beyond control; he 
must have the ascendancy, above everything. 
This brought me into a controversy with many 
Shorthorn men, with whom I had to fight a 
hard battle, to which the editors of the ''Coun- 
try (icntleman and Cultivator" must confess, 
and their paper will prove. 

Xo person could be more kind to me than 
Mr. Corning, and my endeavor was to recipro- 
cate. He was much pleased with the cattle and 
the same year gave me a draft on Baring Broth- 
ers, London, to go and buy another lot. They 
were similar to the first purchase, and being so 
successful in bringing them out I did not in- 
sure. Took the whole steerage and filled it with 
cattle and feed. Just before we got to the 
banks of Newfoundland a heavy storm came 
upon us, shattered our bulwarks and swept off 
our galley. This storm blew us back 300 miles; 
the hatches were closed, and the waves sent 
their foaming white-caps and heavy spray over 
us in quick rapidity; no air could be conveyed 
into tiie steerage, consequently the cattle broke 
loose, were jumbled up together and died in 
their suffocation and confusion. Such a spec- 
tacle I never before beheld, as each animal was 
drawn up to be deposited in its watery grave. 
I had become attached to several of the beauti- 
ful animals that thus suffered and perished*, as 
I fed and nursed them on the voyage ; I thought 
of the kindness and liberality shown me by Mr. 
Corning and felt that he would blame me for 
not insuring. 

When the calm came I began to reckon on the 
loss, and found that gentleman's would not be 
less than $8,000. My embarrassment was most 
trying, although I was not ashamed to meet Mr. 
Corning, but his loss, under the kindness he 
had shown me. weighed heavily. Whfn we met 
and he heard my explanation not a murmur 
did I hoar from him. He was so well versed in 
this world's affairs, and the disasters belonging, 
that he saw the situation at once. He never 
hinted the loss to me. 

.\fter this he became so beset by Shorthorn 
breeders, who did everything they could to dis- 
courage him, and they being men of capital and 
influence, he listened. They tried to make him 
believe that the Herefords did not amount to 
anything, that I was only a braggadocio, that 
there were no other cattle in the world like 



Shorthorns, and the fictitious prices they sold 
for made him believe there was something in it; 
still, they could not get him to adopt them. 
Between politics and his other extensive busi- 
ness he found he could no longer stand the 
worry of the special pleading of Shorthorn 
breeders, of their abuses toward me and the dis- 
paragement of the Herefords. He resolved to 
become clear of it. 

I never was so kindly treated by any person 
in the world as I was by the late Hon. Erastus 
Corning and Mrs. Corning; had I been a near 
relative they could not have treated me more 
kindly. They did much to lead me into the 
best society in Albany. I fully appreciated all 
they did, and exerted my utmost to reciprocate. 
I frequently went to his house to spend the 
evening, and in one of those events he said to 
me : "Sotham, I know your strong faith in the 




ADAMS EARL. "SHADELAND" LAFAYETTE, IND. 
(First Treasurer American Hereford Cattle Breeders' Asso- 
ciation. J 

Herefords, and the strong prejudice that Short- 
horn breeders have against you and them. I 
like the Herefords and believe all you say of 
them ; but I cannot stand the constant pleading 
of that body of men to turn my attention to 
their favorite breed. T know nothing of either 



183 



HISTORY OF H E E E F E D CATTLE 



breed, practically; therefore, if you have faith 
in taking the most part of them at half value, 
and will get an endorser for the amount, you 
shall take them. You may make the papers 
to suit your time. I will keep three heifers, the 
cow Victoria and a bull, to sliow tliat 1 am still 
a believer in them. Y'ou may take the bulk of 
the herd, and if you do I sincerely hope you will 
be successful." This seemed to me a most rea-- 
sonable, kind and valuable ofEer for me, but I 
felt that the little capital I had in them was 
ffone in our wreck at sea. ami liow to tret a 




M. STUDEBAKER. SOUTH BEND. I.ND. 
(.Member Organization Committee, American Hereford 
Cattle Breeders' Association.) 

farm to support them upon was an important 
consideration. However, I secured an endorser 
and a farm at Black Rock, near Buffalo, and 
took the herd there. 



PAET II. 

From my early boyhood I had an exceedingly 
high opinion of the Hereford cattle, and "have 
since that time been a strong and staunch advo- 
cate for them, and tliink 1 can fully support 
all I have said. The uniformity of their char- 
acter, the superiority of their flesh, combined 
with rich milking and substance of body, 
induced me to patronize them to the best of my 
ability. 



My frequent visits to the herds of Messrs. 
Hewer of Northleach, Gloucestershire, England, 
in an early day, gave me an opportunity of see- 
ing some good ones bred by them. Mr. Wm. 
Hewer, Sr., Wm. Hewer, Jr., and Joseph Hewer, 
the father and two sons, did all in their power 
to outvie with each other, and each tried his 
utmost to get at the pinnacle of good breeding. 
They were as earnest in excelling each other as 
opposite breeders. All were practical men of 
good, common sense. Their herds originated 
from that well-known breeder, Mr. John Hewer 
of Herefordshire. If either procured a very su- 
perior bull, each derived the benefit and each 
bred him at pleasure. 

They studied together the improvement each 
animal made, and vice versa the defects, and 
by their combined good judgment none excelled 
them in good breeding. This prosperous course 
of rivalry was pleasant and instructive, and ren- 
dered superior aid in arriving at superior judg- 
ment, without whicli no man can become a 
proper breeder. The Messrs. Hewer's Hereford 
cattle and Cotswold sheep obtained as high a 
stand as any in England, and by which all 
became wealthy, derived from their practical 
knowledge of a superior animal and the coup- 
ling of male and female. (H 88) 

Much care and attention are required in the 
effect of improvement, and can only be obtained 
gradually. Skill in the advancement is inherent, 
which cannot be learnt by lessons or lectures 
fii- by professional theoretical novices. The re- 
sult must be practically satisfactory to enable 
you to pursue with confidence ; without this you 
cannot succeed. He who trusts to the opinion 
of others will never make a breeder. Eesults 
from his own experience must be his guide, and 
when a breeder arrives at the highest point of 
excellence, his name spread far and wide, it is 
a very difficult matter to keep there. Prosperity 
is apt to make men careless and consequential, 
which is almost certain to create degeneration, 
and when this takes place the downward strides 
are long and rapid. 

The Messrs. Hewer made vast improvements 
in the Hereford cattle and Cotswold sheep. The 
senior held his fame and his untarnished repu- 
tation until his death ; Wm. Hewer, Jr., until he 
retired; but Joseph was taken away in his early 
career, by Jumping into the water to save a 
favorite ram when he was saturated with per- 
spiration in his haste to arrive. He, in his 
usefulness, left a fine herd of Herefords and 
Cotswolds to be divided. The Hereford cattle 
and Cotswold sheep of my first importation were 
derived from the Messrs. Hewer, with the ex- 
ception of the first-prize Hereford cow I pur- 



HISTOIJY OF HEIJEFUKD CATTLE 



183 



cliasud from .Mr. Jmiiics Wulkor, with her year- 
ling; liuU. whicli took lirst prize at the i<ho\v of 
the iioyal at Oxford in 1839, and bred by Mr. 
Turner. 

1 ishowed the kindness I received from the 
hite Hon. Erastus Corning of Albany. This 
gentleman was a pattern to rich men. He was 
a princely honest man, and was always ready 
to encourage true enterprise. His ol)ject was to 
do good, and his thorough knowledge of busi- 
ness and the world gave him the advantage over 
most men. There was no man who ever knew 
him thoroughly but that loved and revered him. 
He was moderate in all his views, kind, even to 
a fault, and no man worthy of support ever 
called upon him in vain. He was a true pro- 
moter of deserving enterprise. I only wish there 
were more such men at the head of our Govern- 
ment now. It would then have a solid founda- 
tion. His mind was based upon a sound anil 
solid principle, and being just in all his deal- 
ings, he advised .others into the same course. 
With such a mind as this, Mr. Corning could 
not help seeing the true value of the Hereford 
cattle when they appeared on his farm, and 
after paying all the charges upon them, ad- 
vanced me more money to go to England again 
for others of a similar character, as they were 
admired by all who saw them. (^ 89) 

The trio, Lewis F. Allen, Ambrose Stevens 
and John B. Page, were the scribes for the 
"Bates mania," and to denounce the Herefords, 
and. although neither of them had any practical 
knowledge of stock, they had an unboundeil 
eonceitedness connected with their brass to 
teach men more practically informed how to 
breed. 

Then there were Thos. Brown of the "Ohio 
Farmer," Francis Rotch of Bates fame, Georgi' 
Vail, an importer and constant puffer of Bates 
and his tribes, in connection with S. P. Chap- 
man, neither of whom really knew anything 
more of Herefords or Shorthorns than a cast- 
iron soldier. All wrote and re-wrote, but 
neither knew- what they were writing about. 
They might know enough to distinguish a 
heifer from a steer. All these scribes went to 
p]rastus Corning with high praise of Bates and 
claiming that Herefords had no character. Al- 
though ^^r. Corning felt differently, he was dis- 
gusted with their familiarity and constant har- 
angue, that, with his other important business, 
was a great annoyance to him, and on that ac- 
count ho made me the generous offer which I 
explained. 

Now, let mc show you what became of all 
these scribes and deceivers. Lewis F. Allen, 
editor of the Shorthorn Herd Book, became a 



hawker of his Shorthorns; tried public sales at 
great expense, without effect; then sent them 
to Illinois to be fed on corn for many months 
to make a better appearance, so that he could 
dispose of the whole. All who purchased know 
what trouble there was in obtaining correct 
pedigrees — in the Red Ladies more particular- 
ly. After the disposal of these he went to 
Devons. While in Shorthorns and their grades 
his diary presents a most laughable tale, with 
which I am familiar, and may present at some 
future day. 

Ambrose Stevens, the bosom and confidential 
friend of the editor of the Herd Book, who kept 
two Shorthorn cows for him, the only stocf: of 
the kind he then possessed, bred to Allen's bulls, 
but bred nothing of character. Allen, finding 
they were no profit to him, wished me to take 
them until Stevens could find a place for them. 
I put them to my Hereford bull Major, and one 
of them produced a heifer calf of true Hereford 
character, except she had a "sweet head" so 




GEO. p. MORGAN, LINWOOD, KAN. 

(Member Organization Committee American Hereford Cattle 

Breeders' Association.) 

puffed up by Bates. I saw this heifer at Bata- 
via, N. Y., when she was two years old, and 
among the "grand importation'' made by Am- 
brose Stevens, Esq., from Mr. Stevenson, the 
noted breeder of the Princess tribe, Ambrose 
could not help but admit that she was the best 
animal in the lot. She was of pure Hereford 
character except in head and horns, which were 



184 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



short, small and crumpled. I tried to buy her, 
but he would not set a price, as he valued her 
"sweet head" very highly. I never learnt what 
subsequently became of her or her progeny. 

I now hear but little of John R. Page; his 
light seems to be "hid under a bushel."' I hear 
nothing of his herd, and his notorious flattering 
portraits on paper seem to have lost patronage. 
John was once a shining light ; I should not be 
surprised to see him swaggering amongst the 
white-faces with as much pomp as he did at 
Shorthorn saleR.if he can make it prove as agree- 




THIIS. CLAItK. liliECllEK. ILL. 

(.Member Organization Committee Ameriian Hereford Cattle 

Breeders' Association.) 

able to Hereford breeders as he did to those of 
Shorthorns. John puffed Morris & Becar, who 
retired in favor of Jonathan Thorn ; he retired 
in favor of Sheldon, who retired in favor of 
Walcott & Campbell — all Duchess men. Vail 
retired to S. P. Chapman and became a Devon 
breeder. Chapman failed when in prime of life 
— when he considered himself just in his glory, 
while advertising Halton (purchased by Mr. 
Vail) at $20 per cow, which was more than the 
brute was worth. I should like to hear the first 
man sav that he ever saw a good one from him. 
All Page's puffs and portraits of him at the 
head of the herd ended in smoke. Halton sold 
at the sale at about the price advertised for a 
cow to be bred to him. 

Francis Rotch was another Bates puffer and 
a fancv pet scribe of the ".Albany Cultivator and 



Country Gentleman,'' the organ for the Short- 
horns, which was solely under these scribes and 
breeders. If a Hereford breeder advocated their 
breed he was either "strongly prejudiced against 
Shorthorns" or was no judge of them or of Here- 
fords. They knew "on which side their bread 
was buttered," and they took advantage of it. 
Rotch's prestige in Shorthorns failed before he 
died ; his herd became extinct ; there is nothing 
left of his work as a pleasant memorial, and this 
same "Country Gentleman" has ever since 
shunned the Herefords, though conscious of 
how much they had abused them. 

I name some of these gentlemen and their or- 
gan because they were the f)rincipal ones who 
were constantly worrying Hon. Erastus Corn- 
ing by condemning Herefords and speaking in 
high praise of the Shorthorns. Thirty to forty 
influential men of money against one individ- 
ual, who had but little means to defend himself 
against such men, glorying in their power. It 
was that overbearing power that brought them 
to a sense of their weakness, when put into the 
balance scale of profit and loss. 

It is difficult to say how much they lost. I 
do most earnestly wish that good and just man, 
the late Hon. Erastus Corning, was here now to 
witness the change and realize the true char- 
actor of those men in their present state, who 
(lid all in their power to influence him in their 
well-known deceit, none of which can again 
\isit him for the purpose of deceiving him in 
bis calm and unalloyed resting place. He is 
now receiving his just reward for the good he 
has done on earth. 



PART III. 

These Shorthorn men were fully aware they 
had something to contend with in the Here- 
fords, and exerted their utmost to keep them in 
the background. Criticised their white faces and 
bellies, the long horns of the cows and the large 
horns of the bulls, their thick hides, not knowing 
that the two latter were the best signs of con- 
stitution and good quality, of which the most 
fashionable Shorthorns were deficient. Bates ob- 
tained a name for breeding superior cattle from 
in-and-in families, at the same time produced 
his best cattle from "outs in the dark," deceiv- 
ing his followers, thus condemning himself and 
destroying his reputation for "pure breeding." 
Although the truth will out, nothing can sup- 
press it, the Bates mania became so strong that 
his disciples were not sufficient judges or ob- 
servers to detect this fraud, or they were de- 
termined to fullv (indorse it. 



IIISTOUY OF IIE1?EF0RD CATTLE 



18J 



The facts wore so plain to a practical breeder, 
ami, wlien coming before the public, though 
startling, tiie more they were stirred, the more 
])lainly tiie proof appeared. The way ilr. Mat- 
tiiews sifted Mr. Bates" pt'digrees in the "Na- 
tional Live Stock Journal" and stating unde- 
niable facts of their mi.xed-up alloys were suflfi- 
cient proof of his intentional misleadings. Judge 
T. C. Jones and J. H. Sanders, publishing these 
articles without comment, were at the same time 
insane on Bates and his '"top crosses," neither 
of them being capable of detecting which alloy 
had the advantage. 

The mania cry was "pure Bates," "absolutely 
pure," and men went headlong into this "pur- 
ity" like maniacs released from an asylum, 
proof of which was so palpable at the New York 
Mills sale, that "he who runs could read." 
Bates and his clique consisted of the men I have 
named ; the tongues and pens of those who had 
but little money were freely exercised by favor 
of those who had. 

Mr. John R. Page was a special pleader. He 
made in-and-in pedigrees pure, assisted by L. 
F. Allen and Ambrose Stevens; to make this 
more sure he sketched very flattering portraits 
of pet animals, and Lewis F. Allen placed them 
in the Herd Book, which was sufficient to create 
an excitement. John R. Page had Just the tools 
to do it. (II 90) (^91) His pencil and ruler 
could draw straight lines out of an original 
crookedness. He had a faultless art of making 
crooked side-lines straight, could make high 
hips low, coarse bone fine, smoothen rough shoul- 
ders, transfer thin necks into prominent neck 
veins; "sweet heads" was a specialty with him, 
as he invariably carries that pattern in his eye, 
and his brain was always addled with it. He 
always patronizes "np-standing style," conse- 
rpiently could not shorten the legs to change 
that character in the fashionable Dukes, but he 
made their bone finer and much out of pro- 
])ortion. John could not make a picture in 
Shorthorns without excessive flattery no matter 
how uneven the original was ; the one on paper 
was all straight lines, and thus they appeared 
in the Herd Book and sale catalogue, which 
were John's principal advertisers, assisted by 
Lewis F. Allen's and Ambrose Stevens' tongues 
and pens. Examine all his pictures there and 
you will find a straight furrow along the back 
of those so-called breeding animals, as if made 
up of blubber and over-ripe for Christmas show. 

Here let me ask any practical man who has 
seen the original Dukes (^ 92) whether they 
ever saw a full neck vein, a smooth shoulder 
point, a straight under-line or full crops on 
either of them — all strong signs of constitution 



and quality? Then look in the Herd Book and 
see how JohnR. Page has straightened them and 
blended each together, so that the picture on 
paper appeared ideal. Can any reasonable man 
see such transactions with such proof before 
him in any other light but that of deception? 
But it fully corresponds with the "ins and outs" 
of the Bates pedigrees, and thus all went hand- 
in-hand. I am exceedingly sorry that the best 
Shorthorns should be abused by novices wdiich 
brought a curse upon them. 

The next position was that John should be 
the Bates auctioneer. I saw him at his first 
appearance on the rostrum sell the noted herd 
of Mr. Haines of Elizabethtown, New Jersey. 
His audience was looking for a strong "opening 
speech"" on the Dukes, and "pure breeding,"' but 
were much disappointed. On going to the scaf- 
fold, raised for his exaltation, all eyes were upon 
him, expecting great things to come to pass in 




BEN HERSHEY 



Hereford Cattle 



the Shorthorn world, and from the tongue of 
him who professed to be "the Herd Book in 
breeches," — the infallible man of Bates. 

No sooner had he shuffled himself into ]30si- 
tion, he stood erect as if studying attitude. In 
this state of mind he resembled an automaton. 
He then moved gracefully, flourishing his right 



186 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



arm lo the assemblage, then, pointing his fore 
finger in vacancy, liis phiz looked beseechingly. 
This was done in silence, to command attention. 
Then came the opening: "Gentlemen," said 
he, with a short pause, "you arc all aware of 
the great importance of the breeding of Bates' 
Shorthorns, and how exceedingly popular I have 
made them in this country and in England, 
and I have the honor of being selected above 
all other men as the sole auctioneer for that 
excellent tribe, the breeders of them knowing 
how thoroughly I am posted in their pedigrees ; 
having every one committed to memory. I can 
vouch for their 
being correct. As 
tliere are many 
in this herd that 
have top crosses 
in Bates I shall 
expect you to bid 
very spiritedly. 
This is all I have 
to say."' He then 
looked gravely 
at his audience, 
but his gravity 
was not that of a 
cynic, for 1 sup- 
pose he felt like 
the ass when 
amongst the 
monkeys, that they were all "making faces at 
him." 

"ISTow, Mr. Haines, have the first animal 
brought before me." 

"There, gentlemen," said John, "is a most 
beautiful animal, one of the most fashionable 
pedigrees (which he read) that a fancy man can 
desire ; she has four top crosses in Bates, by 
Dukes, in-bred to Duchesses, and one in Ox- 
fords. Now, gentlejnen, give me a bid." Si- 
lence ruled for a while. He calmly repeated, 
"Come, gentlemen, give me a bid." The audi- 
ence looked at John and John looked at the 
audience. "I have seen animals not so good as 
that, not so high in Bates, sold for five thou- 
sand dollars. Give me a bid, gentlemen ; she 
is to be sold. Shall I say a thousand dollars for 
you, Mr. L. F. Allen?" who shook his head. 
"You, Mr. F. Rotch ?" who looked over his nose 
on to the ground. "What do you say, friend 
Stevens?" who wriggled in his boots, as if he 
wanted to bid, had he tlie purse to endorse him. 
A gentleman from Rahway offered him $100. 
"Did yoii say one himdred ?" said John ; "I sup- 
pose you meant one thousand — the very lowest I 
expected to be the first bid, but as Mr. Haines 
will not allow any under bidders, and means to 




sell. I suppose I must take it." S. P. Chap- 
man offered $125; there she stood and John 
looked as if he was struck dumb; twisted his 
curled mustache round his fore-finger, hung his 
lower lip, looked solemn, mumbled out in his 
confusion, "Gentlemen, I am surprised at such 
a Bates cow as that going at $135 ; going, go- 
ing — rememl)er. I shall knock tliem down quick- 
ly." One dollar advances were afterwards 
made, until she reached $133 — "going, going, 
gentlemen; I cannot dwell — gone." John 
looked like a mummy rising in a muddle when 
the next animal came out, and the next sale 
went on as in the beginning; he looking inci- 
dentally like a "live auctioneer," until the sale 
was postponed. 

Luther Tucker, Sr., was the "chiel takin" 
notes" for the "Country Gentleman," who ex- 
pected John to bf a shining light, and sustain 
the flattering advertisement he had given him, 
and more fully support the Bates mania. Both 
felt gloomy and forlorn in their unexpected dis- 
appointment. To make a little amend, John 
sketched a flattering picture of the Haines un- 
sold bull, so high up in Bates, to be "transferred 
on stone," to appear in the "Country Gentle- 
mair" at the editor's earliest convenience. When 
it appeared, John's zeal for the Bates mania 
cheeringly revived, and he again considered 
himself the leading star of the Bates clan; his 
cheek added an additional shade of brass, and 
he again felt in his prodigality that he was born 
a wonder, was ready for the second sale, and 
that he was armed and equipped to again urge 
on the Bates fiction with the strictest propriety. 
I am sure that all who attended the Haines 
sale will vouch for the truth of my statement. 

About this time I was preparing a herd of 
seven of the Herefords for the State Show at 
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., the first time I ever fed 
for show, and they were in fine store condition. 
The Shorthorns were always pampered for this 
purpose. The Shorthorn breeders controlled 
that society, demanded high prizes for them, 
which were more in the aggregate than all the 
other breeds pxit together. 

The above gentlemen I have named were the 
leading stars to make premiums and appoint 
judges, and they combined together to shut out 
all opposition to them. I made a plea to the 
coniTnittee for the privilege of showing against 
the Shorthorns. They insisted that I had no 
right to expect to be heard : that the Herefords 
were so far inferior to Shorthorns that they 
coiild not listen to such a preposterous propo- 
sition, notwithstanding my stalls were crowded 
with admirers and with the novelty of seeing 
the "new breed" that the Shorthorns seemed 



HISTORY OF H E K E F U D I' A T T L E 



18: 



slighted l)v tho visitors. 1 was treated as an 
innovator, a braggadocio, or au adventurer im- 
wortliy of notice by the clique; men 1 have 
mentioned looked over the other's shoulders 
and withdrew with a puff; a few good judges 
pronounced them a sujjcrior breed of cattle. 
Luther Tucker, Sr., was quite taken with them, 
and wrote a splendid short article praising 
them highly, for which he received many up- 
braid ings from his pet Shorthorn correspond- 
ents. As there was no Hereford Herd Book 
when I imported them, tliis was held as a plea 
for their not being worthy of showing against 
the Shorthorns, with all their alloys, and many 
made a laughing stock of themselves by abus- 
ing their thick, mellow hides, and turned their 
white faces into ridicule. Then their excuse 
was that it was impossible for judges to decide 
between two breeds. I asked them if there 
was more than one proper standard for a good 
and profitable beefing animal, and whether 
there was not to be found unprejudiced men of 
good, sound, common sense, capable of judging. 
ini])nrlially, a good animal regardless of the 
ijreed. 1 was aware that flesh governed almost 
all judges, but if the Shorthorn men were de- 
termined to pamper, and state societies allowed 
them to do so, Hereford breeders must do the 
same. Shorthorn men would not accept of this. 
Neither would they accept of a challenge. When 
I offered to show four cows and a bull against 
tliem on the show ground, on my own account, 
for $100, they evaded it, well knowing they 
would be beaten under good and impartial 
judges, as I consider three of these cows were 
as good as any of the late importations. One 
was the first prize cow at the Oxford Royal, two 
others first and second at Tredegar, and the 
bull first prize with dam and their offspring. 
Although they had not been pampered, they 
sliowed evenness of flesh, with substance, sym- 
metry and quality; they did not require pam- 
pering to hide their faults in their coarseness, 
or require long legs, long necks, high crests and 
high hips, to make them stylish or fashionable, 

but I OFFEHED TO WEIGH THEM ON THE SCALES 

AT THE SAME AGES. They Considered this "im- 
pudence" in me ; they declined to accept. They 
knew they were beaten and kept aloof, instead 
of embracing the opportunity. I called upon 
the ofTicers of the State Agricultural Society in 
the following letter to the Albany "Cultivator," 
September number, pages 250-53 : 

"I did not intend to have said anything more 
in favor of Herefords, as T had made up ray 
mind to let them take their chance till their 
real value should be proved, but as certain in- 
dividuals are continually boasting of particular 



tribes of Shorthorns, in your paper, 1 am anx- 
ious to see the Herefords brought into fair 
competition with them. I think the State Ag- 
ricultural Societies should do sometliing to 
bring the different breeds to a fair trial. I am 
ready to stand a brush with any breed and in 
any way the society will point out. All I ask 
is a fair field and no favor. Jly idea is that 
some of each breed should be placed in the 
hands of an honest, disinterested jjerson, to try 
the experiment, and the society should pay the 
expenses. An accurate account kept of the 
weight and kind of food consumed; the beef, 
butter, or other products should also be weighed 
and disposed of, and the cattle that yield the 
greatest return from the weight taken at com- 
mencement for cost of food, etc., should be de- 
termined the best. I hope the Executive Com- 
mittee will take this matter into consideration 
and propose an honest trial." 

This, and many other such trials, I offered 
these boasting men of Bates, but not one dared 
to take me up. They were aware that discre- 
tion was the best part of valor, in the position 
in which they were placed. The tongues and 
the pens of these Shorthorn men before named 
had given them a widespread notoriety, and 
their money gave them a partial command ot 
the press. Most of the agricultural editors and 
proprietors were 
poor, and mone\- 
to them was 
tempting. They 
puffed and praised, 
where no praise 
was due, but in 
reality censure 
might have been 
more properly ad- 
ministered. Lewis 
F. Allen strained 
every nerve to 
bring the Short- 
horns, more espe- 
cially Bates, into 
notoriety ; but he 
took great precau- 
tion to keep de- 
grading and more important facts in the dark, 
as Bates did in his pedigrees: took great 
care to keep the best qualities of the Herefords 
out of sight, and exhibit fancied weak points 
conspicuously. 

I refer you to Mr. Allen's fraudulent book 
on cattle. Never were more infamous inten- 
tional mistakes printed on paper. He read 
Youatt, and grounded his artificial knowledge 
of Herefords on this unfounded authority. 




188 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Every one of common sense who read his work 
was aware that his object was to make money 
out of the Shorthorn breeders who paid him for 
his puffing of Shortliorns and condemning 
Herefords (^ 93), by which he liad to stretch 
his conscience, but his self-contradictions in the 
latter partially destroyed the effect which he in- 
tended to convey. This is how all such men 
lose their prestige. Lewis F. Allen, when he 
wrote his book on cattle, had no practical knowl- 
edge of breeding. Had he studied it impartially 
he would have found while praising the Bates 
so highly for purity of blood they had more of 
the alloys, even to "the old black cow," than any 
other breed ; although he pretended to have the 
most horrid abhorrence of the Galloway cross, 
he was aware of tlie improvement, and procured 
it in his repeated mysteries. Still, he stuck to 
it that not a particle of it was in his herd, 




W. S. VAN NATTA, '■HICKORY GROVE," FOWLER, 

IND. 

(First Chairman Herd Book Committee American Hereford 

Cattle Breeders' Association.) 



though Mr. JIatthews, of Virginia, proved con- 
clusively from his own statements in "Bell on 
Bates," and other authority, that such a state- 
ment was utterly false. Lewis F. Allen, who 
was constantly quoting Bell, etc., must have 
been aware of this fact, but he overlooked all 
imperfections in Bates and his breeding. 

AH who have ever read Bell on Bates will 
corroborate Mr. Matthews' articles in the "Na- 



tional Livi' Stock Journal." xillen was, like 
Youatt, determined to upliold the Shorthorns 
with extreme tlattery, at all hazards, although 
he felt too poor to support tliem ; lie patronized 
the Devons because they were cheaper, better 
and more jjrofitable than the noted herd of 
Thos. Bates, who disliked Booth, because he 
beat him in almost every instance when they 
came fairly into competition together. 

Bates was continually condemning Booth 
(II 94) for his Galloway cross, to which Mr. 
Booth openly confessed. Bates contended that 
his "pure bloods" were far above Booth's "al- 
loys," which ought to have been taken into con- 
sideration in the showing. Here lies a serious 
myth. Could it be possible that Bates did not 
know how his cattle were bred at the time he 
made the statement; that all his families pos- 
sessed it? which has since been proved, by his 
own conviction, which his weakness could no 
longer hide, for his general positiveness was one 
of the certain marks of his weak judgment. 
There he. allowed his fancies to rule over reason, 
and thus they ruled over him. When Bates 
showed against Booth he was very desirous of 
having such committees favorably disposed to- 
ward him, and if he did not succeed in this, his 
rage deprived him of his reason, and made him 
a laughing stock, forgetting the old adage, "that 
reason governs the wise man and cudgels the 
fool." It was hard work for his friends to make 
Thos. Bates believe this, and no man living 
can believe contrary to his convictions, or doubt 
"when he is convinced; if he affects to do other- 
wise he deceives himself. 

Thos. Bates proceeded, flattered by his fol- 
lowers, some of which were never more happy 
than when sheltering themselves behind in- 
trigue, proof of which has been ample in the 
sales of Shorthorns in this country. I say 
much of Bates and his followers because I think 
they have done much injury to Shorthorns in 
this country and in England, and it was their 
combined influence intended to injure me and 
the Herefords. 

There are no better men- in the world than 
Shorthorn breeders, and if so many of them 
had not been led away by the farcical Bates, the 
Shorthorns would have been in high re])ute. I 
always liked a good Shorthorn cow, if not pure; 
and I shall be highly pleased to see the best 
contending against the Herefords under com- 
petent judges, who will reward merit where 
it is justly due. It is profitable to have two 
breeds that can contend against each other ; it 
is stimulating to success. 



II IS T O i; Y O !•" 11 1-: 1! K F IM) (' A T T L K 



18!) 



r.VKT 1\. 

All who havf rrail the tli'seription of Lewis 
F. Alk'n"s coiiipariiioii of the Herefonls and the 
Siiorthorns in his book on cattle must have 
been satisliod of his extreme prejiidiee against 
the former. It was eertainly distinetly plain 
to all who read it that it must have been written 
to give a very unfavorable impression of the 
abused Herefords. [Allen did not mention the 
name of Sotham in his book, purporting to 
be a history of cattle breeds entitled "Ameri- 
can Cattle," referring to Mr. Sotham as "an 
Eiiglislunan.'' T. L. M.] He tried to make it 
appear that those I sent to the East from Al- 
bany had no reputation, while, in fact, tlie 
steers bred from the bulls I sold to Mr. Bing- 
ham, of Vermont, and others, stood higher in 
the Boston market than any other, and were 
much sought after by the butchers, although 
only half-bred. 

i refer you to a letter from Mr. Gregory, in 
the Albany "Cultivator" of 1851, page 305. 
He says: "A car-load of two-year-old Hereford 
steers, on ordinary keeping, astonished the Bos- 
ton buyers and butchers, and sold higher per 
])ound than any other." What could L. F. Al- 
len have been thinking of when he tried 
to injure those Herefords which he said the 
Englishman (meaning W. H. Sotham) sent to 
A'ermont and Maine? He knew when he wrote 
that pretended history that he was deviating 
from the truth. I sold several to go to Maine, 
where they succeeded admirably. 

He knew full well the full history of the 
importation of Mr. Coming and myself; fre- 
quently sympathized with me for the loss we 
had sustained at sea, but I always mistrusted 
his svmpathy was feigned for a selfish purpose, 
and so it ultimately proved. His object was to 
obtain the Herefords, if possible, and applied to 
Mr. Corning to see if he could purchase them, 
by giving him time, but Mr. C. informed him 
tiiat if the Herefords were sold that I should 
have the advantage, and at half the price he 
would sell them to anyone else. 

ilr. L. F. Allen did not dream of the state- 
ments he made, for he k-new the whole particu- 
lars. He knew I was dependent on Mr. Com- 
ing's generosity. He came to see me at Albany 
and went to see the Herefords (^ 95). Mr. 
Corning told him that I should have them as 
above stated. Mr. Allen had been in the Legis- 
lature, was a prolific speaker at every meeting 
connected with agriculture, generally chief 
spokesman, and was never more happy than 
when upon his legs and his tongue going. 
Tiidcr the circumstances 1 confided in what 




he told me. ""^'ou buy the Herefords," said he, 
"take them up to Black Kock. My brother will 
sell you his cows, eighteen in number, his cans, 
and half of the team and wagon, which draw his 
and my milk to Buffalo. The milk business is 
good, you can soon pay for the cows from their 
milk, and the Herefords will sell there. The 
timothy grows as high as the fence, the shady 
pastures are always good; you cannot help but 
make money, and you and I can send up our 
milk together, as my 
brother and I have 
done." This struck 
me as an excellent 
opening. I made the 
purchase and took 
possession — sent uj) 
my milk with L. F. 
Allen; but I soon 
found out that the 
demand for it was 
not so good as repre- 
sented, the price low- 
er, and, for the first 
time, I began to sus- 
pect that the Aliens 
were getting out of it 
on that account; but 
I got on in the best (a large 
way I could. My 
milk paid my expenses and a little over. In 
about a year I sold to E. L. Allen two Here- 
ford heifer calves, to be sent to Cuba, the price 
of which about half paid for the Allen cows. 
He purchased at the same time about six Short- 
horns of L. F. Allen. They were all shipped 
together to New York; from there by E. L. 
Allen to Cuba. The whole of the Shorthorns 
died on the voyage, and the two Herefords were 
the only ones that landed safely. This Mr. A. 
B. Allen published in the "Agriculturist," 
when he was its editor. 

After trying the milk business one year, in 
connection with the Herefords, I found the ob- 
ject of Mr. L. F. Allen getting me there was to 
get his brother as well out of it as he could, 
and give him a chance to get some of the Here- 
fords, of which I sold him three — a bull, a cow 
and a heifer calf. He took these three to Al- 
bany, with the whole of his Shorthorns, with 
one of the most flattering advertisements in 
the Albany "Cultivator and Country Gentle- 
man" that was ever put into print, and a com- 
ment made by the editor of the high value of 
this herd of the editor of the "Shorthorn Herd 
Book." All of the Shorthorns that were sold at 
the sale were two, purchased by Mr. Geo. A^ail, 
of Troy, whose sale was soon to follow, and the 



BRITTEN. 
HEREFORD, ENG. 

xporter of Herefords 
to America.) 



190 



ttlSTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 




caUse of "his bliyiiig; aS hfe tSl^ fflfe iiliisiqiielitly, 
was te iia^etiriige L. f. Allen, and a few weeks 
aflbr they were included in his sale. The Here- 
fords were the only ones for which he received 
the cash. Mr. Erastus Corning, Jr., seeing 
Rarity among such a miserable lot of Short- 
horns of the "Allen displa.vi" Whi'ch tnose who 
eaWf* th'ptp lp-^|3t^Cled to see from the flaming ad- 
Wrli'sement, bought her for $100. And Baron 
DeLonegdale, of Kingston, Canada, purchased 
the bull and heifer. 

I must deviate from my subject here to tell 
you that L. F. Allen was not only ft VRfv, eare- 
U'SS fefe'e'cier,' but a 
most miserable 
feeder, to which 
I was witness. I 
did not see a 
spring while 1 was 
at Black Rock hut 
manv of hiy cdttlti 
had ■ to he lifted 
up by the tail ill 
theif Weakness. 
This Wds the CdsS 
the sairie sJJriiig he 
BiRht his Short- 
horns to Albany 
for sale, hence 
their miserable 
appearance. The 
best Shorthorns 
are an excellent breed, but it is just such novices 
as these, under the false pretense of breed- 
ers, who have destroyed their reputation. 
The clan of Bates men, of which I have 
before named, have been a direct curse to 
the Shorthorn breed. J. H. Sanders, and 
Judge T. C. Jones, who were supposed by 
tnany to be "somewhat sound," proved them- 
selves to have been almost insane. The latter 
does not know which horn of the dilemma 
to hang his hat upon, "Booth or Bates." Here 
it was where he got himself while recently in 
England. He is now in a quandary as to which 
side he had better take, and Sanders is in the 
same situation as to discover the best way to 
advise him. 

It is these novices I have described, and oth- 
ers of the same sort, that have injured the 
Shorthorns. The breed itself is a good one when 
in the hands of good and practical men ; and it 
is proper to have two such breeds as Herefords 
and Shorthorns to contend against each other. 
If I was put on as judge of the two breeds I 
would give it to the best animal and to the best 
of my judgment, notwithstanding some men 
suppose I qm prejudiced against Shorthorns. I 



i. U. bI'RLeigh. 

MECHAKICSVILLE, lA. 
tFftrt^ J^*ars a Hereford breeder.) 



fiia.y Haw a dislike te the mnm 1 hdv^ mm^A 

that have aWsed the ShBrthbrtiS; htit 1 vduei 
the best of the breed; and I have freqiiehtly 
been told by some of the best breeders of Shott- 
horns that I havfi done them nwwh ttibre good 
tHttii tha^g HaUeriiig sorihys who had not hmm 

enough to sustain what they wrote. 

I found that the supply of milk in Buffalo 
was greater than the demand, and when re- 
duced to two cents per quart there was no profit. 
At this critical point Lewis F. Allen and his 
farm manager fell oi.it, and ft dii^pnte SfMSI^ lli^= 
l\V?l?H theih that could not be settled without a 
lawsuit; at the same time the Grand Island 
farm milk had obtained a bad reputation, and 
as my milk was sent up with it, and the sour 
milk returned was divided in proportion to the 
number of gallons of each, I supposed there 
was something more than common the matter, 
HH I had so much coming to my share. 

Whotipver I Went to Buftalo tlie (jiistofflGrg 
always told hie that my caiis, whit-h had a spol 

of solder <6ti each, lo distinguish tlletii frOiii Li 
JF. Allen's-, WBri alwdyp sM'tet flild gobd [uatlW- 
ally attrlhuted to the richness of the Hereford 
milk; T. L. M.], While those without the spot 
were always not only inferior but often sour 
before half was sold. The lawsuit came on be- 
tween Allen and his man, and I was present 
through the whole trial. Mr. John Townsend, 
his foreman, produced his witncssee to ptove 
that he had dnlip his duty faithfully, and Mr. 
Alleil produced his to defeat their testimony. 
After the former had brought all in, the wit- 
nesses of the latter came. The first on the stand 
swore as follows : "Do you work for Mr. Al- 
len ?" "I do." "In what capacity ?" "I milk 
part of the cows, and help take charge of the 
milk." "What did you do with the milk after 
you put it into the cans?" "We stood the cans 
in the river up to their necks ; the night's milk 
went to Buffalo in the morning, and the morn- 
ing in the evening ; we put ice in the cans to 
cool it." "AVhat else did you do?" "We took 
off the cream." "By what orders did you take 
off the cream?" "By Mr. Allen's." "Did he 
ever go with you to do this?" "Yes." "Did he 
say that it was all right ?" "Sometimes he told 
us we did not take off enough, and showed us 
how to do it." "What did you do with the 
cream ?" "Mrs. Townsend made butter." 
"^Vhat did you do with the butter?" 
"Part of it was kept for the use of the 
house on the farm, and the other was sent 
to Mr. Allen's house." The second witness was 
called, whose name was Edward. He was the 
second person who milked and helped take care 
of the milk; he principally corroborated thes 



HIS T O R Y !<' ] 1 E K E F K D C A T T L E 



1!)1 



Fornier'ii statement. Then eame the man who 
drove the team and delivered the milk to the 
customers, who was a German. "Do you take 
the milk of Mr. .\llen to market?" "1 do." 
"'Was there any eoinplaint of his milk anioiii,' 
the fu.stomers ■'■" "There was. Mr. Allen told 
them that his man did not send the milk from 
the farm aecording to orders." "Did you take 
>ip the milk of ilr. Sotham at the same time?" 
"1 did." "Was there any complaint about his 
milk?" "No; all the customers wanted the 
cans with the spot on it, as all sold before it 
became sour." "What did you do with the sour 
milk?" "It came back and I measured and 
])ut some in both cans, to be divided according 
to the agreement made by Mr. S. and Mr. A. 
Mr. Allen collected the money every week and 
paid Mr. S. his share, deducting the number 
of gallons of sour according to the number of 
gallons taken up." This settled my determina- 
tion to quit the milk business, as I could rely 
on the just testimony given, and the witnesses 
are now living in the neighborhood of Black 
IJock and Buffalo, who will vouch for the facts 
just as I have stated them. I then began to 
look out for other quarters for the Herefords, 
but my means were limited, the times were very 
hard, I had gotten into debt, and I had not the 
ready cash, without sacrificing my Herefords to 
meet them or to procure suitable fresh quarters. 

The late banker, Hon. Allen Ayrault, of Gen- 
esee, X. Y., came to see the Herefords, having 
two splendid farms of his own, and command 
of the late Mr. Spence's, near Geneseo. He 
probably was one of the best judges of cattle 
in that part of the country, and made more 
money by feeding the best than any man in that 
]iart of the country. Some of the most promi- 
nent graziers in the United States are located 
in this valley. Such gentlemen as the late Mr. 
Jas. Wadsworth, Dr. Fitzhughs, Mr. C. Jones, 
the late Mr. Wm. Wadsworth, the Messrs. Bud- 
long, Judge Siblev, and other wealthy graziers, 
took very active parts, all of whom thoroughly 
understood their business and who owned some 
of the best land for grazing of any men in the 
Union. 

The Genesee Flats are as well known through 
the United States as any other part of it. 
Although a very circuitous, muddy stream 
winds its way through this fertile valley, it was 
the means by wdiich it was enriched. When the 
floods came the sediment remained as a fertil- 
izer, and the water did not remain long enough 
to do very much damage, and the occupants 
were generallv prepared for it. I knew the 
country well and felt it would be Just the coun- 
try for the Herefords. 



Mr. Ayrault was highly pleased with the cat- 
tle. He said he had previously seen them at 
State Fairs, but he said that the Shorthorns 
had got such a strong hold, were so strongly 
supported by rich men, that Herefords could 
have no chance. He viewed them very closely 
in their pastures, and said, "what do you feed 
these cattle beside what they get here?" I told 
him the grass was all they had. He seemed to 
doubt me, but did not say so. "To tell you the 
truth, Mr. Ayrault, I have not the means to 
buy forcing feed for them, and if I had, I do 
not l)elicve they require it. They, like myself, 
are willing to work for their living, and they 
will live upon the roughest kind of feed, which 
you see growing in these pastures." 

He proposed a loan and again looked them 
through very steadfastly, and said: "Money 
is exceedingly tight now, and chattel security 
very treacherous. I will make a proposition to 
you. There is a very nice cow ;" pointing to my 
best three-year-old. "If you will give me that 
cow, and drive all the others over to Geneseo, I 
will rent you the best flat land there is in the 
valley, a portion of the late Major Spence's 
splendid farm, at a very reasonable rate. Ke- 
member, it is a 
very hard matter 
to get money now. 
You may not get 
such a chance 
again." I asked 
him if he would 
not take some 
other cow than 
the one he had 
fixed upon ; that 
she was my best 
cow and was 
named (Anne) 
after my wife, and 
that I considered 
her as good a cow 
as there was in 
America. He said, 
"I am better 
'fixed' to put luT 
in condition than you are. I think it will 
be an advantage to you. It is worth more 
money than you would ask for her in these 
close times." The Genesee Flats were very 
tempting, and I thought such grass would 
so much improve the Herefords that I accepted 
the offer. Mr. Ayrault drew a check for the 
money, and I made arrangements to leave Black 
Rock, and more especially L. F- AUen and the 
milk business. 




WALTER M. MORGAN, 
IRVING. KAN. 
(Forty years a breeder of Here- 
fords.) 



193 



II I S T E Y OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



TART V. 

It was a hard blow to part with my favorite. 
Not onlj' was she the best cow I had, but I be- 
lieve she was as good a one as I ever saw. Noth- 
ing could have induced me to part with her had 
I the means to carry me through. I went back 
with him to look at the pastures, and found 
them all that he had represented, and rented 
a house in the village of PifEard. I felt satis- 
fied that the Herefords would get fat in those 
pastures "without cake or corn." 

I got the Herefords together and drove them 
myself to Geneseo, glad to leave Allen and the 
milk business, 
with the privilege 
of his abusing the 
Herefords and my- 
self to his heart's 
content, and that 
he, Ambrose Stev- 
ens, and John R. 
Page, might enjoy 
themselves making 
pedigrees to suit 
their own inclina- 
tions, and that the 
latter might make 
all crooked lines 
straight as con- 
veniently as he 
could stretch out 
his conscience to 
flatter the picture, beyond the original, to its 
fullest extent. These were my thoughts as 
1 traveled slowly behind my cattle to their 
new home, and wondered how thinking men 
could be led away by such vain pretenders, who 
in reality could not discover quality in the live 
animal, and were too indolent to follow them to 
the shambles. 

Without the practical knowledge of "hand- 
ling" (by "scientifics" called "the touch") no 
man can become a judge or successful breeder. 
It is very difficult to discover real worth from 
tinsel, and it is certain that wrong will always 
bring its own punishment, therefore I will leave 
these worthies in their flatteries and fiction in 
their full enjoyment and proceed on my way 
to a better harbor, where prejudice is not so 
strong and judgment more matured. What 
struck me more forcibly was that this trio 
should be so conceitedly vain as to attempt to 
teach others so much better informed than 
themselves. 

It has been very unfortunate for Shorthorn 
breeders to have such men to lead them into 
visionarv scheminsj; and recklessness beyond con- 




WILLIAM A. MORGAN, 

IRVING, KAN., 

of the firm of W. A. .Morgan & Son. 



trol. E.xcitement led them on to speculation, 
pride stimulated them to worship pedigree, and 
in their moneyed power rode the hobby with 
whip and spur, not having the judgment to 
discover the true valuable points to constitute 
a perfect beefing animal, which leaves their 
faith intact, and their knowledge of quality 
only a sham. If Shorthorns are still held up 
I must do my best to meet them. 

As I traveled through the country I was 
asked all manner of questions, most of them too 
tedious to be answered. I turned my cattle 
into their pastures, which were luxuriant, and 
the following morning Mr. Ayrault drove in 
with his splendid pair of dappled greys. The 
cattle had filled themselves sjjlendidly, some of 
them resting themselves from their journey, and 
sleeping in the sun. "Mr. Sotham, I like your 
cattle very much; they are just what we want 
on our rich flats. There are many rich men 
here, and I shall have much pleasure in driving 
them here to see them ; most of them visit me 
frequently. I will send my man for my cow 
to-morrow. She is a good one, is she not?" 
"I should like you to show me a better amongst 
all your rich men," was my answer. I delivered 
the cow to his man, who drove her to his farm, 
and in the midst of a heavy shower put her into 
a luxuriant clover pasture, where she bloated 
and died, and when opened had a heifer calf, 
within six weeks of calving. If some Short- 
horn men had had such a truly valuable cow as 
this die, they would have said they had lost 
$10,000. When the news came to me, if I had 
lost one of my children I could not have felt 
more dejected. I thought fate was against me. 
After they had been there about a month I never 
saw cows improve faster or fatter calves by their 
sides — not one but was first-class beef or veal. 
The heifers not sucking were thriving too fast. 

Mr. Ayrault drove into the pastures, sur- 
veyed the cattle with scrutinizing eye. "Well, 
sir," said he, "I have been reading your articles 
in the Albany "Cultivator and Country Gentle- 
man" very carefully. Your reply to Mr. Henrv 
S. Randall is practically magnificent. I think 
□either he nor Judge Hepburn will trouble you 
again. That letter is a grand help to the 
Herefords, and I suppose all you say is true." 
"Mr. Ayrault," I said, "I always endeavor to 
write the truth, without which no man is capa- 
ble of entering into a controversy. Mr. H. S. 
Randall is a prolific and classical writer. Judge 
Hepburn a rich and prominent man on the 
bench, but my opinion is that neither of them 
has sufficient knowledge of Herefords to write 
against them. I know nothing of the classics, 
and but little of grammar, and advance mv 



II 1 s T () i; Y OF UK i; ]•; ford c a t t l k 



193 



opinions in my own way, and in plain language. 
Have you seen the letter of Wm. Kingham ?" 
"Yes, 1 have. You could not have had a 
lietter endorser. Although he is not a classi- 
cal writer, he certainly is a very practical man, 
and seems to write facts." 1 will here copy the 
letter. 

[We omit the letter of Mr. Kingham, which 
we have reproduced heretofore in Chapter XI. 
— T. L. M.] 

Mr. Ayrault asked me if I would not sell him 
my best bull for $100. "If you will do so I will 
have his picture taken and my name shall be 
])ut under him as the owner, which will go far to 
help you, and you know as you are situated you 
cannot afford to pay for that ])icture." I asked 
him what I should do for a bull to show at the 
State Fair at the head of my herd. "Y'our 
voung bull is good enough," said he, "and my 
name appearing in the paper under the picture 
(1^ 96) of Tromp will do you great service. I 
am so well known amongst cattlemen and have 
great influence with some of them. I lend 
them money to buy the cattle they take to Xew 
■"I'ork market. Remember, the cow I got for 
lending you the money, died, from which I had 
no benefit; you must sell me the bull lower on 
that account." "Had your man known enough 
not to have turned her into that wet, young 
clover the cow would have been still living, 
which you must be aware.'' This he admitted. 

I consented to let him have the bull, though 
I thought him worth double the money. Tromp 
was put in the "Cultivator,'' but his picture did 
not do him justice. The State Show at Roches- 
ter came. The prizes were as they always had 
lieen. half in value and half in number, that 
for Shorthorns. Mr. Ayrault beat me in hulls, 
but I gained most of the others in Herefords, 
l)ut they were not sufficient to pay the expenses. 
Many who had a strong passion for red had a 
forcible efTecting prejudice against any other 
color: condemned their white faces and lonir 
horns. The Shorthorn men were exceedingly 
jealous of them as rivals. L. F. Allen was there 
and blew his horn loud and long. Themajorityof 
the Executive Committee were Shorthorn men. 
or influenced by them: many had lieen so from 
the commencement of the Xew York State Ag- 
ricultural Society. It developed that the object 
of my money-lending friend was to get these 
cattle of me by degrees at very low prices. His 
constant plea was that chattel mortgages were 
very precarious, and that I must consider it a 
very great favor to have money lent upon one. 
I sold him two heifers to apjily on the debt, for 
$()0 each, about half as much as they were really 
worth. Mv calves were not in the mortgage, so 



1 .sold a bull and a heifer calf to a gentleman 
for $"^00, and the gentleman drove them off. 
I went to Mr. Ayrault and paid $125 of it on 
my debt. "Why, you had no right to sell any- 
thing without first consulting me. I shall send 
my man and have them driven back again." 
His lawyer lived next door, whom he consulted, 
who subsequently informed me that he in- 
formed him that I had a perfect right to sell 
those calves, and apply the money as I thought 
proper. "Xow, sir, if you sell another calf of- 
either sex out of that herd I will have them all 
sold.'" 

This transaction made quite a stir in Geneseo 
and the neighborhood. Xow, my money-lending 
friend was known by the familiar name of "Old 
Slikey."' Xumerous men came to caution me 
against "Slikey 's" tyranny, and told me of 
many he had ruined by lending money and tak- 
ing advantage of them. Beware of "Old Slikey" 




CHAS. B. STl'ART. L.AFAVETTE, INTI 

(Framer of the American Hereford Cattle Dreedus Afft,- 

ciation's Rules and By-Laws.) 

was constantly brought before me. "He will 
catch you iinawares, as is his custom." I felt 
that I was in a very precarious situation. I 
realized this to be the ca.se, for he foreclosed, 
the sale was advertised, and i)efnre I knew of it. 
the bills were out and the sale was to take place 
ten davs from the date of the i)ill. 



194 



H I S T O E Y OF H £ E E F E D CATTLE 



My case was soon noised abroad, and many 
came to see me, knowing that I was fully in the 
clutches of "Old Slikey, the money-shaver,"' 
and I received much sympathy. Amongst these 
gentlemen was Mr. Murray, of Mount Morris, 
but a few miles from Geneseo, and who well 
knew the shaving principle of "Old Slikey." 1 
told him my situation and showed him the cat- 
tle. Although he was a perfect gentleman in 
every particular, he was no judge of cattle, but 
he admired them very much. He inquired how 
much was the indebtedness, which I showed 
him. He offered to lend me the money. Mr. 
Murray was a large capitalist and a true phi- 
lanthropist. We 
talked the matter 
all over and con- 
cluded that it 
wiiuld be much 
lu'tter to let "Old 
Slikey" sell under 
mortgage, and to 
rail my friends to- 
i;i'thcr, which I 
iliil. The day came 
and I found that I 
w as surrounded by 
friends who were 
all strangers to 
"Slikey." He drove 
up to the crowd 
with his pair of 
dappled greys and addressed his auctioneer. 
Their faces were familiar to each other. 
"Go on with the sale," said "Slikey." The 
first cow was put up. The money-lender 
was the first bidder — $50. The biddings were 
spirited, and she was knocked down to Mr. 
Murray at $165. "Slikey" looked around with 
a little surprise, and seeing strangers he could 
not recognize he did not know what to make of 
it. Tlie next cow came ; the banker offered $50, 
slie ran up to $162, and was knocked down to 
Mr. John Lapham, of Penn Yan, N. Y. The 
next came a very good cow, and known to be 
a verv great favorite of "Slikey's," who put her 
in at $75, then bid up to $i00. There she 
stood for a while; Mr. Murray bid $150. Hon. 
E. Casner, of Penn Yan, bought her for $175. 
"Slikey" looked around with astonishment. Al- 
though, when he alighted from his carriage he 
looked as slick as "Beau Brummel" ever did 
look, and as he viewed the crowd, he found he 
had some substantial men around him. 

Another cow was ordered in, with a young 
heifer calf ; a wag inquired if the calf was in 
the mortgage. "Slikey" looked at him, and said, 
"T\^hat business have vou to make any remarks. 




EDWIN PHELPS, PONTIAC. 
MICH. 



sir ; 1 know my business." "So do I," said the 
wag, "and if the cow and calf is to be sold sep- 
arately, and I buy the calf, I want to know who 
I am ^0 pay my money to." All understood 
this thrust at "Old Slikey,"' and the laugh was 
loud and hearty. He stood erect, as if before 
the glass after fixing his toilet. At length he 
said, "The cow and calf will be sold together." 
The wag said, "Will Mr. Sotham agree to that 
without being consulted?" "Slikey" was all 
confusion. He began to feel that the public 
knew the secrets of his heart. The cow was of 
the first-class, and "Slikey" often wanted me to 
sell her to him before she calved, at $100. There 
was but little choice in ten of them. The cow 
and calf were put up together. "Slikey" put them 
in at $100. Mr. Murray offered $200 ; Mr. Cas- 
ner $210; Mr. Lapham $220; "Old Slikey" 
$225 ; Robert Rome, the well-known cattle 
buyer of Geneseo, $230; "Slikey" $240; Mr. 
Murray $250, and she was knocked down to him 
among loud cheers from the crowd, and this 
was the highest price I ever sold a Hereford. 

At this juncture Mr. Murray and Mr. Casner 
came to me and asked if I wanted to have any 
more sold. I told them that I could not help 
myself. "You go tell the banker that you will 
have no more sold," which I did. He looked 
almost black in the face. "What right have you 
to stop the sale? there is not much over half 
enough sold to pay your indebtedness of mort- 
gages and rent. I am surprised at your impu- 
dence, sir." There were lots of listeners around 
to hear what was going to be done. He looked 
at me as contemptuously as he well knew how. 
"Go on with the sale, Mr. Auctioneer ; but little 
over half of the indebtedness is yet reached." 
Mr. Murray and Mr. Casner stepped up to him 
and told him to make up the balance of Mr. 
Sotham's indebtedness, and they would pay it. 
The "shaving banker" knew not which way to 
look ; all eyes were upon him. 



PART VL 

I have not said much of Mr. Francis Rotch. 
of Butternuts, Otsego County, a retired banker, 
and a follower of Bates, a pet scribe of the Al- 
bany "Cultivator and Country Gentleman." He 
was also somewhat of an artist — sketched many 
animals for the paper — though they were not 
so highly flattered as those of John R. Page. 
He was about generalissimo of these papers and 
took the junior editor, Luther Tucker, Jr., 
under his care. He made much of him, and he 
frequently visited him at his farm. He advised 
his father to send "young Luther"" to England, 



H 1 S T 1{ Y O F II 1-: R E F R D C A 'J' T L E 



195 



and the "Bates ring" promised to do much for 
him. 

Luther Tucker, Jr., was then but a stripling, 
hut being tlie son of a very worthy father, whose 
cliaraeter for integrity and truth was well 
known, was an advantage to him. He managed 
through Mr. Bates and others, to whom he had 
introductory letters, to obtain a good showing 
off. He became acquainted with the "Druid," 
a gentleman who wrote much for the "Mark 
Lane Express." At that time Luther wrote some 
communication for the paper, copying as near 
as his ability would admit, the Druid style ; tried 
to imitate his style, and in his deep study im- 
paired his constitution for a while, which com- 
pelled him to give it up. LTltimately the young 
man began to think himself out of his "leading 
strings ;"" he could adopt a style and language 
of his own. He praised Bates highly for favors 
received, gave him a puff in the "Cultivator," 
and returned to America to take the position as 
junior. A short time had elapsed before he 
]iaid Mr. Roteh a visit, who at that time had a 
pure Bates bull, which he contemplated sending 
to England to catch the enthusiastic followers 
of Bates, whose mania was nearly at full height. 
The junior editor in his youthful state was in 
ecstasy when flattered by such a man as Fran- 
cis Rotch, Esq., of Butternuts, whom he sup- 
posed stood so high in the Bates ring and was 
very wealthy. "But what went he out for to 
see ? A reed shaken with the wind," or a Bates 
bull he had so jiartially extolled in England. 
The truth was evident. They went to the stable 
and the bull was ordered out. About this time 
the strongest objection to the Dukes were their 
coarseness and sluggishness, even by the most 
imaginative of Bates men. "Now," says Mr. 
Rotch, "I want to show you the activity of this 
bull so you can explain to the public that the 
sluggishness of Shorthorns is unfounded." 

The bull was brought out. He described him 
as follows : "He came out of his stall with his 
head and his tail up." As he was led to and 
fro Mr. Rotch said, "Did you ever see such ac- 
tivity in a bull of his great size ?" "Xo, never," 
said the junior editor. "He can move like a race 
horse, his action is extremely good ; he has such 
a beautiful high crest he cannot help but move 
actively, more especially with his large size, 
large bon-.^ and large, long legs; he is ex- 
tremely active." 

"See what a loin he has," said Mr. Rotch. 

"And look at his high hips," said the other ; 
"that in horses is an indication of speed." 

"Look what a cupboard he carries ; that is 
what we want to make beef." said ^fr. Rotch. 

"Then look what a slender waist he has; more 



like a Duchess than a Duke," said the editor. 

Although this may not be exactly the same 
language as was published in the "Cultivator," 
it is so near that it would be folly for anyone 
to dispute it, and I can refer to the original. 
After it appeared I wrote a criticism of this ri- 
diculous, supposed-puff for Rotch, but it was 
refused publication. I sent it to the "Mark 
Lane Express," where it was published. Wm. 
Carr, who wrote that interesting book on the 
Booth Shorthorns, embraced the opportunity 
and commented upon it, part in poetry and part 
in prose, in which Mr. Rotch's bull was eulo- 
gized as coming to England (][ 97), and the 
junior editor of the "Cultivator" was coming 
with him to ride him to fox-hounds to show his 
activity as a Bates Duke. The poem was a 
laughable one, which I am sorry to say was 
burned up with my furniture in the Chicago fire. 

This bull that Mr. Rotch anticipated sending 
to England was one of the coarsest Dukes of 
those exciting Bates times. Here let me say, 
that there was no man in this country I more 
highly esteemed than Luther Tucker, Sr. He 
was a purely honest man, and I believe a sin- 
cere Christian ; but the Bates mania overpow- 
ered him. He had his family to supjiort and it 

was his duty to do 

it. I never could 
properly blame 
the senior editor. 
The Bates mania 
afforded him a 
profit, and he en- 
couraged it. He 
was not to blame. 
The Shorthorns 
were very valuable 
cattle, but the 
Bates mania was 
a curse to them, 
which all who 
read must have 
learned, and those 
who adopted it 
found it a curse to the community. After 
the New York State show at Poughkeepsie 
the following editorial appeared from the 
pen of that worthy gentleman, Luther Tucker, 
Sr., editor of the "Albany Cultivator and 
Country Gentleman." I copy verbatim from 
the "Cultivator and Country Gentleman," 
liage 312, October number, 1844: "Herefords. 
— The only specimens in this class were eleven 
head from the capital herd of Messrs. Corning 
& Sotham, Albany. These were splendid ani- 
mals. The two-year-old bulls and bull calf, 
which were all of the masculine gender exhib- 




H. C. BURLEIGH, 
VASSALBORO, ME. 



196 



HISTOEY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



ited, were good. They had fine limbs, very spa- 
cious chests, round bodies, etc. Several of the 
cows were very extraordinary. 'Perfection" is 
one of the most massive cows of her age to be 
found anywhere, and 'Aston Beauty' and 'Vic- 
toria' 1075, for beauty and finish, can scarcely 
be surpassed, if equaled. It is but justice to 
say that no animals on tlie ground excited more 
praise than these." 

I called upon this worthy and impartial edi- 
tor (H 98) and thanked him for the high com- 
pliment he had paid our cattle, and told him 




TOM. C. PONTING. MOWEAQUA, ILL. 
(The first man lo drive Texas rattle to New York.) 

that I thought he had told the truth. 1 asked 
him why the Society would not allow me to 
show against the Shorthorns. He told me that 
"it was impossible for anyone to say less of 
them, for their superiority was apparent, but 
the Shorthorns had become so strongly estab- 
lished in this country that it was almost im- 
possible to contend against them. Your letters 
have been very pointed, although I publish 
them. The Shorthorn breeders thought they 
were very severe, and my son, who you know 
has Just returned from England, and is now a 
partner, is averse to having them published. 
He speaks so liighly of Mr. Bates and the hos- 
pitality he met with at his house, that he is 
highly impressed in favor of the Bates tribes, 
and you know how high they stand in this 
country now." 

Whether the son had any influence with the 
father T had not heard, but there has never 
been an editorial in favor of Herefoi'ds since 
that time. 



After my article was refused publication in 
tlie "Cultivator," I met the junior editor, but 
he looked cross-eyed at me. I began to joke him 
about the Rotch Duke, but he made himself 
scarce. A Shorthorn breeder, not of the Bates 
clan, was present. I said I intended to 
have asked him if he was going to take the 
Bates clique with him to England to see the 
bull take his fences in a style becoming his 
action, as it was admitted by all of tliat clan 
that they were "all stylish; that their heads 
and tails were always up," and legs long enough 
to get over the ground. Xo editor could be 
more conspicuously situated than to be thus 
placed, for all the Dukes, Duchesses, Lords and 
Ladies in England would be there to witness 
such a transaction, and the example would be 
great for all such editors to follow. 

The poem of \Vm. Carr, and the comic way 
he described "view halloo" and "bull bellow," 
was one of the most laughable productions of 
the kind that was ever written. It stirred up 
the wrath of all belonging to the Bates mania, 
as the poem was founded upon my article. 

Auctioneers were more in demand, the ring 
became more excited, sales more frequent, coun- 
tirfeit prices were ol)tained to make the Bates 
mania popular. Pedigree was all in all. "Pedi- 
gree, oh, pedigree, thou art my darling, we 
I'raise thee, we worship thee, we give thanks to 
thee with sincere affection. Bates, the great 'I 
Am" is pure, he has no 'alloy," he detests it, and 
we, his devoted followers, endorse him."' Such 
were the views and actions of this devoted 
tribe. 

Thus went on tlie battle. Shorthorn breed- 
ers of Bates tribes were seen traveling all over 
the country, to consult each other, as the Here- 
fords must be kept down at all hazards, regard- 
less of their true merit. The ring was contin- 
ued and none admitted unless in secret. Bates 
Shorthorns must go up above any other tribe, 
and the Herefords must be put down; there 
was no other alternative. Expense was no ob- 
ject; the time had come for the Bates men to 
be up and stirring; every man must be at his 
])ost when necessary. Every flunky belonging 
to the ring must do his duty. The editor of the 
'■'Shorthorn Herd Book" must add flattering no- 
tices to the preface of his book ; Ambrose Ste- 
vens' wits must be stirred up to aid him ; Page's 
pencil and lirush must be kept going, and, if 
possible, in more flattering style ; nothing must 
lie left undone that can be done. 

Such was just the state of things when the 
unexpected panic came. The Bates men 
dropped off financially, one after another. 
Imaginarv rich men failed, on whom not the 



H I STO 1? V 



U E K K F O R i) C A 'J' 'J' L E 



197 



least suspicion rcsti'il, c.xcuitt rruiii tliu inaniar 
prices given, wliicli, in the minds of prudciil 
men, was a eaution to ])rev('iil tiieni I'rom enter- 
ing into tiiis mad extreme of s])eeulation so con- 
trary to reason and prudeiiee. Being supjiorted 
by men of supposed moneyed intluenec was (Ik' 
principal cause of its long continuance. Even 
now some of the aristocracy of England con- 
tinue the farce, but they, like their fat calvo, 
decline as the "milk fails." Those who laid 
great stress on the traveling exhibition of the 
"Bijou" and the "White Heifer," knew nothing 
of the rules of good breeding, or they might 
have known at once that both of these animals 
were very injurious patterns by which novices 
in breeding wished to guide them. Every de- 
scription of them has been of extreme coarse- 
ness of frame and softness of flesh, and a 
paunch purposely made to consume expensive 
provender without profit. 

^lark how the ])rains of L. F. Allen and Am- 
brose Stevens used this supposed elevation of 
the Shorthorns — this port<ible caravansary, con- 
taining the show ox and white heifer as an 
example of exaltation in "American Shorthorn 
Herd Book" (page 5 or 6 of Vol. II). What 
would either of tliese gentlemen say now should 
they see an exact picture of either, without flat- 
tery, transferred to the "American Shorthorn 
Herd Book"' to compare with the flattering ones 
of Jolm R. Page? 

When all of these flattering gentlemen speak 
of these "wonderful animals" they think "they 
struck ile,"' at the same time the Messrs. Col- 
lings were taking a cross with the Galloways to 
reduce the Uurhams" coarseness and improve 
their quality. Both were overgrown, overfec! 
and forced to the extreme to create wonder, by 
which they did much to the injury of good 
breeding. Notice what stress Mr. L. F. Allen 
made on the craft of the ]\[essrs. "Collings"' 
when they started this wonderful caravansary. 
Barnnm never succeeded so well. This, his 
strongest plea for Shorthorns, in the second vol- 
ume of the "American Shorthorn Herd Book." 
There were hundreds of Herefords that ont- 
weighed them of far more compact character, 
su]iported with less feed and expense, less bone 
and offal, that were of far superior quality and 
held to their original character, which had been 
estalilished for over a century without, like the 
Shorthorn, changing their pedigree into hodge- 
podge confusion, of wbieli :iH tlie liidden secrets 
are coming to light. 

Old Fatlier Time does much when he under- 
takes to search into the secrets of men's hearts, 
^fr. Allen also says in the same volume tliat 
Mr. ('( llings was a close man. Are we to infer 



I'T'iiin this that he ke})t tiie stock bull in the dark 
and the show Inill in the sunsiiine':' What will 
he say now, as he discovers those secrets are 
exposed? Probably L'ollings will "be in a fix" 
when he is compelled to reveal tliose secrets he 
kept in that closet. 

There has been more mystery in breeding 
Siiorthorns than in any oilier course of breed- 
ing, but why sliould there be such mystery, un- 
less these breeders like darkness better than 
light? The deceit is far more injurious. It is 
now generally believed that the Shorthorns are 
a mixture of Durhams; the white cattle with 
red noses and red ears of Chillingham Park; 
the Dishley; the Devons; the Galloways; the 
West Highland, and last, though not least, the 
Herefords; at least in the Seventeens, which 
are now generally conceded to be the best of 
the American Shorthorn tribes. 

I have no objection whatever to this mixture ; 
such experiments are beneficial, and are the art 
of good breeding, had they not been kept in 
the dark ; but the deception kills the merit due 
to it. Dukes, Duchesses, Lords and Ladies were 
superfluous names to exalt, and a sham to de- 
stroy "good breeding." They were fascinating 
to the moneyed man, who had more of it than 
brains, .and who 
was extremely 
anxious for a con- 
spicuous title. The 
white- faces hold 
to their color and 
keep up their 
character for sym- 
metry, substance 
and quality, prin- 
cipally derived 
from good breed- 
ing. Their breed- 
ers have not stud- 
ied pedigree so ex- 
clusively ; they 
have not pinned 
their faith en- 
tirely to it; know quality by the hand, sym- 
metry by the eye, and, being aware of the su- 
periority and purity of their own breed over all 
others, have jealously exerted every effort to 
keep it pure. Here let me qnote a letter written 
to me by Wm. Cother, Middle Aston, Oxford- 
shire, England, which I had published in the 
Albany "Cultivator," jiage l.'^S, August number, 
1S41, soon alter my first im])ortation. [This 
letter we omit as it is produced in full in Chap- 
ter XI, to which the reader is referred. T. 
L. M.l 

I always considered ilr. ('other one of the 




A. A. CRANE, HOUSTON, TEX. 



198 



H I S T O K Y OF H E K E F K D CATTLE 



most practical men and as gooil a judge of any 
kind of animal as I know, and he stood as high 
as a Cotswold breeder as any in England, being 
a son-in-law of Mr. Wm. Hewer, Sr., of whom 
he secured a part of his Herefords and Cots- 
wolds ; he was a school-fellow of mine, and we 
tiavek'd much together in younger days to the 
different sales of Cotswolds in Gloucestershire 
and in Herefordshire to examine the Herefords. 
I need not say anything in favor of his substan- 
tial mind, as the letter is sufficient proof. When 
I imported the Herefords there was no Here- 
ford Herd Book, but I had full and correct 
pedigrees of all I imported and kept them 
strictly so, but the great fire at Chicago, 1871, 
destroyed the whole of my records, with all of 
my furniture. 

PART VII. 

Soon after the New York Mills sale of Short- 
horns Mr. Cassius M. Clay published a chal- 
lenge in the "Country Gentleman" that he and 
his brother Brutus would show a herd of one 
liull and seven Shorthorn cows and two yearling 
heifers against any two breeders of Herefords 
in the United States. My an.xiety was great to 
accept that challenge, but I had not the means 
to meet it. 

Mr. Fivderiek Piunpeliy of Owego, N". Y., of 
whom I rented my 
f a r m , saw the 
challenge and 
came to see me. 
"Why," said he, 
"you ought to ac- 
cept that. Y^our 
cattle look well 
enough to show 
anywhere." I told 
iiim I had not the 
means to meet the 
$200 deposit, or 
the money to get 
them in order fit 
for show. "Call 
upon me for all 
the money you 
want for expenses, 
and I will deposit $200 in the bank at Louis- 
ville, Ky., where he proposes to meet you at the 
National Show." I immediately accepted the 
challenge. 

My cattle, having lately come from the flats, 
were in excellent store condition. I fed them 
corn and oats ground together, in addition to 
their pastures, to harden them for the journey. 
I took one aged bull, seven cows, two yearling 




F. p. CRANE. 

CHICAGO, ILL.. 

or firm of A. A. Crane & Son. 



heifers, three bull calves and one yearling bull, 
supposing I might sell all of the latter. 

I had at that time never met Mr. Cassius M. 
Clay. (II 99) I had the Herefords nicely fixed 
in their stalls on the show ground and left my 
man and a young friend of mine from Boston, 
who accomjjanied me to witness the contest, and 
who felt as much interested as if they were his 
own cattle. I went to the Gault House and 
engaged a room for the week, and then entered 
my cattle in the different classes of the Here- 
ford department. 

The late Mr. Robert Alexander's (U 100) 
Shorthorns were there, loaded in flesh to ex- 
treme. I learnt subsequently that the two of 
the highest character (Bates) had not had a 
calf for two years, and as they walked the blub- 
ber shook under their thin hides as if in a jelly 
bag. Thinks I to myself, "I am in for it now. 
I might as well have put my head into a hor- 
net's nest as to have come to Kentucky, the 
home of the Shorfliorns." 

I had shown the Herefords at the national 
shows previously, and had become familiarly 
acquainted with Col. Wilder of Boston, who 
was president of that society. The Colonel used 
to always call me "Billy;" that was before I 
was old enough to be called "Uncle Billy." I 
went to his room at the Gault House ; he took 
me by the hand and said: "Well, Billy, I am 
mighty glad to see you. I suppose you have 
brought the Herefords here to meet Brutus and 
Cassius M. Clay?" I said I had. but I thought 
it almost an impossibility for me to have justice 
here in the midst of so much opposition. "Never 
mind, Billy," said the Colonel, "you shall have 
justice to the utmost, as far as I am concerned ; 
and the Kentucky breeders are honorable men. 
Keep up your former courage and all will come 
out right." "I am aware of the honor and in- 
tegrity of the Shorthorn breeders," I answered, 
"but a case like this is out of the common way. 
There is much interest at stake, and I am here 
alone to contend against so many rich men, 
whose influence is great. What can I do among 
so many ?" "Keep up your natural courage, 
Billy," said the Colonel, "and you will go 
through." 

In the morning I left for the show grounds, 
and I saw a gentleman sitting in a buggy in 
front of my stalls. As I was looking through 
the stock this gentleman descended from his 
buggy and came to me. "Is this your stock, 
sir?" said he. "It is, sir, when it is paid for," 
I remarked. "Is your name Sotham?" "That 
is my name, sir." "My name is C. M. Clay." 
We shook hands and congratulated each other 
on the meeting. 



11 I s'i'o i; ^ 



II KKKFUKl) CATTLE 



199 



Jlr. Clay called me aside ami he^'an to ex- 
plain. ".Since I wrote that challenge my eir- 
eiimstauces are dill'ercntly shaped. I cannot 
meet you. 1 have only brought one heifer here 
and my brother declines." "Well, Mr. Clay," I 
replied, "1 did not expect this; but 1 know you 
to be a gentleman, and 1 will endeavor to meet 
you as such. Xo man knows better what it is 
to be in a difficulty than myself. I .sympathize 
with you heartily, and will consider the trial at 
an end." 

There was a crowd around my stalls to see 
the white-faces; among them Mrs. Dr. Watts 
of Chillicothe and her daughter. The Doctor's 
reputation is well known as a Shorthorn breed- 
er. 1 had met the whole family at their housi' 
at Chillicothe previoush-, consequently I walked 
with them through the stalls of the Shorthorns; 
but I found that Mr. Alexander had been polite- 
ly showing them through his previously, and 
Miss Watts, being not only a belle, but a very 
sensible young lady, he paid her much atten- 
tion, and, being a bachelor, it was very appro- 
priate. 

Mr. C. M. Clay and I walked together to the 
amphitheater, where most of the breeders had 
assembled. There we met Mr. Alexander and 
ilr. Clay introduced me. "Well, Clay," said 
the former, "I suppose you and Sotham are to 
settle your differences in opinion to-day." 
"No,"' said Mr. Clay, "we have amicably settled 
the difference." "Indeed," said Mr. Alexander, 
"how came that so? I suppose you are afraid of 
each other." "Xo, Mr. Alexander," said I, "that 
is not the case. I will leave Mr. Clay to ex- 
plain." He repeated, "You are afraid of each 
other." With this repetition my blood began to 
rise. I then said, "In my lot I have brought 
two yearling heifers here to show against Mr. 
Clay. I will place these two heifers in any 
honest, competent man's hands in Kentucky 
against any two yearlings in your herd you 
choose to place against them. They shall be fed 
alike in weight and quality of food, and those 
who shall pay the most for food consumed at 
two and a half years old shall be the winners." 

a 101) 

Jlr. Alexander turned round with rather a 
forbidding look, and said: "If you come here 
to fight, 1 can fight." I replied that I did not 
come here to fight, but that I could fight, and 
I had the determination to meet him on that 
score. The atmosphere began to feel warm, and 
quite an excitement ensued. Mr. Brutus 
Clay remarked to me that I was just the 
man for Kentuckians! The difficulty must 
be settled, so he said, "I propose that we 
all go to .Mexander's camp, take a drink, and 



1)11 ry the hatciiet." This was agreed upon. On 
our way we encountered Mrs. and Miss Watts; 
the latter said: "I think, Mr. Alexander, that 
you and Mr. Sotham had better compromise." 
He said we were on our way for that purpose. 
We seated ourselves on the rustic seats; the 
display of the numerous silver cups, all trophies 
of Mr. Alexander's success in the Kentucky 
show rings, were distributed, and bottles of 
old bourbon, the contents of which were trans- 
ferred to the cups, in which we drank each 
other's health in friendly terms. 




Du. o:;LA>'no bush, siieldox, ill. 

-President American Hereford Cattle Breeders' Associa- 
tion, the friend of all Hereford breeders.) 



We adjourned to Mr. C. M. Clay's tent for 
lunch, which was amply displayed on the grass 
in true picnic order, characteristic of true Ken- 
tuckian style at agricultural fairs. Those not 
acquainted with Mrs. Clay and her daughters 
were introduced ; here we again met Mrs. and 
Miss ^Vatts, and a more happy and a more merry 
party never met together. We separated to 
look after our own interests in the show ring. 

I took all the premiums in Herefords, as I 
had no competition, which paid my expenses. 
I drew the two hundred dollars in a draft on 
Xew York, payable to ^Ir. Pumpelly, and liad 
it enclosed to him. Sold my yearling bull to 
the well-known Hon. Eobert Wickliff of Lex- 
ington for $100, which was then considered a 
high price, and my bull calves at $80 each; 



200 



IllSTOKY OF HEKEFORD CATTLE 



they went to Tennessee, all of which gave nie 
great satisfaction. 

The next week was the show at Lexington. 
Although there were no premiums ofEered, the 
society agreed to give me first-prize cups for 
bull and cow if I would exhibit, which I agreed 
to do. The Hon. E. Wicklifl, who took much 
interest in me and my cattle at Louisville, told 
me to make his house my home while I remained 
in Lexington, and Mr. Clay gave me a general 
invitation to their picnic lunch on the show 
grounds, and I never met with kinder treatment 
in my life from all parties. 

Mr. Wickliff, although partially blind, or- 
dered his car- 
riage and took 
me out to his 
valuable estate, 
directly opposite 
to Hon. Henry 
Clay. Although he 
had no thorough- 
bred cattle, he had 
. some fine grades 
with which he in- 
tended to breed 
to the Hereford 
bull he jDurchased 
of me. I never 
heard the result of 
this cross. I then 
shipped my stock 
to Cincinnati, to the Ohio State Fair. There 
was no class for Herefords there, and the Short- 
horn classes were strong from Ohio and Ken- 
tucky. The society gave me a special prize on 
each animal of bull, cow, heifer and calf, about 
half as much as given for Shorthorns, but about 
as much as paid my expenses at the show; 
altogether, I returned home pretty well 
satisfied. 

I presented the cups I received at Lexington 
to Mr. F. Pumpelly, with which he was highly 
delighted, told me he had received the draft 
safely and said that nothing could have given 
him greater satisfaction than to know that he 
had the power in helping nie, and that he felt 
proud of tlic triumph. (^ 102) 

Soon after mv return I sold ten head of my 
Herefords to Mr. John Merryman {^ 103) of 
Cockeysville, Md.. for $1,000; and they were a 
very nice lot. Mr. Merryman is a nobleman 
in heart and soul, and was just the person to 
join me in the fight for supremacy against 
Shorthorns, but they had such a strong hold 
that it seemed to be an impossibility; their 
moneyed influence was so powerful over agricul- 
tural societies, the press and judges, that made 




THOS. FOSTER, FLINT. MICH. 



it very discouraging. Still, this $1,000 and my 
sales in Kentucky helped me much. 

I sold Mr. George Clark of Otsego County, 
N. Y., four cows. He was a large land owner, 
having several farms. I had previously sold 
him bulls, and he bred some very fine half and 
threc-cpiarter-bred steers, one large lot of twen- 
ty-five he sold to Mr. Van Alstyne of Kinder- 
hook, N. Y., who fed them, and when they went 
to the New York market made cjuite a sensa- 
tion. They sold readily at half a cent more per 
pound than anything present, notwithstanding 
what has been lately said in a Kentucky jour- 
nal to the contrary; this was true for I was 
present at the sale. Mr. Van Alstyne and many 
others will vouch for the facts. This was an- 
other of Ambrose Stevens' unfounded thrusts 
on the Herefords, which, had it been made to 
me instead of T. L. Miller, I would have re- 
plied, as I intend to let him fight his own bat- 
tle, all I ask of him is due credit for my former 
articles. Mr. Miller is just in his glory, and 
he may become the "father of the Herefords,"' 
which, if rightly achieved, may be honor suffi- 
cient to gratify the ambition of the best of man- 
kind, who are engaged in the true improvement 
of stock. 

Rich and influential men are apt to have their 
hobbies and preferences, and the Shorthorns 
had their advantage in this respect, and, being 
fully aware of the superiority of the Herefords, 
found that they had much to do to obtain the 
ascendancy. They combined together as one 
man in England, where the origin of the well- 
known feigned sales originated, where animals 
were transferred from one herd to another at 
fictitious prices, to present to the world an 
artificial value, becoming men of wealth and' 
character, which, like all such transactions, 
ended in failure. 

Let me here refer you to a small portion of 
the text of Mr. Y'ouatt's book. In the eleventh 
page he says, speaking of Devons : "They have 
been long celebrated for a breed of cattle beau- 
tiful in the highest degree, and in activity at 
work and aptness to fatten unrivaled." In 
speaking of the Herefords, page 33, he says : 
"They are even more kindly feeders than the 
Devons; will live and grow fat where a Devon 
will scarcely live." Further in the same page : 
"The Devons will acquire bulk and hardihood 
and the Herefords a finer form and activity." 
These, Mr. Editor, are Y'ouatt's exact words. 
Let me ask the reader to reflect on these con- 
flicting, glaring statements and reconcile them- 
selves to these contradictions, if they can. Many 
such passages can be found in Y^ouatt on the 
breeds of cattle, which convinced me ihat he was 



IIISTOHY OF II EKE FORD CATTLE 



201 



no authority on either luiril. His object was 
to endeavor to jjlease all. at the risk of his own 
reputation. 

Let me here refer you to a letter written Ijy 
Hon. Henry S. Handali, in the Albany "Culti- 
vator/" A]iril niinii)er, 1841, and my reply to 
l;im in the following number. [These letters ap- 
pear in Chap. XL T. L. M.] These two let- 
ters will give some insight into the prejudice 
1 had to meet against Shorthorns, and here I 
will copy the letter jniblished at the same time, 
which I received from ilr. Turner, Court of 
Xoke, Herefordshire, England, who bred the 
first-prize cow at the Royal Agricultural Show 
at Oxford, 183!), which I purchased of Mr. 
James Walker. [This letter appears also in 
Chapter XL T. L. M.] 

Some time after Mr. Turner's letter appeared 
in the "Cultivator" Mr. Richard Rowland, a 
nephew of ilr. Westcar, whom I know well in 
England, and who inherited his property, wrote 
me a very pleasant letter, giving me the names 
of the butchers, the prices each paid, copied 
from ilr. Westcar's bookj, whicli corresponded 
exactly with what ilr. Turner wrote me. T. L. 
iHller used this letter, as he did Jlr. William 
Currier's, having the old books to refer to; 
every one of my letters were marked so as he 
could refer to them. 

Xotwithstanding the proofs I had given of 
the Herefords, the Shorthorn men I have named 
had great prejudice against them, knew their 
value, and were jealons, and they felt satisfied 
that with mv light purse they could drive me to 
the wall. They run their cattle up to fictitious 
prices — far beyond their value — for the pur- 
pose of running the Herefords out of the nuir- 
ket. A lot of speculators formed themselves 
into a ring (all were underbidders for each 
other), with the three flunkies I have named 
to do the drudgery, to catch novices with more 
money than brains who came to purchase and 
who were easily caught in the snare laid for 
them. 

iLmy changed hands understandingly, and 
were transferred from auction to aucftion, fre- 
quently without any money or notes being trans- 
ferred. I know of one instance where four 
Shorthorns, sent to a sale at Toronto, Canada, 
from Kentucky, were knocked down there at 
high, fancy prices up in the thousands. About 
four months after I saw the same animals at 
the owner's farm, wlio sent them there, and 
they remained until they were sold by the sher- 
iff. Pedijrree, regardless of the animal, was the 
chief attraction. (^ 104) 



PART VIII. 

It was with much pleasure I recently revis- 
ited the breeding farm of Erastus Corning, 
Esq., the only son and heir of Hon. Erastus 
Corning, and who, I know, inherits most of his 
late father's noble qualities. The cattle stables 
were familiar to me. I was present at their 
erection, and some of the Herefords called to 
mind an inheritance of the old sort. Old Vic- 
toria, whose likeness Mr. Corning retains in 
a painting by Van Zant, was fed at the age of 
nineteen, after raising sixteen calves. Some 
of her progeny are still here ; two of them took 
first and second prizes over Mr. Burleigh's im- 
ported ones at the Xew York State Fair last 
fall, but I think Mr. Corning has one better 
cow than either, and his young stock are very 
promising. 

The bull he imported to cross with the old 
stock was bred by Mr. Turner, Herefordshire, 
England, from which he has bred some fine ani- 
mals. I should have liked him better had he 
inherited a thicker and more mellow hide, al- 
though Mr. Turner has bred some good ones. 
The cow Matchless I purchased at the Royal 
Agricultural Show at Oxford, England, 1839, 
winner of first prize, was bred by him; he also 
bred many winners. He is now breeding for 
thicker hides, un- 
der a close ob- 
servance to mel- 
lowness. Match- 
less formerly oc- 
cupied one of the 
stalls, and there 
were four others 
equally good, Vic- 
toria, Perfection, 
Pretty ilaid and 
Gay, in the first 
importation, a 1 1 
but Matchless 
bred from the 
original stock of 
Mr. John Hewer 
of Herefordshire, 
to which all the 

best recent importations can be traced, and I 
suppose there is not a herd of the present day 
but that contains a portion of his blood, the de- 
mand for ilr. Hewer's bulls being so great that 
he let them out by the year. 

In 1856 ^Ir. Corning imported three heifers 
from one of the best breeders in Herefordshire, 
which the high character of the stock proved. 
Although he has not kept a register of their 
pedigrees, no other brceil has been crossed in, 




ao2 



HISTORY OF H E R E F R D CATTLE 




and although only kept in good store condition 
they are as good and well-bred as any herd. 
The good example he has always set in showing 
his cattle in natural shape is an excellent one, 
and the jvidges had the practical soundness to 
see their situation against pampered ones, hence 
his success in the show ring. I hope we are fast 
coming to this legitimate state of things; the 
country would profit much by it. (If 105) 

jMi'. Corning showed a fat heifer at the I^ew 
York State Fair last fall against a dozen Short- 
horns. She took first prize and was considered 
by all who saw her a perfect beauty. At Christ- 
mas she was killed, and some weeks since an 
appropriate poem 
was written of her 
liy a butcher boy 
who admired her 
attractive appear- 
ance ; the poem was 
copied into the 
"Drover's Jour- 
nal." The butcher 
who killed her, Mr. 
J. Battersby, told 
me that she was the 
best carcass of beef 
he ever cut up; not 
only was she of 
most excellent 
quality, but steaks 
cut from her neck 
vein were beautifully marbled and fit to 
serve his first-class customers — better even than 
the choice steak of many other animals. 

How many times such truths have been told 
to me by other butchers, under similar circum- 
stances, and of equal standing as Mr. Batters- 
by, whose father was one of the prominent 
butchers in Albany for the past forty years. 
Xo man killed better meat, for which he had 
a high reputation, and his customers were of the 
highest class. His son is following his good 
example, and I value his testimony, so fully 
corroborating that of many others of a like prac- 
tical soundness. 



PART IX. 

Before going further into the Herefords, I 
must give you an additional insight into what 
I had to go through with in the Bates mania, 
of which, as I have told you before, Lewis F. Al- 
len, Ambrose Stevens (who were called twin 
brothers) and John R. Page were the leading 
proselytes to that injurious imposition that so 
much injured the Shorthorn cause. I pro- 



A. H. BULLIS, 
WINNEBAGO CITY, .MINN. 



nounced this trio "the three flunkies" to induce 
men of means to join the hue and cry of fancy 
and fashion that had taken possession of all 
who belonged to it. 

The first wrote a book on the different breeds 
of cattle, to extol the Shorthorns, and did not 
only overstretch his ability in the task, but 
made gross misrepresentations, one must sup- 
pose purposely, to mislead. All who had- pa- 
tience to get at all interested in the work, and 
read his history of the Shorthorns and Here- 
fords, could see his aim to effect high favor to 
the former, and create a panic against the lat- 
ter, both of which he grossly and, I think, in- 
tentionally, misrepresented. The case was so 
plain to every unprejudiced reader that my at- 
tention was called to it by several gentlemen, 
among whom were some of the best Shorthorn 
breeders. I had an intimate knowledge of the 
writer's character, so I did not look into his 
book until my friends strongly advised me, and 
then the comparison between these two valuable 
breeds was all I had the patience to investi- 
gate. Fancy and fashion are capable of leading 
even the best men astray, and Lewis F. Allen 
did everything he was capable of doing to pro- 
mote both of these delusions. 

The second man was an adventurer precisely 
of the same calibre as the first; they were called 
"twin brothers," as they constantly coupled 
their visionary brains together, to support the 
fancy and fashion adopted to boost the "Bates 
mania." This was their hobby and they ex- 
pected to reap their reward from the profit 
made by the Bates clan, but, like all such the- 
ories and profitless scheming, the bubble burst, 
which all who read can prove. He was the man 
who rewrote the fictitious Shorthorn compila- 
tion called history, to defeat the facts published 
by Rev. Henry Berry, but his misrepresenta- 
tions soon found him out, and the Eev. Henry 
Berry's unpleasant truths now stand as firmly 
as if this misjudged prodigal had not so 
thoughtlessly interfered. 

Still further this notorious Batesite brought 
out from the Bates herd of such notoriety the 
bull Duke of Cambridge. Stevens, after a long 
and familiar stay at Mr. Bates' house, had per- 
suaded Bates that he ( Stevens) was the great 
"I am'" of the Shorthorn fraternity ; thus pre- 
possessed. Bates presented him with this "Noble 
Duke of Cambridge" as a memento of his kind- 
ness in so strongly supporting the Bates cause 
in America, the urgency for continuance of 
which Bates had strenuously instilled into the 
anxious mind of this supposed exalted breeder. 

The bull arrived here with others from an- 
other breeder, of which I shall hereafter give a 



HISTOKY OF n EH K FORD CATTLF 



203 



discription through Mr. Stevens" letter to the 
"Cultivator" at tiie time of their arrival here. 
The Noble Duke oC Cambridge \\'as taken to the 
herd of Col. Sherwood of Auburn, and the own- 
er charged him a very high price for half of 
him. Subsequently Stevens wrote asking Mr. 
Bates to state in a letter to him that he (Stev- 
ens) had given Bates an enormous price, nam- 
ing the sum. At this ilr. Bates became indig- 
nant ; he felt that a secret gift for puffing was 
not so jirofitable to him as represented, conse- 
(luently wrote Stevens in gentle language that 
he was sorry to find he (Stevens) was somewhat 
the reverse of a "great I am ;" told his house- 
keeper if he ever came to his house again to 
f(fri)id his crossing the threshold. I refer your 
readers to "Bell on Bates" to corroborate these 
facts. 

Xow conies the tliird chap in the Bates mania 
who. in his vanity, supposed himself to be the 
Iliad of all, having been selected by James 0. 
Sheldon of (ieneva, N. Y., to take a portion 
of his Bates tribe to England. This gentleman, 
being so elated with his flattering pictures in 
catalogues and Herd Books, placed Page on 
ecpial terms with the other great "I am," and 
at that time the Bates mania was at its 
Zenith. Page was so fortunate in his pretenses 
of the knowledge of pedigree, fancy, fashion. 
u]istanding style, thin hides, beautiful, soft 
touch, sweet heads, high hips, extended paunch 
and grand thighs, so peculiarly essential to 
denote the Bates tribe, that he had precisely 
what these fanciful, fashionable supporters of 
Bates wanted on the other side of that "big 
])ond." The only thing against his personal 
:i])])earance was his natural swagger, for which 
he had no cheekrein. He caught the rich com- 
moner and di])ped a little into the nobility, who 
were at that period anxiously striving to gull 
each other at every sale, to find out which could 
ijuild the most expensive castle in the air, conse- 
([ucntly Page returned home highly elated. 

I do not describe this trio with the idea of 
injuring them or the Shorthorns ; far from it : 
Init I do say that it was this kind of men that 
did that cause more injury than any other class ; 
their tongues and their pens were "too fast" 
for their brains, and this short sketch will plain- 
ly show how the Bates mania was created, and 
I challenge any man to deny with truth the 
facts as I have stated them. I have no malice 
against this trio, hut I had pity for them in 
their weakness, which I always predicted would 
end in the disappointment it did. This trio was 
quite successful with fancy and fashionable 
men, their smooth tongues, in the plenitude of 
their politeness made excessive flattery plaus- 



ible to them, but when they met together to 
flatter each other upon the glorious impression 
they were making upon the Bates mania, Satan 
stepped out without interfering. 

Bates, with all his faults, showed much cun- 
ning. When Mr. Price challenged to show 
twenty Hereford breeding cows and a bull for 
£100 against any breeder or breed in Great 
Britain, no man ever showed greater weakness 
in judgment than Mr. Bates when he accepted 
it. He felt that he should be sure to be beaten 
unless the judges were favorable toward him, 
and he would only have the choice of one of 
them. Influenced by this conviction, after de- 
positing the forfeit, he began to realize his crit- 
ical situation, fully aware that if he did not ac- 
cept that the horns of his cattle must be drawn 
in much shorter. 




JOHN GOSLING. KANSAS CITY, .\10. 
(America's greatest expert judge.) 

Alarmed at his situation, Mr. Bates sent his 
confidential man Friday disguised in his smock 
frock on Sunday, while Mr. Price was in church, 
to examine the cattle he had to contend with. 
Friday went into the stable under the pretense 
that lie wanted to hire to Mr. Price as a stock- 
man. After looking them through he left, with- 
out leaving his name. Soon after Friday re- 
turned home Mr. Bates became exceedingly ner- 
vous : raised the most frivolous quibbles and 
excuses amongst his neighbors and friends: his 



204 



HISTORY OF H E E E F R D CATTLE 



schemes to enable him to back out made him 
(]uerulous. He wrote to the "Mark Lane Ex- 
press" that he liad a great aversion to gamliling ; 
advanced this as a jjlea, notwithstanding he had 
been showing for money exactly on the same 
principle. 

Bates' friends became alarmed ; rode over to 
Kirklevington to inquire if that plea of gamb- 
ling was the only reason ; others wrote with anx- 
ious inqiriries. Bates, in his perplexity, seemed 
to be wandering about the farm like a hen by 
candle light, in search of his man Friday, to 




GRADE HEREFORD STEER. CONQUEROR. AT 27 

MONTHS. 
(Bred by T. L. MiUer; the rightful champion of 1879-80.) 

caution him to i)C sure and keep his secret; but. 
unfortunately. Friday could not keep from .say- 
ing that Price's white-faces was a most excel- 
lent herd, and that his "master" would have 
very hard work to beat him. Friday was asked 
many questions by all comers to Kirklevington. 
.\t lengtli one Shorthorn breeder came who had 
licen into Herefordshire to buy steers for feed- 
ing. "Why, Friday," said he, "what were you 
doing in Hereford a few day^ ago? I saw you 
riding through that city and tried to hail you. 
but you seemed in a hurry as you put the spurs 
to your horse. Had anything gone wrong ? You 
seemed to have j'our India rubber rolled up, as 
if von had been a long journey." 

This breeder, in opposition to Mr. Bates, be- 
gan to be a little quizzical, as he had strong sus- 
picion of Friday's visit to Herefordshire, after 
reading Bates' letter in the "IMark Lane Ex- 
press." "T hear you have been calling on Mr. 
Price. I understand his herd is a very superior 
one. How did vou like it ?" Friday was as much 
confused as Bates. It was the truth, but how 
did he know it? The Shorthorn breeder tried 
to look Friday in the face, but he looked every 
way but his. He was determined to sift him a 
little further: "Now, Friday, T am as good at 
keeping a secret as Mr. Bates. Tell me how 



you liked Price's herd of Herefords? I heard 
you were there." "Who told you?" "What 
nuide you take your smock frock along, rolled 
up in front of you, to look conspicuously ? That 
was not a garment you usually wear on Sun- 
days. There is some mystery which you ought 
to explain to me, as I am as much interested 
as Bates; I do not want to see the Shorthorns 
defeated. Why did he deposit the forfeit and 
then withdraw? There is something wrong." 
After this it was generally known what was 
the object of Friday's visit to Herefordshire, 
and for a time Friday was made the market 
talk, and one of Bates' myths was made public, 
much against his secret wishes. Friday had 
kept the West Highland cross confidentially in 
secret, but this one, so far from home, was too 
much for him. 

I have obtained these facts about as I state 
them from a source that can be relied upon, 
and I was familiar with the transaction 
tlirough the "Mark Lane Express." 

In his letter to that paper, Mr. Bates wished 
'S\v. Price to call upon him. None Imt a man 
of extreme vanity could have expected this. 
Mv. Price, being aware of Bates' prominent pe- 
culiarity of bribing the judges with insinua- 
tions, was the j)rincipal reason of his making 
the challenge, as he was determined that such 
a transaction should not be allowed on eitJier 
side. 

Mr. Bates wrote to Mr. Price, saying he de- 
clined to meet him on account of gambling. 
This, and more frivolous excuses, he made in 
iiis letter to the "Mark Lane Express." In these 
letters he wished Mr. Price to call upon him, 
and he would return the call. Here was a 
chance for more quibbles on etiquette, but 'Mr. 
Bates, being a confirmed bachelor, I suppose 
did not study that part of his ceremonies, as a 
c|uibble for delay and a chance to back out. 
How they were to settle between themselves 
which was the best herd was only a schoolboy 
transaction. 

Of course each would declare his own the 
Ijcst, and neither they nor the puljlic would 
have been satisfied. At the same time Mr. Bates 
said that he had a pair of twin bull calvi's of 
the Duchess tribe, he thought one of which 
would improve Mr. Price's Herefords. Mr. 
Price replied, "If you want to back out, tell me 
plainly ; then I will listen, but I will not have 
any more cavil. The three judges having been 
agreed upon, can go to Kirklevington, and I 
will accompany them ; they can return to my 
place with your escort, then neither herd can be 
removed. I feel very reluctant in taking your 
proposition as a direct insult, but circumstances 



H I S T () 1{ \- F H E i; K J' () i; 1) C A T T L E 



205 



iiidicalc it. 1 imist smv tliat 1 \va> imuh 
Mirprisi'd at such a iiroposition from niic uhn 
prolVs.sos so nuicli to hr a ])uro bivcdci-. 1 as- 
sure you tliat no >iuli ri-(i>s as tliat can enter my 
herd." 

Mr. Price was indignant, and well he might 
be. Although ilr. Price might think that such 
a cross on tlie other side might have been made 
with imjjunity in addition to Bates" other outs, 
Jie had more sense than to advise it, and eti- 
quette forbade him taking that liberty. When 
the news came to America, there was much con- 
.sternation. The Bates organs modified it to the 
best of their ability. The advocates of the 
Bates mania, supposed to be moral men, thought 
the plea of gambling surticient, notwithstand- 
ing more than half of them would buy pools 
or bet on a hor.«e race. The trio of Bates 
flunkies — Allen, Stevens, and Page — were silent 
for a time, but the other part of the clan, like 
Bates, made manv excuses, and as the mania 



tiunr noils as if they were familiar accjuaiut- 
ances. Although John had on his liest clothes, 
there was something more wanting. It is very 
ditficult for a plebeian in England to know 
how to act among aristocracy. No matter what 
clothes he wears, he is easily detected under any 
display of "independence" ; however, the duke, 
lord or baronet in this "independent country" 
has no privilege, where all men are equal. Here 
John had the advantage over them in "inde- 
pendence" ; but dukes and duchess titles in 
cattle were highly honored here, their mopey 
value far exceeding those whose titles were in- 
herited under the law of primogeniture, as they 
knew not the value of it. 

Reckless in their "independence," the English 
squandered it; consequently John had an ex- 
cellent opportunity to show himself, and his 
tongue had no curl) to cheek it from having its 
full scope. John, fully aware the transactions 
in England amongst Bates men would justify 




AN AMERICAN SHOW-RIXG. UNDER THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR TENT. 



was previously up to fever heat, and the advo- 
cati's in their glory, it was a diflicult matter 
for them to form combined action, as the indis- 
cretion of Bates was so glaringly ridiculous. 
John R. Page, as he made himself very con- 
spicuous at the Shorthorn sales, when praising 
a Bates pedigree so highly, looked slyly and 
cautiously over his shoulder to see if Jlr. Price 
or any Hereford breeder was behind him. In 
this connection I must give you more experience 
of this "herd book in breeches" as an auctioneer. 
All who knew John knew the frivolous airs he 
put on to assume consequence, his call to the 
"Xew York Mills sale" was supposed to be of 
such an exalted nature, and as he had to meet 
some of the nobility and aristocracy of England, 
he was compelled to put on as much polish as 
consisti'iit with his hish callini:. and to receive 



his case in action and attitude, felt independ- 
ent, his tongue moved as rapidly as was con- 
sidered discreet for him to make it. 

After being introduced to the foreigners, 
some of whom we knew, John mounted the 
rostrum, and when so elevated, the loftiness was 
of a very exciting nature. He stood erect in 
silence ; not one of the nobility ventured to 
say, "Is that a dagger I see before me?" "His 
stature will not compare with our old veteran 
Stafford in England," said one. His attitude 
was one foot forward, the other its rear guard, 
but he was evidently confused : he pointed his 
forefinger towards heaven, and the canopy above 
was clear. He stammered a little and then said 
that he was exceedingly glad to see so manv 
wealthy and influential gentlemen around him 
from hotli countries, "and vou arc aware that I 



206 



HISTORY OF HE KEF OKU CATTLE 



have to offer you to-day some of the most t'asli- 
ionabfe blood descended from Mr. Bates" true 
and unadulterated original Dukes and Duch- 
esses, well known the wide world over, and you 
all well know that I am the gentleman who 
sold Mr. James 0. Sheldon's cattle of precisely 
the same families at Windsor, at the very gate 
of your Queen, and as there are many exalted 
Bates breeders among you I shall expect you to 
bid spiritedly." 

Here was John Bull and Jonathan pitted 
against each other, regardless of consequences. 




AT A COUNTRY TAIR IN .MISSOURI. 



Wlieu Page asked for a bid on the ne.vt ani- 
mal, he was overcome ; his voice failed, and 
when articulation came, a half dozen bids had 
been offered. "Go on," said John, and they 
did go on like men on the high road to ruin. 
When the sale was ended, some of them sup- 
posed they had been dreaming ; others boasted 
of their bargains, and felt as proud as "Luci- 
fer." After the Englishman for whom the 
Duchess was said to be purchased was informed 
of the transactions he preferred to pay $10,000 
forfeit rather than $30,000 more and take the 
Duchess, which offer was accepted, and a rich 
New Yorker agreed to take her, but she died 
before she was delivered. The majority of the 
Duchesses were either hopelessly barren or fol- 
lowed the fate of the Duchess, who was buried 
in utter silence, and in the dark with her thin 
skin on, in honor of Thos. Bates, E.^q., Kirk- 
levington, Eng. I am not posted as to her hav- 
ing a marble tomb erected over her to denote her 
sacred memory. I could tell you much more ; 
I have said so much on Bates and his followers 
to show how much this clan set against the 
Hercfords. Now I intend to show what I and 
my Herefords went through after this bulible 
burst. All I have told you about it has been 
true, which I will challenge any man of truth to 
denv. 



After the first bid John's flattering tongue was 
of no use to him — nods were rapid and the 
order of the day. Fanciful John Bull was so 
extremely anxious to bid, and Jonathan out- 
numbering them, nodded conspicuously or gave 
tongue. The auctioneer became so confused 
he did not know which bid to take first; he 
almost fancied that it was he that was up for 
.sale instead of the Duchess. An automaton 
would have answered the same purpose as John, 
amid such bidders. The representatives of both 
nations acted more like lunatics released from 
an asylum than breeders of discretion, seeking 
proper and profitable animals, as an example 
to benefit mankind. 

When the Duchess sold for forty thousand 
dollars, the shouts from the crowd were loud 
and long, neither John Bull nor Jonathan could 
command themselves; hats were thrown in the 
air, men were crazed in delight ; Jonathan and 
John Bull shook hands with each other, and 
with such a grip that all supposed that the two 
nations would never be divided, and that Thos. 
Bates would be king over all. One would sup- 
pose that Bedlam had been let loose, or that the 
lunatic asylum at Utica was on fire, and that 
the scattered inmates were attracted, by the 
hideous noises, to take a part. 



PART X. 

You saw by the letter from Mr. Wm. Cother, 
Esq., that there was no Herd Book for Herc- 
fords when I imported ; but the breeders from 
whom I purchased kept a reliable record of their 
own. After the present Herd Book was estab- 
lished, some of the best breeders were very care- 
less about entering their cattle. Being so well 
satisfied with the pedigrees kept by themselves, 
and feeling confident of their practical judg- 
ment in selecting the sires to maintain the supe- 
riority of their herds, they felt perfectly safe 
in keeping the sound doctrine of self-preserva- 
tion. 

The Hereford breeders were principally prac- 
tical men, not easily led away by novices or 
theory. The profits of their cattle kept them 
independent. Any one conversant with the 
Hereford fairs (jf 106), and seeing the immense 
number of white-faces that came in on these 
occasions (the money that changed hands 
there, aside from that paid to the breeders of 
steers, at their homes), and sent directly to 
those graziers spoken of in Mr. Cother's letter, 
could not but see their true value. 

The graziers, knowing the truth of the supe- 
riority of Herefords for grazing, purchased 



H I s 'I' () in* F 11 1'] 1! 1-; J' ( » i; 1 ) c a t t l e 



■20-i 



ttiem. Amon^t-t them were Shortlinni liri'cijci-s 
to my knowledge. 1 will give you an iiistniiee 
of one of the.se of much prominenee. which 
came under my ohjiervation. My brother-in-hiw, 
Mr. Marmaduke Matthews, lived a close neigh- 
bor to the well-known rich commoner, Mr. 
Langston of Sarsdon, O.xfordshire (whose only 
daughter and heiress married Earl Ducie), the 
Well-known ])urchaser of the Bates Shorthorns, 
at Karl Ducie's sale, that were subsequently pur- 
chased by Mr. Jonathan Thorn and Mr. L. G. 
Morris, brought to this country, and with which 
all breeders of Shorthorns are familiar. 

While staying with my brother-in-law he pro- 
posed to drive nie over to see Mr. Langston's 
Shorthorns, and as I had frequently met ilr. 
Langston in the hunting field and once sold him 
one of the best hunters he ever had in his sta- 
bles, at a high figure, and which proved a great 
favorite with him, 1 readily accepted. We drove 
to the house of Mr. Savage, who was Mr. Lang- 
ston's steward, which situation affords him a 
splendid home, and one of his best farms, which 
he rented. There was another farm he managed 
for Mr. L., which surrounded Mr. L.'s mansion 
and j)leasure grounds. Mr. Savage and myself 
had previously met at fairs and markets and 
were pretty well known to each other; therefore 
etiquette was not called into question, and an 
introduction was umiecessary. 

We had a good, hearty shake, and I was ten- 
dered a hearty welcome. "I will send over to 
the house and tell Mr. L. you are here, as I 
know he will be glad to see you; he has the 
old hunter you sold him, and although now six- 
t<en years old he is about as good as ever. He 
often speaks of the daring way you used to ride 
across the country here, and that you were as 
close to the tail of the hounds as any of them." 

Here I must digress a little, and may be 
considered a little egotistical, but never mind. 
Probably there was not a more daring rider in 
the whole of the Duke of Beaufort's hunt, and 
at the age of twenty-five I never knew what 
fear was. I sold many horses to the nobility 
and gentry, and I was a fair judge of a hunter, 
but did not spare them when under me and the 
saddle. Bullfinch, brook, wall, or awa-awa never 
came amiss to me. The horse had to take them 
if there was the least prospect. By this daring 
I was as well known to the Duke of Beaufort's 
hunt as any man. We had just got through our 
"bread, cheese and ale" when Mr. L. appeared, 
seated on the old horse. He held out his hand 
and gave me a hearty shake, which was the 
grip of the true English sportsman. "Do you 
know the old horse?" said he. "T do, and it 
calls to mind the happy days through that win- 



ter m which 1 rode him." "Ah," said he, "you 
were enough for any of them then, and the old 
horse was master of your weight. My careful 
riding has saved him until now, and he is good 
yet." ' 

We took a survey through the Shorthorns, 
which were all of the Bates tribes, a draft in 
the beginning from the Earl of Ducie. Al- 
though then considered in the height of fashion 
and petted by fancy men, I must say I never 
saw a worse herd. They seemed to me longer 
and coarser in the legs than any of the tribes 
I had seen in America, or even what I had 
seen at Kirklevington. I asked Mr. Savage if 
there was any propriety in keeping such stock. 
This brought out a long argument between my- 
self and Mr. Savage. He held up for style and 
grandeur, and I went for compactness, sub- 
stance and quality. I condemned their thin 
hides and blubbery handling, at which Mr. Sav- 
age was a little inclined to take offense. Mr. 
Langston laughed, and Mr. JLitthews said but 
little, as he was breeding unpedigreed Short- 
horns to a Hereford bull, raising steers and 
sending them to market at two years .old, by 
which he made a handsome profit. There were 
lots of young bulls. If I had been a Shorthorn 
breeder I would not have taken either as a gift. 
"Who do you get to buy these bulls, Mr. Sav- 
age ?" said L "Oh ! We let our tenants have 
them to improve their stock." At this period I 



1 ^1 


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IP- ■ ^•■ 


^■^ 


m 


3w' ■"-• 


k 


^^A :^-ihJBBS 


, jum^' k^^^H 



PRACTICINO FOR THE SHOW. 

saw a lot of white-faces in a field at a little 
distance. "What are you doing with those white- 
faces?" I said. "Oh, they are some two-year- 
old Hereford steers I bought at Hereford fair 
to feed." We took a survey through them : 
they were a very nice lot; probably not quite 
so good as those of graziers who picked them 
up of the breeders before the fair, but they were 
even, and showed good breeding. They were 



iOti 



HISTOHY OF llEltEFUED CATTLE 



in a good bite of grass; sonie of them wore 
stretched out in the sun sleeping, others stand- 
ing chewing their cuds contentedly. If we dis- 
turbed one from his lair he would twist his 
tail round and stretch himself, which satis- 
fied Jlr. Savage that they were thriving finely. 
One of tliem seemed contented, and with a mild 
look in his eye allowed us to handle him. His 
hide was thick and mellow, his flesh firm and 
ripe; I called Mr. Savage's attention to this 
steer's compactness, symmetry, quality and 
weight. "Have you a Shorthorn in your herd 
that can compare with him ? Is there an ani- 
mal amongst them with such a constitution? 
Have these and your Shorthorns all lived 
alike?" He said there was but little difference 
in their pastures. "If Shorthorns are so su- 
perior to Herefords, why did you not go to 
Darlington fair or market and buy high-grade 
Shorthorn steers and spayed heifers, which 
could be bought in any quantity, and at less 
money than Herefords? There seems to be a 
myth among Shorthorn breeders that I cannot 
understand. I think you are more attached to 
fashion, fancy and pedigree than j'ou are to 
a rent-paying animal." "I tell you, Sotham," 
said Jlr. Savage, "it is of no use disguising the 
fact. Those Hereford steers will go to market 



a month lience, without cake or corn, but Short- 
horns want to be finished on cake, and I am 
free to say they fetch the higher price over 
the Shorthorns. If Shorthorns make greater 
weight, the extra weight does not compensate 
for food consumed." "I am satisfied, Mr. Sav- 
age," said I, "so let us change the subject," 
which was converted to prospects of things in 
America. Mr. Matthews and myself dined with 
Mr. Savage, and spent the afternoon smoking 
our long clay pipes, drinking our port and 
sherry in moderation, and in the evening sat 
down to a game at whist, which we kept up un- 
til a late hour. . 

Probably it is one of the greatest sights in 
the world to see at any Hereford fair so many 
superior cattle with white faces, and so uni- 
form in color, symmetry, substance and qual- 
ity combined, as to make that breed superior 
to any other. I was never more amazed than 
at my first visit. It confirmed my belief and 
a fixture of me, in favor of the Herefords. prob- 
ably to the end of my life. I at once felt satis- 
fied I was on the riglit track in cattle breed- 
ing, however the Americans might be preju- 
diced against them. 

Notwithstanding they were shut out of state 
and county shows and driven under the lash 




A "LINE-UP" AT WEAVEROtiACE, FARM OF T. F. B. SOTHAM. 



11 1 S T O R Y F n E 1? I-: F () H I) (A 'V T L K 



20!) 



Ill' intlucncecl judges, llicv coiilil nnl always lie 
rohliiMl (if tlu'ir good naiiu' and real merit ; tlu> 
r('))utation of tlie Plcrel'ords was too well es- 
tablished to be forever injured by a moneyed 
j)ower or to allow prejudice to long rule over 
them. Under such a pressure, however, it was 
impossible for Ilerefords to win prizes, unless 
their superiority was so palpable that con- 
science, though seared, was compelled to give 
way. 

Soon after this, the Earl of Warwick won 
the first prize at Smitlifiekl with a Hereford 
ox of which the editor of the "Mark Lane Ex- 
press" spoke very highly. I wrote to the Earl of 



no doubt, the Ilerefords are the best breeds 
for such objects. Notwithstanding well 
bred ones are bought very dear (a proof of their 
estimation) 1 think they pay best for their kec]), 
turning into money faster for the food they 
eat, less liable to casualties, from the thriving 
disposition of their constitutions to do well and 
lay on flesh while growing. I send into Here- 
fordshire and buy lean, young stock, of the 
best breeders, not trusting to the fairs. I know 
how all are bred. The ox I won the first prize 
with at the Smithfield show last year, 1840, and 
the best beast of any class shown by the ninety 
competitors, I bought as a three-year-old, with 




THE CATTLE RING AT THE DETROIT IXTER.NATIG.N'AL KAIR AND EXPOSITION. T. F. B. SOTHAM, SECRETARY. 



Warwick for a little information of the Here- 
fords and received the following letter: 

Warwick Castle, Eng. 
Sir: I buy my stock in poor, at tw'o and 
three years old; fat them for the butcher; 
fat them on grass in the summer and on 
hay and turnips in winter, finishing them 
on oil cake when necessary. To do which it 
would be immaterial to me which breed I 
bought or where, depending on what would 
grow or fat fastest, as good butchers' beasts 
— the butcher lieinsT mv customer — and I have 



many more at seventeen pounds each, lean. He 
ran with the other steers, and was put up with 
them to fat, and I never thought of sending 
him to Smithfield until two months before the 
show, never having sent a beast there before. 
After the show I sold him to a London butcher 
to kill, for seventy pounds. There is a wretched 
jjrint of him in the London shops. The ])ainter 
who did his picture for me is Mr. Davis, animal 
painter to the Queen, and lives at Chelsea. He 
made a very good colored engraving, one of 
which T should be happy to procure for you if 
you will have the goodness to write to me when 



210 



HIST R Y OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



you arrive in Eiiglauil next summer. My house 
in London is 7 Carlton Gardens. 

(Signed) Wakwick. 

I called at Warwick Castle in 1842, and, 
after sending in my card, the Earl ordered his 
valet to show me in. As soon as he remem- 
bered my letter to him, and the prize ox, he or- 
dered his man to l)ring up two saddle horses 
and he would show me the steers feeding in the 
park. The pasture was excellent on the old 
sod. They were a capital lot of two-year-olds, 
he purchased in Herefordshire in the spring. 
We talked of the prospects of the Herefords 
in America, and other different subjects, and 
he gave me a note to Mr. Davis, to give me one 
of the engravings of the ox, which I brought 




STOCK BARN AT T. L. MILLERS "HIGHLAND FARM," 
BEECHER, ILL. 

here and presented to the late Hon. Erastus 
Corning, and, if I mistake not, it still hangs 
up in the residence in Albany now occupied 
by his widow, whose age is 87 j-ears. 

This letter to me from so prominent a peer 
in England made quite a stir. Mr. Francis 
Roteh felt .quite indignant. He wrote a clas- 
sical criticism upon it, in which he hinted that 
the letter could not be genuine. Luther Tucker, 
Sr., called upon me, and told me what Mr. 
Rotch had written. He did not publish it, but 
wrote him that the letter was certainly from 
the Earl of Warwick ; that his "coat of arms" 
was on the seal, and there was nothing relating 
to the letter that could be construed into deceit. 
I immediately sat down and wrote Mr. Rotch 
as severe a letter as was ever written to an- 
other. I knew the circumstances for which he 
left Ne.w England, and I did not scruple in 
asking him if he supposed my character was 
like unto his. obliged to leave home for evil 
deeds done in the body. I told Mr. Tucker 
what I had done, who knew the circumstances 
of the late banker's sinning, notwithstanding I 
told him "that ho who was without sin, let him 
cast the first stnnc" still T felt certain that I 



should never be gviilty of forgery and for this 
broad insinuation I should chastise liim the 
first time we met. 

A few days after, Mr. Tucker came to me 
and said there was a gentleman in his office 
who wished to see me very particularly. Mr. 
Tucker had shown him the original letter, 
which he pronounced genuine, and Mr. Tucker, 
when he told me who it was, asked me to keep 
my temper. "Why, Mr. Tucker, I think you 
know me well enough that I can always forgive 
a man who acknowledges himself in error." Mr. 
Rotch then walked in out of the back room, and 
made me a very satisfactory apology, but there 
was much said about this letter in the "Culti- 
vator," which can be seen on investigation, in 
184L 

Here is another substantial evidence in favor 
of Herefords, and I have never yet seen a single 
instance where Herefords have been fairly tried 
but what they were appreciated. The following 
is an extract from a letter to me from Mr. 
Fisher Hobbs, Marks Hall, Essex, England, one 
of tlie most prominent agriculturists of his day : 
"When 1 commenced farming and breeding on 
my ow^n account, in addition to my steward- 
ship to Lord Western, I purchased a Short- 
horn herd, probably but few better in Eng- 
land. I kept them and had to nurse them ten- 
derly for five years. Notwithstanding this, I 
had become almost wedded to them. The no- 
bility, with whom I much associated, patron- 
ized them, and I followed their example. I 
purchased a small herd of Herefords, because 
they sold cheap, and to my utter astonishment 
they could live and grow fat, while the 
Shorthorns grew poor, all faring alike. Al- 
though much against my wishes, I sold off the 
Shorthorns and took to Herefords, and have 
kept to them with much faith." 

I sent the whole of this letter to the Albany 
"Cultivator" just before the beginning of the 
Bates mania, and when the junior editor was 
a boy playing marbles in the street. Mr. Luther 
Tucker, Sr., published it and was much pleased 
with it. Mr. Hobbs won the first prize for 
the best cow-in-milk, with a Hereford, against 
numerous Shorthorns, and kept to the Here- 
fords until his death. Wherever similar trials 
have been impartially made, the Herefords have 
invariably been successful. 

Mr. Fisher Hobbs and Lord Western were 
the originators of the Essex hogs, the latter 
imported the Neapolitan hog and the former 
crossed them with the "old Essex" breed, hence 
the improved breed. 

When in England, after my second lot of 
Herefords. I called upon ilr. Hobbs, at Essex 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



211 



Hall, and was ivceivcil iiio.st kiiKlly. W'u I'odf 
over his iariu, viewi'd the cattle, which con- 
sisted of llerefords, and discussed the demand 
for his Essex hogs, which at that time was very 
great. 1 found in Mr. Hobhs one of the most 
substantial men 1 ever met, and never spent a 
more pleasant time than while under his roof. 
Many of the nobility looked up to him for ad- 
vice. No nuui stood higher as a steward or as 
an agriculturist, and he was a leading man at 
the principal meetings and exhibitions of the 
country. I purchased a pair of his pigs, and 
had them sent to Loudon to be shipped with my 
Herefords. 

The testimony of such men is worth preserv- 
ing, while those who write for the sake of see- 
ing their names in print copy from others, no 
better informed than themselves, put on airs un- 
becoming men of judgment, do a great deal of 
injury, much more than they have any idea. 
How many writers of the jjast have been prac- 
tical men ? Youatt is yet often quoted by edi- 
tors, novices in breeding, such as J. H. San- 
ders, Judge T. C. Jones and many others 1 have 
named, who have pinned their faith to him, 
when all practical men who have read Youatt 
can plainly see that he knew little more about 
cattle than cattle knew of him, and it was sheer 
affectation for him even to attempt so impor- 
tant an undertaking. He was educated as a 
veterinary surgeon, which profession required a 
classical education, and ujjon which acquired 
education such men are apt to place the founda- 
tion of their knowledge so that when they write, 
they study the classical part more fully than the 
more practical. 

So it was with Youatt. He looked more to 
his orthography, etymology, syntax and prosody 
than he did to the good points and character of 
animals, or the true science in breeding them. 
He never studied good breeding practically, but 
gained his information at market ordinaries of 
those interested, and his friends were princi- 
pally amongst the Shorthorn breeders. It was 
mostly hearsay without proper foundation. 
Any practical man can discover this through 
the whole of'his work, whieli I have read close- 
ly, and have frequently quoted critically, which 
can be plainly seen in my former letters. He 
decidedly shows that he listened attentively 
to the dictates of Shorthorn breeders, because he 
knew they were rich, and by their riches had 
run themselves into a rapid current of notoriety. 
Such men liave done great injury to the progress 
of good breeding. There are too many wlio have 
followed this example, feeling themselves ex- 
alted because they have written a hook, no mat- 
ter whether mankind had received anv benefit 



from it, (U- it liad inflicted a great and palpable 
injury. 

All L. F. Allen's works are borrowed from 
such men as Youatt, while the portion ema- 
nating from his own brain rests upon a very 
shallow foundation, or smacks strongly toward 
his own interest. You might easily suppose 
that L. F. Allen was the founder and self-pre- 
server of all the breeds in the universe, but it 
was this consummate vanity that prompted him 
to borrow the plumage of others in forming 
the bulk of his books. Shorthorn men them- 
selves saw the exaggerations of Shorthorns and 
his desire to depreciate the Herefords. All 
knew his motives and his strong prejudices, 
and some of them made allowances for some 
of his idiosyncrasies. Although L. F. Allen 
was exceedingly anxious to become a noted 
breeder of Shorthorns, which was at one time 
partially supposed, on paper, he never bred 
or owned a good animal of the Shorthorn breed 
in his life. He was a man of great notoriety, 
without the necessary essentials of true merit 
to back him. I cannot but believe that his 
book on the different breeds of cattle has done 
much more harm to the community . than he 
can ever repair. He supposed in his vanity that 
I was so far inferior to him in position, amongst 
the cattle men, that there was no paper in this 




A MISSOURI cow AND HER TRIPLETS. 

country whose editor would allow me to reply 
to him. I am very anxious to have him reply 
to my strictures upon him, backed by the other 
flunkies I have named, so intimately connected 
with him. I tell them all that the editors and 
proprietors of the "Drover's Journal" are hon- 
est in their purposes, and will publish anything 
they choose to write. My suggestions to them 
are, not to change a w'ord, but give them their 
full force, and that they will find the "Drover's 
■Journal" impartial toward either breeder or 
breed, and for which they have been rewarded 
for their honesty and independence in the sue- 



212 



HISTORY OF H E ]! E F R D CATTLE 



cess thuy have achieved in the Held of joui-iial- 
isni. Ma;y they still heeoine more prosi^erous is 
my sincere wish. 

My object is to write the truth, and if any 
, of my former opponents think me in error, 1 am 
open to criticism, I care not in what shape it 
comes. If I cannot vindicate myself I will cry 
peccari. and acknowledge the fault. All I ask 
is a fair field and no favor. 



PART XI. 

The Bates ring is now broken up, the Bates 
mania defunct ; titles are looked upon with sus- 
jjicion. Men who supported them did so to 
their hearts' content, but would now gladly re- 
turn them to the countrv in which they were 
I'l-eated. 




GRADE STEER CALVES IN AN IOWA FEED LOT. 

The wise men at the East have to be fed with 
roast beef by the practical men at the West; 
therefore, they have to study the best and most 
economical way of making it to their own ad- 
vantage. They have found out that the Here- 
ford has a strong constitution, has a good, thick, 
mellow hide to protect it, under which good 
quality invariably rests. Their meat being well 
interlarded is put on in the right places; this 
gained in their artirify is unchangeable, which 
enables them to take it to market in good shape. 

The Bates tribes under their thin hides and 
soft handling, so vehemently supported by their 
breeders, cannot stand the hardship they have 
to endure, especially when weaned from their 
nursing and pampering. The character of their 
soft flesh is lired in them, under the absurd 
doctrine Thomas Bates was constantly preach- 
ing to his followers. This flabby flesh wasted 
away in their coarseness from the exertion 
which compelled them to travel for their food, 
and what they did init on was carried to market 



ill bad shape, which made them only fit for 
stockers to be finished amidst plenty, where they 
could be indulged in idleness, then the most 
profitable parts were deficient, not having been 
bred there; their pedigree must have been a 
fraud. So goes' the world and the people in it 
are subject to many changes. L. F. Allen and 
his herd book, J. R. Page and his flattering 
portraits, even with the assistance of Ambrose 
Stevens, can never compensate for the injury 
thev have done to Shorthorns. * * * 



PART XII. 

* * * When about in my 25th year, I 
used to go to visit my uncle in London, 
who lived in White Lion street, a close neighbor 
to Mr. William Gurrier, who was salesman for 
my father; and being fond of stock, I used to 
get up in tiie morning between 1 and 3 o'clock 
to ride with Mr. Gurrier to market, as Smith- 
lield began at this time by lamp light. He 
kindly took me through the cattle as he handled 
th-cm in their pens, frequently asking me which 
was the best bullock. If I differed with his 
judgment he explained it to me. I was always 
on hand at my uncle's door when he called for 
me. Mr. Gibiett was one of the best customers, 
and we frequently went to Bond street to view 
the stall of meat killed by this noted purveyor. 
We had not much chance of judging between 
the Herefords and Shorthorns, as he seldom 
killed any of the latter, which were at that 
])eriod very coarse and of inferior quality. Mr. 
Giblett's principal purchases were Herefords 
and Scots. Here we had a good chance to com- 
])are our judgments of alive and dead, and I 
again say here that no man can be a successful 
breeder of cattle of any breed unless he can 
discover true quality in the live animal. To 
do this, his hand mvist be his guide. 

The more Galloway and Highland blood they 
introduced into the crossed Durhams the more 
they improved them, hence, the name of "Im- 
proved Shorthorn." When the passion for up- 
standing style in Dukes and Duchesses became 
fashionable and fanciful, this improvement was 
destroyed, and good breeding was lost sight 
of. Mr. Giblett's establishment and his repu- 
tation for the hest stall of meat was extended 
far into the country, he killing nothing but 
Herefords and Scots. It was a great grati- 
fication to me to see the display of meat in this 
well-known and extensive establishment, and 
I was a frequent visitor when on a visit to my 
London friends. Evervthing was kept in the 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



21:^ 



iieatc'!>t order, he would iioi aiiow inferior car- 
casses of beef, nuitton or veal to enter it. It 
Has a pattern to all such estahlishments in that 
nietro])olis. There was not a breeder or farmer 
of any note in England, when visiting the city, 
but took a pleasant survey of it before they left. 
1 frequently talked to Mr. Giblett and his son 
about the Herefords. They always spoke of 
them in the highest terms, and as being the 
most profitable beasts for the butcher. 1 in- 
quired of several of the best butchers in sev- 
eral of the market towns in the country; all 
told me the same tale, but many of them said 
that they bought more Scots and Welsh cattle 
on account of the smallness of the joints, and 
because they could buy them cheaper than they 
could Herefords before they reached London. 

Go to O.xford and you find that all the first- 
class butchers say that they buy none but first- 
class Herefords to supply the colleges with beef. 
and here much of it is consumed. Go and ex- 
amine the extensive meadows rented by the 
principal i)utchers in that city, containing some 
of the best grazing land in the world ; there 
you will see none but the best Hereford steers 
and o.xen, all belonging to butchers, placed in 
the different lots, as a supply when wanted. 



It is highly gratifying to the lover of good 
stock and well-fed beef to go and examine the 
carcas.ses behind these white-faces, every 
meadow containing from twenty to forty head. 
1 lemember Mr. A. B. Allen, when in England, 
then editor of the "American Agriculturist," 
being struck with this display of Herefords, 
could not refrain from writing a paragraph of 
high praise as he viewed them from the terrace 
of Christ Church College. 

This was the principal market to which the 
noted and most worthy supporter of Herefords, 
Mr. Westcar of Creslow, Buckinghamshire, sent 
his well-fed Herefords. Mr. Richard Rowland, 
his successor, taking all things into considera- 
tion, found this his best market; he still holds 
to the Herefords as most profitable. Having 
liecome, like his uncle, thoroughly disgusted 
with the way the shows were conducted, he de- 
clined ever again showing an animal, notwith- 
standing he feeds the very best.- In a letter 
to me, which I published in the Albany "Culti- 
vator" of 184"i, he said he never would allow 
another animal of his under such treatment as 
the Herefords had at their shows. 




TEXAS 2-YEAR-OLD STEERS IN AN OHIO PASTURE. 
(Champions at CliiraEO Live Stork Exposition. 1901. Property of D. W. Black, Lyndon, O.) 



214 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



PART XIII. 

As many of the Herefords come, when calved, 
with spots on their faces, let me tell those con- 
cerned that it is no-disiDaragement to the breed. 
I have seen some of the best with mottled faces. 
Tomkins was a ijrominent breeder of the best, 
and preferred the mottled face, and many are 
descended to his favorite mottled faced cow, 
which, at that day, was considered as good as 
any, and those that run back to the Tomkins 
sort in this respect are generally good animals. 

The defeat the Bates Shorthorns have ex- 
perienced at the Bath and West of England 




A BUNCH OF MISSOURI YEARLING HEIFERS. 
(Bred by T. F. B. Sotham.) 

show, by the Herefords, has had a tendency to 
check tiieir breeders" vanity. I will here give 
extracts from the leading papers of England. 

The following is from the "Mark Lane Ex- 
])ress" of June 17th, 18T8, on the Royal Show 
o f that year : 

"We consider the Sliorthorn cow class to be 
a disgrace to that breed, and therefore to the 
lii-eeders. We are quite unable to discover the 
'grandeur' and 'superb character,' and the 'mag- 
nificent character' of these old crocks, which 
some of the Shorthorn fanciers appear to have 
the faculty of discovering, and do not hesitate 
to record them as being just a rough lot of cows. 
If their blood is of the bluest, their carcasses 
are of the ugliest, and are not worth anythiiig 
lieyond contractor's price when they come at 
last to the shambles. We can't help thinking 
that to a really unprejudiced mind there must 
be an evidence of a something outside agri- 
culture, and quite useless to the rent-paying 
farmer, in this Shorthorn 'fancy.' We are sen- 
sible of the improvement that has been effected 
already in the rank and file of our cattle 
throughout the country by the use of this Short- 



horn blood. We do not wish to detract one iota 
from its legitimate merits, but simply to [)oint 
out wherein it becomes sometimes a matter of 
ridicule to non-believers. We see prizes 
awarded systematically which are not calcu- 
lated to improve the production of either meat 
or milk in their descendants, and we are told 
tliat there is some marvelous power and virtue 
stoweil up in their veins, and that although 
their bodies — the casket — are unsightly, their 
blood — the jewel — is pure, potent and almost 
priceless. Well, we simply do not believe it 
as they put it. We are perfectly well aware that 
any 'terribly in-bred weed,' a wretch to look at, 
l)ut having an exceptional pedigree, will, if 
matched with mongrel-bred stock, produce a 
result whicli is far, very far, in advance of the 
mongrel-bred dams. So would any absolutely 
purely bred animal. Therefore, we think that 
farmers, those who have the production of beef 
and milk in view^ have a right to expect some- 
thing which is calculated to effect their object in 
a direct manner; no breeder of bullocks would 
give lierd room, much more a high price, for 
tlie bluest blood bull which did not carry a 
frame the character of which it was desirable 
to transmit. When a lot of highly bred, but 
not correctly fashionable young Inills, are to be 
l)ought for about thirty pounds apiece, and 
here and there one that has been bred correctly 
to fashion fetches three thousand pounds and 
would not be worth one shilling more to the 
food producer, then we think we are justified 
in saying that rent-paying farmers have already 
drawn the line Ijetween business and fancy by 
refusing to give more than a business price for 
a fancy article. We should be glad to see every 
young Shorthorn bull now in the breeders' 
"hands sold to tenant farmers, who would use 
tliem for meat or milk, as their requirements 
might decide, and are firm believers in the gen- 
eral usefulness and superior adaptability of the 
breed to any other ; but we feel it a duty to point 
out the ridiculous position the Shorthorn breed- 
ers seem content to occupy at our great shows, 
by the mixed qualities and low status of many 
of the animals exhibited, which gives oppor- 
tunity for pointing the finger of scorn, and 
leads to such questions as 'when is the bottom 
of this Shorthorn humbug likely to drop out T 
We hear a great deal about the 'alloy,' and if 
correctly informed, it means an infusion of 
Scotch blood of some kind, and to our mind the 
very thing these Shorthorns are now needing 
is another infusion — a strong one of some al- 
loy which will give them the thickness of flesh, 
the wealth of hair, and the butchers' form they 
so seldom possess, and tlien wi' slinuld l)e pre- 



1 S T () H Y OF H E K E F R D C A T T L E 



ilo 



pared to expect great tliinjj;^: from tlie renovated 
blood." 

The same paper, speaking of the Herefords 
at this same show, says: . 

"They are not so numerous as the more fash- 
ionable breed, but the quality throughout is ex- 
cellent. In the aged bidl class there are five 
animals of .which the Hereford men need not 
i)e ashamed. The heifers in milk numberetl 
only three, but two of them were such animals 
as it was worth while coming to Oxford on 
purpose to see. Mrs. Sarah PJdwards of Win- 
tercott took first and second, leaving Mr. Lutly 
the reserve, but Mrs. Sarah Edwards' Leonora 
(^ 107) is one of the most perfect animals that 
has been shown for years. It was first last year 
as a yearling at Liverpool, and will likely be 
first wherever it goes. The Champion prize 
given by the Oxfordshire Agricultural Society 
was also awarded to this heifer, as the best fe- 
male horned animal in the yard. The champion 
heifer, Beatrice (1| 108), is also very handsome, 
and took second to Leonora's first at the Royal 
last year, as it did last week at Oxford. Mrs. 
Edwards may well be proud of such stock as 
that. If Leonora had been a Grand Duchess, 
Shorthorn, a poem would have been composed 
in her honor, and translated in several lan- 
guages by this time, Init no Shorthorn that we 
have ever seen was east in such a mold as this 
Hereford heifer.'' 

Of the award of the champion prize, the same 
authority gives the following account: 

"One of the most attractive features of tiie 
opening judging was the awarding of the cham- 
jiion prizes given by the Oxford Agricultural 
.\ssociation, and a great deal of interest cen- 
tered in it. For the best Shorthorn animal in 
the yard the award was given by the Shorthorn 
judges, of whom there were but two, Jlr. Brew- 
ery and Mr. Trindall, and the contest was be- 
tween Mr. Linton's Sir Arthur Ingram and ^Ir. 
Marche's heifer Diana, and after some little 
time the bull took the ])rize card. To our minds 
the white bull calf Prince Victor was a better 
Shorthorn than either of them. He would be 
a bold man who would stake his reputation on 
a calf, as it may not realize the expectation 
formed of it, but taking the animals as they 
stood simply as merit actually possessed at the 
time, we thouglit the calf the best, nor were we 
singular in that opinion. Then the w'hole con- 
claves of judges came into the ring to decide 
which was the best male horned animal in the 
yard, and here the Shorthorn men were ho])e- 
lessly in the minority, cornered in a manner tbat 
does not often happen in a show yard. In vain 
Ml'. Drewerv cmitrasted the strong points of 



Sir Arthur Ingram with the weak ones of Mr. 
Roger's Hereford bull Grateful (]\ 109) ; it 
was all to no purpose; the rest could not get 
away from the Hereford, whose wonderful rib 
and forehand was too much for the Shorthorn, 
and the show of hands showed an overwhelm- 
ing majority for the Hereford. There is no 
doubt but that, had the Shorthorn judges been 
of sufficient numerical strength, they would not 
only have prevented this Hereford triumph, but 
also that which followed when the best female 
horned animal had to be decided upon, for it 
went sadly against the grain to award even such 
a heifer as Mrs. Sarah Edwards' Leonora the 
championship over the Shorthorn Diana, but it 
had to be done, and we think there were few 
outsiders who were not thoroughly satisfied. 
These champion awards were an unquestionable 
streak of lean for the 'fancy,' and we may de- 
pend on their not allowing such a thing to occur 
again if they can help it. This, coming after 
Paris, is about as much as they will be able to 
bear with patience. We should be glad to see 
sweepstakes judging of this kind more fre- 
quently." 

The Shorthorn men, gaining full control of 
the Royal Agricultural Society and the Smith- 
field Club, forbade the contest between the 
Shorthorns and Herefords thereafter, well 
knowing the consequence, should it again occur 
under impartial and sound judgment. The edi- 




.\EBRASK.\ RAXGE CALVES IN THE KANSAS CITY 

STOCK YARDS. 

(En route to Eastern feed lots.) 

tonal in the "Mark Lane Express" instituting 
comparison is true and was written by an im- 
partial scribe, shows plainly how others see it. 
The "Mark Lane Express" supported the Short- 
horns above any other breed, until they saw 
their error. Tlie interest in that paper was 
supported by the aristocracy of the country. 

I will conclude with a short sketch of Cap- 
tain Morgan's visit to ^fr. Hewer's in Glouces- 
tershirc. As I had crnssed the ocean with him 



216 



HISTOKY OF HEE E FORD ,C ATT LE 



in the old Philadelijhia and Hendrick Hudson 
seven times and return, we became thoroughly 
acquainted, were never more happy than when 
we could get a good joke on each other. The 
Captain's laugh was so hearty that it cheered 
"everyone who heard it, and this being my third 
trip for cattle, I engaged the steerage in New 
York to bring them in. Going out Captain 
Morgan agreed to go with me into the country, 
to see some of my friends. 

We went into Oxfordshire and tarried all night 
at the house of an old acquaintance, who was 
exceedingly glad to see us, to talk about the old 
country and the new, and, being early spring, 
the young rooks were fully fledged and ready 
to depart from their nests, a rook-shooting party 
was expected the next day. The host, the Cap- 
tain and myself went out to view the young ones, 
perched by the side of their nests ready to take 
their flight when confident of the strength of 
their wings. The host asked the Captain if he 
was a good shot. "I used to be a good shot 
with a rifle when young, and I think I could 
hit one of those chaps on the highest tree with 
one." The host fetched his gun and loaded 
both barrels ; the Captain brought down his 
bird. "Try again," said the host; he did, and 
was equally successful. "You may as well kill 
enough for a rook pie for dinner to-morrow, 
lii'forc tlir sliontcrs come in the afternoon." 







rs:., 1 






i^^ -tr 


A, M 




■2" 


■i 

I 




1 



RANGE CALVES BOUGHT BY T. F. B. SOTHAM FOR 
EASTERN FEEDERS. 

"\Vhy. do yon eat crow in England?" said 
tlie Captain, and he gave the American defi- 
nition, with one of his hearty laughs. 

"We consider young rook quite a favorite 
dish with us, and I do not think you will de- 
spise it to-morrow, after tasting it." So the 
Captain went on shooting until he killed a 
dozen, only missing two shots. 

"Why, you will do to compete with the best 
of them to-morrow." The uproarious noise the 
old and young rooks made in the rookery at- 
tracted a great deal nf the Captain's attention ; 



it amused him much. We strolled round the 
farm until tea time, looking at the Cotswolds, 
all of which were very good. 

After, the neighbors called in, to whom I 
was principally known, and the Captain soon 
became acquainted, as he prided himself on be- 
ing a "full blooded Connecticut Yankee," and 
knew how to ask a few questions. We smoked 
our long pipes, and drank our ale, or brandy 
and water, as tastes differed. The Captain told 
some good yarns about land and sea that amused 
the whole party. He almost made them be- 
lieve that roast pigs were in every shop window, 
with a fork stuck in their backs, inviting emi- 
grants to come in and eat them free of cost. 
One old gentleman said he thought it must bi.' 
a great country, but that he thought he was too 
old to emigrate. 

The next day at 1 o'clock we sat down to the 
rook pie. The Captain could not help thinking 
of crow. He said to me, "Do you eat crow?" 
"Certainly," said I, "and I bet you praise the 
crow as much as you did the gun with which 
you killed them." The top crust was short and 
flaky, the under crust savory ; the crow tender 
and of very nice flavor. The Captain looked 
at me and said "crow pie," as soon as he tasted 
it. I said, "How do you like it?" "It is good, 
so far, anyway." All were helped, and all en- 
joved it. The Captain began to think it ex- 
cellent. 

"I challenge you to a glass of wine," said 
the host. "Which will you have — port or 
sherry?" and after he washed the first serving 
down, he was ready to be served to a second. 
^Vho would have thought a Yankee could have 
supposed crow so good as this? The Captain 
said he never before enjoyed a dinner so much, 
"^riie host loaned the Captain his gun. and nearly 
every one of his shots brought a "crow." The 
guests thought the Captain a dead shot, and 
there was about a wagon-load of young rool<s 
in a pile from all the guns. All were anxious 
for a rook pie, and each took his share, the best 
shots having no more than those less successful. 
The Captain asked the hostess how she made 
that "crow pie." She told him that she took 
out the backl)one. which was considered bitter, 
and jointed the rest, which was finer than even 
partridge or pigeon, and the rooks being young 
were always tender and of fine flavor. The 
Captain said he wished they could convert the 
crows into rooks in America. 

It was now time to leave for Northleach, 
Gloucestershire, to visit Mr. William Hewer. 
William and myself being intimate friends from 
school-fellows, I was as much at home as if I 
had been in mv own house. William knew wr- 



11 1 s 'r () H Y o V 1 1 !■; If !•: f o i; d c a t t l e 



2ir 



wi^re coining and met us at the station. 1 said 
to liini tiiat "tliis is a Yaidav Captain I'roni 
Xew England, and 1 advise you to look out for 
liiui." "All right," said he, "and we will make 
a Hereford man of him." We got there Just in 
time for supper, which was a cold leg of mutton, 
i)read, cheese and water-cresses. The Captain 
said that he had eaten so much "crow pie" that 
he did not feel like eating any supper. The 
Captain liked water-cresses fresh from the 
spring, and that, with the Stilton cheese, re- 
freshed his appetite, and we supped together 
in merry mood, notwithstanding we had eaten 
crow. 

After supjjer we took our long pipes, and 
Miss llewer brought iu some mulled elder wine 
for a night cap. The next morning after break- 
fast William ordered his hunter, a mare four- 
teen years old I had sold him before I left Eng- 
land, as good a hunter as was ever under a 
saddle, and as good a pony that he rode around 
the farm, as ever was crossed by a man, and 
who knew as much as half of them. The grey- 
liounds came jumping round, and we were otf 
for a course. Hares were plentiful. "Which 
will you take, the old mare or the buy ? Sotham 
can ride either, and I will ride the pony,"" but 
the Captain cho.se the pony. We joked the Caj)- 
tain on his seat iu tlie saddle, and asked him if 
we should tie his legs. The first field produced 
a hare, and the greyhounds killed her before she 
got out of it. The pony became a little excited, 
but the Captain stuck to the saddle, and was 
highly delighted with the course, the first he 
had even seen. The next field William saw 
a hare in her form. "Now, Captain,"" said 
William, "go start for that tree and you will 
see her, whip her up; a hare will always lie 
very close when the dogs are round. We will 
give her plenty of law." Tlie Captain could not 
see the hare in her form, but he supposed he 
must be near her, so he popped his whip. Up 
jumped the hare and the pony jumped from 
under the Captain. He lay upon his back and 
tlie pony kicked up his heels at his leisure. The 
course lav in the adjoining field. Our horses 
took the wall in good style (t[ 110). The Cap- 
tain was soon on the top of it in great excite- 
ment. It was a capital course and our mutual 
friend was highly deliglited ; the wall gave him 
the advantage of seeing the whole of it. We 
afterwards killed a brace more hares and re- 
turned home to eat a coursed hare that had 
been hanging in the larder until ripe. It was 
fine, with the port wine gravy and currant 
jelly. "I tell you, Sotham," said the Captain, 
"this is about as good as crow. Why," said the 
Cajitain. as we joined in a glass of wine, "you 



JMiglish fellows live well. A fiue boiled leg of 
Cotswold mutton and tarnip.s, a roast hare, and 
an English plum pudding."' 

The Captain was as much at home as if he 
had known-Mr. Hewer his whole life, as they 
were two hearty, good fellows, well met. 

The next day we proposed to go and look at 
the cattle and Cotswolds that were to be 
shipped. As it was only half a mile to where 
the stock were, we agreed to walk and take the 
greyhounds with us. We walked about twenty 
yards apart. "So-ho !"" said William, "there 
she sits just before you. Captain; put her up." 
The hare being so near the color of the ground 
and she crouching into it so closely, the (Aip- 
tain could not see her until she jumped up. It 
was a good, strong hare, and the turnings were 





1 !: 


1 

^5 


u 


Wt^^^^ 


1 1 

-,' ',_.-• -^ ■-- 



A liuW OK STOrK lil'LLS. AT SHADELAND FAR.M, 
LAFAYETTE. IND. 

numerous. The hare got a little law, and went 
straight for the Captain. A hare, when pur- 
sued by greyhounds, never sees anything before 
her, as her eyes are always back upon her pur- 
suers. The Captain took off his new beaver, 
and as she was coming straight to him, put it 
fictween his legs to catch her. She went right 
straight into it, knocking the crown partly out, 
and the greyhounds being so close, came in con- 
tact with the Captain, nearly upsetting him. 
The Captain, gaining his equilibrium, gave one 
of bis most hearty laughs, which echoed over 
the hills and through the vales. Such a burst 
of laughter issued from this, out trio, that will 
be remembered to our latter end. The Cap- 
tain was highly delighted, and at her death, ran 
to take the hare from the dogs, forgetting his 
hilt, which lay at -a short distance from him. 

"By Jupiter," said the Captain, "did you ever 
see anything like that ? It will do for me to tell 
the Connecticut Yankees.'" We examined the 
hat, and the crown was about half circled. 
"Xever mind,"' said the Captain, "I suppose 
there is a hat store in Xorthleach." 

We then went to see the cargo destined for 
America. The Herefords were in one yard, 
the Cntswold rams, seventeen in number, in one 



■ns 



II 1 S T () K Y U F J:l E R E 1'' U H D C A T T L E 



pen, the ewes, eight, ui another. 1 never saw a 
man enjoy anything more than the Captain did 
in viewing this stock. "'Bemember, Mr. Hewer," 
said he, "I am a Connecticut Yankee, and like 
to ask questions. How do you manage to raise 
such stock as this, and keep them in such fine 
condition ? Why, the cattle look all alike, and 
the sheep all alike; liow can von tell them 
apart ?" 

"I know every sheep in my flock by its face, 
as you Icnow your children. The cattle are also 
familiar to me from calves. I like all of them 
as I do mv family. 1 do not like to sell any of 




SO.ME SHADELAND .MATRONS. 
(Herd of the late Adams Earl. Lafayette, Ind.) 

my best, Imt as my old friend and I have been 
attached to each other from school boys to- 
gether, I could not do less than let him have 
some of them. He bought the Cotswold rams 
at my sale and I think they are a good lot. 
Five of the ewes took first prize at the Royal 
Show at Oxford, 1839. I should be very sorry 
to have my culls go to America tinder such cir- 
cumstances." 

"There is something in that," said the Cap- 
tain, and we all agreed it was an amicable 
trade, and no man could feel more proper pride 
than the Captain that he was going to convey 
such stock to his country. 

As the Captain had to leave in the 4 o'clock 
coach, we made for home, and on our way had 
another course. This made the fifth hare. 
"Now." said the Captain, "Mr. Charles Dickens, 
of Pickwick fame, is going out in my vessel this 
trip, and if you will say which day you will be 
in London, I will invite him to dine with us 
on the vessel." So we agreed to be there three 
days before sailing day. The five hares were 
packed in a flag basket, and checked to Captain 
Morgan's quarters in London, and the Captain 
departed, saying that he never had such a pleas- 
ant time in his life. 



At tile entrance of the dock wc met the Cap- 
tain. As soon as he cauglit sight of us he 
hailed us with his new Northleach hat in hand, 
and with a laugh bearing no deceit, a most 
hearty grip was exchanged. On our way along 
the dock (|[ 111) there was one of the greatest 
old hags that could possibly be beheld. The Cap- 
tain gave me a flat-handed slap on the back. 
"Do you see that beautiful female':''" said he. 
"What would you do if there was no other in the 
world?" "Well, Captain," said I, "I am at a 
loss to decide in haste. What would you do?" 
"I would wash her up and take her." 

We entered the cabin of the Hendrick Hud- 
son, full of inerriment on our past actions. "We 
dine at five," said the Captain, "and Mr. Dick- 
ens will be on hand." 

Mr. Griswold, then the senior proprietor of 
the firm of the London Packets, was in Lon- 
don, and was invited to meet us. About half 
an hour lief ore dinner we all met on deck. I 
had met Mr. Griswold before, in New York, and 
after a formal introduction to Mr. Dickens, the 
Captain began to give a sketch of his. visit in 
the country, and his merry way of telling it was 
capital. "I ate crow there," said he, "and it 
was magnificent ;"' he explained why it was so. 
Mr. 6. understood wdiat was meant by "eating 
crow" in America, but Mr. Dickens did not un- 
til he heard the Captain's explanation. 

The bell rang for dinner in the cabin; there 
was a nice boiled leg of mutton and turnips. 
To this we did justice. Then came one of the 
coursed hares. Had her head been put in a 
crouching position instead of up, she would have 
resembled one sitting in her form. "So-ho," 
said the Captain, "shall I cut her up, Mr. 
Hewer?" "I suppose that is what you mean 
to do," said he, "and that will be the end of 
her." 

"Is that the hare that went through the Cap- 
tain's hat?" said Mr. Griswold. The port, 
sherry and champagne was ordered in to wash 
her down, and the steward had cooked her to 
a charm ; the port wine sauce and the currant 
jelly to encourage the appetite were all that 
could be desired. 

The Captain's peculiar history of his visit 
was highly interesting, as he told it with such 
glee. When we came upon deck the tide liad 
come in, and the vessel was far above the dock. 
Mr. Hewer said, "How are you going to get the 
cattle into this vessel?" The Captain looked 
at me as much as to say, "we have the joke on 
Hewer now.'' He called the first mate. "Mr. 
Starks." said he. "take Mr. Hewer down below 
and show him where you are going to cut the 
hole by the side of the ship for the cattle to 



HIS T O i; V U F 11 K H K F U H U C A T T L E 



2ly 



enter." The t^ailors, with tools iii hand, couUl 
not keep straight countenanees, and Mr. Hewer 
began to suspect, and with one of his most 
hearty laughs the Captain said, "So-ho, Mr. 
Hewer, you are floating now." "Sold," said 
William. "I'll pay the tine," so he handed out 
a half sovereign to the mate to treat the sailors. 

Mr. Dickens invited all to dine with him the 
next day, wiiic-h we did, and liad a very merry 
time. All through the trip, not one of us ex- 
ceeded what Englishmen call "market merry," 
which is just enough to become pleasant to 
each other. 

When the cattle came in Mr. Hewer came to 
the vessel to see tiiem loaded, and as the bull 
JIajor was dangling in the air in a sling, be- 
tween heaven and the decks, a tear came into 
his eye. When he was landed in the steerage he 
went down and caressed his old favorite for the 
hist time, and so with all the others. He al- 
ways disliked to see any of his favorites go 
away. 

The vessel was hauled out into the river, ilr. 
Hewer returned home, and the Captain and 
myself took train to Portsmouth. Here the Cap- 
tain w'as informed that Mr. Dickens could not 
leave until the ne.xt packet, so we were deprived 
of his company. 

* * * 

The old gentleman (Mr. Sotham) has gone to 
his rest, bnt not until he saw the triumph of 
the Herefords. and the breeding of Shorthorns 
started safely on the road to improvement, by 



rational breeding for practical results. The 
Scotch, which but recently was rated plebeian 
by Shorthorn breeders, anci therefore utterly un- 
fashionable, bids fair to revolutionize Short- 
horn breeding, and is destined to do the breed 
great good, if the breeders do not overdo it and 
replace. the "Bates mania" with a "craze for 
Scotch." 

Mr. Sotham would rejoice to see the present 
state of the Hereford breed of cattle. Coming 
into their own has not addled the brains of 
Hereford breeders ; they remain aloof from fads 
and fashion in pedigrees; they insist ever upon 
a superior individual with a good pedigree, and 
for such animals as embody a large degree of 
perfection in this desired combination, splen- 
did prices are readily paid. Like the veteran 
champion and father of the breed, all influential 
Hereford breeders ever bear in mind that the 
end of every Hereford is the block, and they 
deprecate any Hereford that would fail to give 
a good account of itself in the butchers" hands. 

Mr. W. H. Sotham was a half century ahead 
of his time ; he made every sacrifice for the 
Hereford breed, because he knew their true 
value. His work must be deemed successful, for 
he lilazed the path that is essential to pioneer 
work in every important movement. He laid 
the foundation upon which the Hereford struc- 
ture rests (^ 112) and he laid that foundation 
so soundly that, built up upon the same prin- 
ciple of truth and merit, it will endure so long 
as beef cattle are bred. 




ui r 1' 
(Scene at SbadeU 



Aiiaxi.; 

m, Lafayette. Ind.) 



220 



HISTORY OF HEKEFORD CATTLE 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Early Cattle in Kexticky — The '^Sevexteens' 



The following letter, written b}' Lewis San- 
ders and published in March, 1849, in the '"Cul- 
tivator," gives a full and exhaustive account of 
the early cattle interests of Kentucky: 

The first emigration to Kentucky — "the 
dark and bloody ground,"' the hunting grounds 
of the Southern and of the Northern Indians, 
W'ith the view of permanent occupancy, of hold- 
ing the country at all hazards, by men deter- 
mined to overcome the tomahawk and scalping 
knife by the use of the rifle, took place in 
1775-6. The country then belonged to Vir- 
ginia. A large proportion of the settlers were 
from that state, next from Pennsylvania, then 
North Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, etc. It 
is jDresumed that the emigrants broiight with 
them domestic animals, such as were then in 
use. H. Marshall, speaking of General Ben 
Logan, in his history of Kentucky, Vol. I, says : 
"In the fall of the year 1775, Colonel Logan 
removed his cattle and the remainder of his 
slaves to his camp (near where Danville now 
stands). Horses and cattle subsisted in the 
summer on the range, consisting of a great 
variety of nutritive grasses, including the buf- 
falo, clover and pea vines, luxuriant beyond 
description, and in the winter in the cane 
brakes." 

It seems to me that the general characteris- 
tics of the cattle of the United States at the 
commencement of the present century were very 
similar to those of Devonshire, Dorsetshire and 
Somersetshire, in England, as represented in 
prints of cattle in those counties in the last cen- 
tury. I have observed the cattle of Virginia, 
Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New 
York, and the New England States; they seem 
to have bad a common origin. 

The first improvement of cattle in Kentucky 
was made by Mr. Matthew Patton and his fam- 
ily, to whom the country is much indebted, for 
the introduction of several animals. An his- 
torical account is given by Dr. S. B. Martin, a 
highly respected and spirited agriculturist of 



Clarke County, in this state, which is herewith 
forwarded as a part of this communication. 
Judge Beatty, in his very valuable "Essays on 
Practical Agricultvire" (a book I recommend 
to all beginners to own), treats on this subject. 
These two papers combine all the evidence it 
is thought that can now be obtained relative to 
the Patton cattle. I have heard it intimated 
that the introduction of the Patton cattle in- 
creased the weight of the four-year-old bullocks 
25 to 30 per cent., besides improving the quan- 
tity and quality of the milk. This was a great 
gain. 

The next marked improvement in the breed 
of cattle was brought about by the impoi-ta- 
tion of some animals direct from England in 
1817. At that period and for many years 
previous, I lived in Lexington. My pursuits 
were otherwise directed than to agriculture, but 
I had early imbibed a fondness for fine stock, 
particularly horses and cattle. I admired good 
fruits and gave some attention to their culture. 
For several years I was in receipt of a variety 
of English publications on agricultural subjects 
and agricultural improvements, from which I 
got a glance of what was going on, in some 
I'cspects, in the old country. It astonished me 
greatly to see the enormous prices paid for par- 
ticular breeds. First, the Longhorns brought 
to a high state of perfection by the justly cele- 
brated Bakewell, Princep, Munday and Fowler. 
Towards the close of the last century they were 
at the height of their popularity. Mr. Princep 
refused 500 guineas ($3,500) for a two-year- 
old bull of his breed. He was offered £100 each 
for twenty dairy cows. He refused to let his 
best bulls go to his neighbors' cows for thirtv 
guineas ($i50) the cow. At this period (1789) 
the circulating medium was gold. The bank 
did not suspend specie pavments imtil 1797. 
Mr. Fowler refused 500 guineas ($3,500) for 
ten bull calves of the same breed, and let his 
bulls go out for the season (April 1st to August 
1st) for from £60 to £80 ($300 to $400). 



II 1 S T < ) If Y O V 1 1 !■; K I-; F () IM) (' A T T L K 



•^21 



Much time was rc(iuirc'(l. c-oiiil)iiiiii}i' cajiital, 
skill and untiring pcrseverant't', to bring this 
Iji'ucd to suc-h a high state of perfection. Not- 
withstanding all this, it was suffered to run out, 
almost to disappear, in the course of a few 
years. About the time the Longhorns were held 
in such high estimation commenced the im- 
provement of the Shorthorns. Skillful breed- 
ers, with Charles Colling at their head, brouglit 
this breed to a very high state of perfection. 
Their value was at its height in 1810. In this 
year a public sale took place. The list of ani- 
mals sold and the very high prices paid foi- 
each has been often published. Countess, out 
of Lady, four years old, brought four hundred 
guineas ($2,000) ; Comet, six years old, brought 
1.000 guineas ($5,000). He was bought by 
lour farmers. 

il seemed to me that if four farmers were 
willing to pay $.5,000 for a bull, there was a 
value ill that breed that we were unapprised of, 
and tliat I would endeavor to procure it. 1 
made up an order for si.x bulls and six cows. 
Jly views were then more inclined for good 
milking than for a beef breed. The weight of 
tht authorities, given by the writers on the sub- 
ject of cattle at the close of the last, and tlie 
commencement of the present century was in 
favor of the Holderness breed as the best foi- 
milking and the Teeswater and Durham as hav- 
ing the handsomest and most perfect forms. I 
settled on these breeds. In frequent conversa- 
tions with Captain William Smith about thr 
contemplated importation, he strongly urged me 
to include the Longhorns. IIi' had witnessed 
the nuirked ini])rovement made by the use of old 
Mr. Patton's first Longhorned bull, aiul he was 
extremely anxious to have a bull of that breed. 
I had some res])ect for him as a man, and con- 
fiiling in his judgment, two jjairs of Longhorns 
were added to the list. The order was for- 
warded in the fall of the year 1810 to 
Buchanan, Smith & Co.. Liverpool, with in- 
structions to cause selections to be made of the 
best young animals for breeders. All to be 
two years old in the following spring. 

First a bull and heifer of the Holderness 
breeiL to be procured from that district in 
^'orkshire. Next two l)ulls and two heifers of 
the Teeswater breed, to be procured on the 
river Tees, in the county of Durham. Then a 
bull and heif(>r of the D\irham breed and two 
bidls and two heifers of tlie Longhorn breed, 
no limit as to ])ri('i'. If the money sent was 
not sufficient to put that number on board ship, 
they were to be reduced so as to liave the best 
animals that could be had for breeders. 

Buchanan, Smith iS: Co. employed Jlr. Etches 



of Liverpool to go into tlie dift'ercnt districts to 
make the selections and j)urchases,-and he seems 
to have executed the orders with much ability. 
The following is the invoice : Cattle shipped 
on board the Mohawk for Baltimore, consigned 
to Messrs. Eollins & McBlair, merchants there: 

1. A bull from Mr. Clement, \\'inston, on 
the river Tee.s, got by Mr. Constable's bull, 
brother to Comet. 

2. A bull of the Holderness breed, of ilr. 
Scott, out of the cow that gave thirty-four 
quarts of milk per dav — large breed. 

3. A bull from Jlr". Heed, Westholm, by his 
own old bull. 

4. A bull of the Holderness breed from ilr. 
Humphreys, got by Mr. Wase's liull, of Ingle- 
ton. 

5. A bull of the Longhorn breed, from Mr. 
Jackson Kendall, out of a cow that won the 
jiremium. 

0. A Inill from the Longhoi'n breed, from 
,Mr. Ewartson, of Crosby Hall — is of a very fat' 
bi'eed. 




SO.ME SHADELAND YEARLINGS. 

7. A heifer from ilr. Wilson, Staindrop, 
Durham breed. 

8, n, 10. Three heifers from Mr. Shipman, 
on the river Tees — his own breed. 

11, 13. Two heifers of the Tjonghorn breed, 
from ilr. Ewartson, Crosby Hall — of Westmore. 

Tlie Mohawk arrived in Baltimore in May, 
1817. The cattle were safely landed, in good 
condition ; great pains had been taken in pro- 
curing comfortable accommodations for them 
in the ship, and an experienced herdsman was 
employed to feed and take care of them on the 
voyage. On arrival they were taken in charge 
by my friend, Jlr. -lohn Rollins, who caused 
them to be put into the )iastiire and particu- 
larly cared for. 

After the cattle had been shipped and be- 



222 



HISTORY OF HEEEFOIID CATTLE 



fore their arrival in Baltimore, I sold to Cap- 
tain William Hmith, one-third of the concern, 
and to Dr. William H. Tegarden another third; 
reserving to myself one-third onl}'. A suitable 
agent was sent to Baltimore for them and they 
wonld be brought to Kentucky at the joint risk 
and expense of the three parties. On their ar- 
rival at Lexington they were divided. There 
fell to my lot: Xo. 1, which I named Tecum- 
seh ; No. 2, named Sam Martin ; No. 8, named 
Mrs. Motte; No. 10, named Georgiana. 

Captain Smith's lot: Bull No. 5, which he 
named Bright ; No. 7, cow, which he named 




YOUNG BULLS AT SHADELAND STOCK FARM. 

The Durham Cow ; No. 9, cow, named Tees- 
water Cow. 

Dr. Tegarden's lot: Bull, No. i, which he 
named Comet ; No. 6, which he named Eising 
Sun; No. 12, Longhorn Cow. 

No. 10 died in Maryland; No. 3, bull, became 
lame on the travel out to Kentucky and was 
left on the way; he was afterwards received 
and sold by the company to Captain Fowler, 
who sold him to General Fletcher of Bath 
County, Ky., where he died. 

When the division took place, Captain Smith 
evinced great anxiety to own the largest Long- 
horn bull. Dr. Tegarden preferred No. 4, and, 
as neither of them were my favorites, I cheer- 
fully yielded, and in consequence they gave me 
the choice of the cows. I selected one of the 
Teeswater heifers and named her Mrs. Motte. 
It was a very pleasing occurrence to have each 
highly gratified with receiving the very ani- 
mals he preferred. 

The narrative of a pertinent coincident will 
not, I think, be deemed ill-placed. 

Mr. H. Clay being in England in 1816, hav- 
ing always had a fondness for other fine stock, 
conchided to send home some fine cattle. At 
this time the Herefords were great favorites 



at Smithfield. Either from Mr. Clay's own 
taste, or from the recommendation of others, 
he selected that stock, purchased a cow, a young 
bull, and heifer of that breed, and sent them to 
Liverpool to be shipped to the United States. 
It so happened that they were put on board the 
Mohawk, the same ship with my cattle, and they 
arrived together at Baltimore, where they were 
placed in the same pasture, and the agent that 
was sent for my cattle brought out Mr. Clay's 
to Kentucky. 

Although Mr. C. and myself at that period 
resided in the same city, and had always been 
personal and political friends from the time of 
his coming to Kentucky, in 1789, till March, 
1825, and our social and personal relations have 
been unchanged for fifty years, yet, neither Mr. 
C. or myself had the slightest knowledge or 
intimation of the intention or views of the other 
in regard to importing foreign cattle. 

Mr. Clay at one time had a good stock of 
horses. He bred the dam of Woodpecker, one 
of our best race horses, and he proved to be a 
good stallion. His flock of sheep were cele- 
brated for the fineness of their fleece. 

Having introduced the Herefords, I might 
as well finish them. 

At this time, 1817, Mr. Isaac Cunningham 
owned the largest and best grass farm in Ken- 
tucky — the identical farm settled by old Mr. 
Matthew Patton, the father of the Patton fam- 
ily, who introduced the Patton cattle. Mr. 
Cunningham was wealthy, had a good stock of 
Patton cows, and had been in the habit of sell- 
ing his young ones for breeders. Mr. Clay's 
good judgment led him to place the Herefords 
in the hands of Mr. Cunningham ; notwithstand- 
ing all these advantages, the Herefords made 
no impressions. In a very few years they were 
unknown as a breed in Kentucky, and at this 
day a part blooded one is rarely to be met 
with. 

As to the Longhorns (T| 113), although there 
were two bulls imported, the breed was nearly 
run out. Captain Smith kept them for a while, 
but he died soon after they were introduced ; 
his stock was neglected. The Rising Sun left 
a good stock in Clarke and Bourbon Counties, 
and for a while they were very popular with the 
feeders in these counties, but they have gradu- 
ally yielded to the Shorthorns. A mixture of 
Longhorn blood in a remote degree is deemed 
bv manv feeders of great value (and that is 
my opinion). The hide is thick, the hair is 
loiig and very closely set; they are of very 
hardy constitution, well adapting them to our 
mode of feeding. Cattle are not housed or 
sheltered, but fed nut in the fields, taking the 



11 1 S T ( ) i; Y O F H ERK V () 1! D C A T T L K 



223 



weallier as it comes. The Shorthorns have tliiii 
hitles, fine, short hair, and do not stand ex- 
posure to the weather so well. 

The importation of 1817 (alluding to which 
it seems that the Ijonghorns arc to be omitted ) 
gradually gained favor with the breeders and 
feeders. The young ones were very much 
sought after throughout Kentucky and parts of 
Ohio, and wei'e all sold for breeders. The Te- 
cumseh and Sam Martin were the principal in- 
struments used in elfeeting this great improve- 
ment. Mrs. Motte, the Durham cow, and the 
Teeswater cow were excellent breeders. Tlie 
Durham cow was equal to the best milk cow- I 
ever saw. Napoleon was her l)est bull calf. !Mrs. 
Motte was the neatest, the finest animal of the 
imjjortation. 

A year or two previous to 1831 I observed 
that my young cattle were not up to the mark 
of improvement that I wished to see progress- 
ing, but were rather falling back. The only 
remedy that I then thought, and still believe 
necessary, to arrest this downward tendency 
and to give a fair prospect of improvement, 
was the introduction of remote blood. 

Col. John Hare Powell of Philadelphia im- 
ported a number of animals of the improved 
Shorthorn breed, several years subsequent to 
1817. He ordered his selections from the best 
herds in England, with great particularity as 
to pedigree from the milking qualities, and 
without stint as to price. 

ily attention was directed to this stock to 
procure a cross on the Shorthorns of 1817. 

In the spring of the year 1831 I procured of 
Jlr. Barnitz of York, Pennsylvania, a j'oung 
bidl and three young cows of Col. Powell's 
stock. In several points their forms were bet- 
ter than those of 1817. The cross was very 
beneficial to me. 

Some few years afterwards David Sutton of 
Lexington introduced several animals of ilr. 
Powell's stock. 

Then otlier gentlemen imported cattle from 
Philadelphia, and from other parts of the 
T'nited States and from England, so that we 
had a number of l)ulls and cows from tlie best 
known breeds in England and in the United 
States. From this basis intelligent gentlemen, 
with abundant capital and great skill, have 
continued to ini])rovp by judicious crossing un- 
til we have arrived at a high state of perfec- 
tion, as to form and early disposition to take 
on fat, points most desired of all others by the 
grazier and the feeder. 

Notwithstanding that Col. Powell's stock 
were drawn from the best milking families in 
England, their descendants did not prove with 



us to be as good milkers as the siuck m 1817, 
iHir were they so healthy. 

The dairy is but a secondary consideration 
with a Kentucky farmer — beef is more profit- 
able, and, as the great object of all pursuits is 
money, the one putting most in the purse will be 
pursued. For a dairy of cows where there is a de- 
mand, selling milk is most profitable, next cheese, 
if the climate suits ; last, making butter. Cheese 
can be made here as well as anywhere else, but 
it costs too much labor to save it. Some writers 
say that it ought not to be relied on as a busi- 
ness south of 40 degrees. Butter could be made 
of the best quality, and in quantities, but it 
seems that the farmers prefer taking only as 
much milk from their cows as supplies their 
families with milk and butter, giving the re- 
mainder to the calves. From these considera- 
tions it would seem that the breed of cattle 
bringing most money from the butcher at two 
and three years old will give the preference with 
the grazier and the feeder, they using nine- 
tenths of the cattle bred in the State. 

It will be seen from what has been stated 
tliat great attention has been given to the breed- 
ing of cattle in this State for more than fifty 
years, and the course pursued has been to pro- 
cure the best breeds to cross with, so that we 
now have an excellent breed for the grazier and 
feeder — forms approaching near and nearer to 



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I.MPORTEn l:r 
(Sold for JS.OOO; propti 



ll'I.OMAT il^ 



Hamlet. Ind.) 



perfection, and an aptitude to take on fat at an 
early age, but in obtaining these grand objects, 
perfect form and early maturity, so much de- 
sired by the grazier and the feeder, we have 
sacrificed mainly the milking qualities. 

Whatever be the breed, there are certain con- 
formations which are indispensable to the 
thriving and valuable ox or cow. If there is one 
part of the frame the form of which, more than 



324 



H 1 8 T U K Y F 11 E K E F U K D C A T T L E 



another, renders the animal valuable, it is the 
chest. There must be room enough for the 
heart to beat and the lungs to pla}', or suffi- 
cient blood for the purposes of nutriment and 
of strength will not be circulated — nor will it 
thoroughly undergo that vital change which is 
essential to the proper discharge of every func- 
tion. Look, therefore, first of all, to the wide 
and deep girth around the heart and lungs — we 
must have both. The proportion in which the 
one or the other is preponderate may depend 
on the service we require from the animal ; we 
can excuse a slight degree of flatness of the 




THE FOU.\DATION OF AN OHIO HERD. 

sides, for he will Ije lighter in the forehand 
and more active, but the grazier must have 
breadth as well as depth. And not only about 
the heart and lungs, but over the whole of the 
ribs must we have both length and roundness 
— the hooped as well as the deep barrel is essen- 
tial. There must be room for the capacious 
paunch, room for the materials from which the 
blood is to be provided. The beast should also 
be ribbed home. There should be little space 
between the ribs and the hips. This seems to 
be indispensable in the ox, as it regards a good, 
healthy constitution and a propensity to fat- 
ten ; but a largeness and drooping of the belly 
is excusable in a cow, or, rather, notwithstand- 
ing it diminishes the beauty of the animal, it 
leaves room for the udder, and if it is also ac- 
companied by swelling milk veins it generally 
indicates her value in the dairy. 

The introduction of the Patton stock into 
Kentucky effected as much benefit to us in the 
improvement of our cattle in a little more than 
twenty years as was effected in England in more 
than sixty years. 

A printed report of a select committee of the 
House of Commons, in 1795, stated that cattle 



and sheep had increased on an average, in size 
and weight, about a fourth since 1732. 

The average weight of cattle slaughtered for 
the London market in 1830 was 65G pounds. 
(McCuUough's Dictionary of Com.) [Un- 
doubtedly dressed weight of 83 stone, which 
would be equivalent to 1,148 pounds live weight. 
T. L. M.] 

At Liverpool, about the same period, 600 
Irish beasts averaged 720 pounds.; 140 English 
beasts averaged 730 pounds; 60 Scotch beasts 
averaged 810 pounds. [These being dressed 
weigiits would make the live weights 1,148 
pounds, 1,277 pounds and 1,417 pounds respec- 
tively. T. L. M.] 

It would seem that our improved breeds ex- 
ceed these weights. Twenty fat cows w^ere sold 
in the early part of this month by one drover 
at Cincinnati, the average weight of which was 
over 1,000 pounds the four quarters [or by the 
English system of calculation 1,7.50 pounds 
live weight. T. L. M.] These cows were Ken- 
tucky bred. All but three had produced calves. 
" I expected to receive authentic data to state 
the average age and weight of the four quarters 
of cattle slaughtered at Louisville and Cincin- 
nati, for three periods. Though promised, the 
pa])er has not yet come to hand. 

In 1833 I took to Xew Orleans three bullocks, 
produced by a cross of the cows of the Patton 
and Miller stock bv bulls of the importation of 
1817. 

Xo. 1, red, six years old, live weight, 3,448 
])ounds ; Xo. 2, red, six years old, live weight, 
3,274 pounds; No. 3, brindle, four years old, 
live weight. 2,868 pounds. 

I sold these three animals together at auction 
for the sum of $925. I was at the Xew York 
State Agricultural Exhibiton at Saratoga in 
September, 1847. I very attentively examined 
the cattle stock there shown. 

The oxen were better than are generally to be 
met with in Kentucky, all others not so good. 

The Ayrshire cattle may be classed with our 
half-blood Durhams, from common cows. We 
can derive no benefit from a cross of Devon 
blood. The diminutive size and ill forms of 
the Alderneys would exclude them from our 
pastures. Our climate is favorable for breed- 
ing and rearing cattle. They are free from any 
marked disease. I have never known an epi- 
demic among them. 

It is the custom with some farmers as soon 
as the corn is in the roasting ear to cut it up, 
giving stalk and all to the hogs. The hogs 
'masticate the stalk — suck and swallow all the 
juice, throwing out the remaining fibrous mat- 
ter, which soon becomes dry. Cattle are very 



HISTORY 1<' 11 E R E F 11 D C A T T L E 



225 



fond of tills refur;c stuif, but when takuii in 
quant it ius it causes a dtTanguinent of thu mani- 
folds, for which no remedy lias as yet been dis- 
covered. At first the animal becomes restless, 
and is feverish ; soon after it begins to rub its 
head down and up a post, or anything it can 
rub against, manifesting the greatest pain and 
misery. It continues rubbing until it dies. I 
have seen several so affected with it and after 
rubbing commenced I knew of none to be cured. 
Upon opening the animal it is found that the 
manifold is entirely deranged, dry and hard, 
mortification having in some instances already 
commenced. The only remedy is to keep your 
cattle from the place where green corn stalks 
have been fed to hogs. 

Cattle of Ohio and Indiana are not so healthy 
as are the cattle of Kentucky. I was told by a 
Cincinnati butcher who supplied with beef a 
portion of the Jews of the city that he was com- 
pelled to procure his cattle for these people from 
Kentucky. The priest sticks the animal, which 
is dressed in his presence by the butclier. Upon 
opening the animal if any imperfection of the 
intestines is visible, such as blisters on the liver, 
etc., the priest remarks: "This one may do for 
the Christians, but will not do for theJcws — you 
must bring up another." The cattle of Ken- 
tucky have DO blemish; the intestines are in a 
perfectly healthy condition; so, we only can 
supply the Cincinnati Jews with beef. 

I was informed by Dr. Watts of Chillicotlie, 
a gentleman of intelligence and great enter- 
prise, who feeds and grazes on a large scale, 
that he would pay five jier cent more for Ken- 
tucky raised cattle for either purpose than he 
would for Ohio or Indiana cattle. He consid- 
ered the risk of life this per cent in favor of 
the cattle of Kentucky. 

There are three epochs in the history of Ken- 
tucky cattle; first, the introduction of the Pat- 
ton cattle, say in the year 1790, and some years 
afterwards the Miller stock of the like. These 
are generally diffused throughout the State, im- 
proving our stock twenty-five to thirty per cent 
in a ])eriod of twenty-five years. 

Second, the importation of 1817, which gave 
us finer forms and an aptitude to take on fat at 
an earlier age, adding twenty-five to thirty per 
cent upon the Patton improvement, in a period 
of less than twenty years. 

Third, the numerous importations made into 
Kentucky and into Ohio, from 1831 to 183G. 
from which has arisen the superior breed. 'To 
keep u]) this breed as it now is requires sound 
judgment and unceasing vigilance, or a deiline 
must follow. 

I recommend to the breeders in Kentucky to 



import at least half a dozen bulls from the 
Xetlierlands, Holland, or Northern Germany, at 
once, and renew such an importation every five 
or six j'ears, for twenty years, rather than to 
draw their bulls from the best stock to be found 
in England. I do not think it is desirable to 
have a very large breed, but form and early ma- 
turity are not for a moment to be lost sight of. 
A skillful breeder endeavors to shape the ani- 
mal so as to carry most flesh on the valuable 
points, to have the loin and hind quarters much 
the heaviest, as these parts bring to the butcher 
the most money. 

Lewis Sanders. 

Grass Hills, Ky., December, 1848. 

Dr. Martin, to whom Mr. Sanders refers, 
gives the following information : 

Dear Sir : Your letter of the 25th ult. is 
just received, and I will try to answer your in- 
quiries. Y'our first question is. What breed, 
cross or variety (of cattle) has been found most 
profitable in your region for beef ; and what 
for the dairy? The improved Shorthorns and 




THE EXPOSITION BUILDING, CHICAGO. 
(Home of the American Fat Stock Show.) 

their crosses are most profitable for beef. They 
are of large size and fatten easily at any age, 
so as to come to early maturity, and they carry 
a large portion of their flesh upon the best parts 
and their beef is of an excellent quality. They 
pay better for food consumed than any other 
cattle that I have fattened or grazed. 

In regard to the milking qualities of the im- 
proved Shorthorns there appears to be much 
diversity of opinion, some contending that 
they are the best milkers had in the country, 
and others that they are worthless. The truth 
is, that some tribes of Shorthorns are remark- 
able for the quantity of milk they give and 
other tribes are equally so for their small yield. 

I purchased two cows at Col. Powell's sale in 
1830. One of them, a cow of the Daisy tribe, 
was a steady milker, giving from twenty-eight 
tothirty-two quartsof milk daily. The other was 
scarcely able to raise her calf. And the quali- 
ties of each have been transmitted to their de- 
scendants for several generations. The cows that 



226 



HISTOEY OF HEKEFORD CATTLE 




I imported from England were all fine milkers, 
and so are their descendants. The cows of these 
milking tribes are generally thin whilst giving 
milk, but fatten very quickly when dry. The 
steers of the milking tribes are equal and gener- 
ally superior as grazier's stock to the others. 
Mine has been superior, which I attributed to 
having been better nourished by their mothers. 
Second. Which of the breeds imported in 
1817, the Longhorns or Shorthorns, have suc- 
ceeded best? 

There was a close contest, for many years, be- . 
t\\oen the Longhorns and Shorthorns and Hero- 
fords. Each had 
their advocates 
and each pro- 
duced a stock that 
was a great im- 
provement as 
grazing stock 
upon the native 
and " P a 1 1 n 
stock" (as the old 
unimproved Short- 
horns introduced 
by Mr. Patton 
were called). This 
contest was kept 
up until about 
1830, when the 
advocates of the 
Shorthorns became most numerous. The Long- 
horns and Ilcrefords were gradually bred to 
Shorthorn bulls, until the pure breed of the 
former are nearly extinct. (U 114) 

Third. How do the Longhorns of that im- 
portation (1817) or their descendants compare 
with the Patton Longhorns ? 

Mr. Patton was one of the original importers 
in 1783 of two breeds of cattle. They were then 
called the milk and beef breed. The milk breed 
was Shorthorns. The beef breed had longer 
horns; but / have always supposed they were 
the unimproved Herefords. I am not aware 
that there were ever brought into Kentucky 
any of the full-bred beef breeds, so that my 
opinion that they were Herefords is based upon 
the appearance of the half-bloods that I have 
seen. Mr. Patton brought to Kentucky the full- 
bred milk breed and half-blood cows of the beef 
breed, and Mr. Smith brought also a bull which 
was half beef and half milk breed, called Buz- 
zard. Mr. Patton's Shorthorns were very fine 
animals. They were fine-boned, heavy-fleshed 
and came early to maturity and fattened kindly 
and were extraordinary milkers. They were 
much larger than cattle that we had in the 
State previously. Mr. Patton brought only one 



REYNOLDS, CHICAGO. 



cow of this breed, and she had no female de- 
scendants. The produce of these fine cattle 
were very much injured by breeding them to 
bulls which were descendants of the beef breed, 
such as Inskeeps, Brindle and Smith's Buzzard. 
These cattle produced large, coarse, big-jointed 
stock that came slowly to maturity, difficult to 
fatten, and when fully grown were of enormous 
dimensions. This was the state of things in 
1817 when your importation of Shorthorns and 
Longhorns was made. I remember well exam- 
ining the Longhorn bull Rising Sun, soon after 
Messrs. Cunningham & Co. bought him, and I 
then thought him the finest animal of the ox 
kind I had ever seen. His stock was very fine 
— vastly superior to the coarse stock above de- 
scribed. I sold a cow (got by Rising Sun) to 
a butcher who paid me for a thousand pounds, 
not meat [about 1,750 lbs. live weight. T. L. 
M.], a very unusual size for a cow in those 
days. 

Fourth. How do the Shorthorns imported 
in 1817, or their descendants, compare with 
those that have since been introduced, includ- 
ing those of the Ohio Importing Co. ? 

The Shorthorns of 1817 were fine-boned, 
heavy-fleshed animals that came early to ma- 
turity and fattened much easier than the Patton 
stock (especially after the latter had been mixed 
with the beef breed). They fattened mostly on 
the outside, so that they always showed their 
fat to the best advantage. Their fiesh was rather 
inclined to hardness, which was a considerable 
drawback upon their excellence. 

The best of the improved Shorthorns, intro- 
duced within the last twenty years, have all the 
good qualities that the stock of 1817 had, and 
have these additional advantages: Their flesh 
is soft (tender), and they throw a portion of 
their fat among the lean so as to marl)le it. 
The beef is of a better quality and they take on 
fat much easier. They are as forward at three 
years old as the stock of 1817 were at four, or 
as the Patton stock were at six. But. 
the later importations have had greatly the ad- 
vantage of the stock of 1817 in having the im- 
provement made by the latter to start with. 
Some of the finest animals I have ever seen fat- 
tened were a mixture of the two breeds. I think 
there was some of the importation of 1817 that 
did not have that hardness of flesh, but they 
soon became so mixed in their descendants that 
it was a general characteristic, (f 115) 

f'ifth. If you were now to choose a stock for 
general grazing purposes in your State, what 
breed or breeds would you select from ? 

I should have no hesitation in preferring the 
improved Shorthorns to every other kind of 



HISTOEY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



227 



stock that I have ever seen, for the grazing in 
this region of country. 

Sixth, (iive as full a description as you can 
of the qualities of each breed, as they have been 
developed with you, embracing remarks on com- 
parative size, form, activity, hardiness and ten- 
dency to disease of the different breeds. 

The original breed of cattle in Kentucky 
strongly resembled the old unimproved Devon- 
shire cattle. They were small, thin and diffi- 
cult to fatten — cow weighing when fat from 
three to four hundred pounds. [This undoubt- 
edly means dressed weight, the corresponding 
live weight being 525 to 700 lbs. T. L. M.] 
These cows were good milkers, giving a moder- 
ate quantity of rich milk. I do not know that 
they were subject to any other disease but the 
hollow horn, a disease brought on by poor keep 
in winter, so that the pith of the horn is frozen. 
It was cured by boring a hole in the horn. 

The introduction of the Patton stock in 1785 
and subse([uently made a considerable improve- 
ment in these cattle. Cows of the Patton cross 
would weigh when fat from 6 to 7 cwt. [Mean- 
ing dressed weight, or 1,050 to 1,225 lbs. alive. 
T. L. M.] There was such a general disposition 
to increase the size that the coarse-jointed, 
large-boned animals were selected and saved as 
breeders generally, from 1785 to 1817, and the 
consequence was at the latter period the Patton 
stock (as all these cattle were called) were 
very coarse. The size of some of these cattle 
was enormous ; but they did not weigh, net, near 
equal to their size. The graziers at that period 
did not like to attempt to fatten cattle until 
they were four years old. The importation of 
1817 improved the coarse cattle very much, in- 
creasing their disposition to fatten. They came 
earlier to maturity, were gentler, better dis- 
posed and had much less offal. Whatever repu- 
tation the Shorthorns acquired in Kentucky 
prior to 1830 was owing to the importation of 
Shorthorns, and they had great reputation. 

(11 116) 

The improved Shorthorns introduced within 
the last twenty years has been a great improve- 
ment upon those imjiorted in 1817, and those 
of Mr. James Prentice of Lexington in 1818. 
At the last cattle show that we had in Win- 
chester I showed a three-year-old steer, a mix- 
ture of the stock of 1817 and the improved 
Shorthorns since introduced; and the judges 
put his weight at 750 pounds. Shortly after 
the fair I sold tliis steer to Mr. Brinegar. who 
took him to New Orleans, and when butchered 
he weighed 1,242 pounds. I mention this cir- 
cumstance to show how much more weight is 
contained in the same bulk ; for if this bull had 



been of the Patton stock his bulk would have 
given him about the weight the judges laid him 
at. A few months before I had sold to a 
butcher in Lexington a steer two years and eight 
months old that weighed 1,025 pounds. I sold 
a heifer six years old to B. Roberts, that weighed 
when driven to Cincinnati 1,487 pounds. Last 
year I sold to Mr. Horn a five-year-old heifer 
that weighed 1,116 pounds. Both of these were 
mixtures of the stock of 1817 and later impor- 
tations, and the last was uncommonly small for 
her weight. I regret that this last was not 
weighed before she was slaughtered that I might 
know the difference between her gross and net 
weight. However, I can give you the gross and 
net weight of a four-year-old steer sold to the 
same gentleman. His gross weight was 2,000 
pounds and his net weight 1,280 pounds. All 
these net weights are exclusive of hide and in- 
side tallow, taken out with entrails. 

As regards the diseases of all the above, 
they are very few, if bred from healthy stock. 
The most formidable disease of the improved 
Shorthorns with me has been the milk fever. 
I lost two of my imported cows and one that I 
purchased at Col. Powell's sale with it. It 
chiefly attacks cows that are fat and have their 
calves in very warm weather — the attack being 
in a few days after calvinir. 1 never knew anv 
but fine milkers to 
have it, and not 
until they have 
had several calves. 
The udder be- 
comes very large, 
hard and hot. 
They soon appear 
to lose the use of 
their hind legs 
so that they can- 
not stand. I have 
• cured some by 
large bleeding 
and purging 
freely with Ep- 
som salts. But 
prevention is far 
butter, which may be generally accomplished 
by preventing the cows from having calves in 
warm weather. Healthy parents generally 
produce healthy offspring in this region. You 
are aware that cattle in most of the adjoining 
States are diseased, particularly in the liver. 
These cattle produce sickly progeny, which 
seldom look as well as stock from more 
healthy parents. And I have noticed calves 
from them to be very subject to bowel 
complaints. 




EMERY, CHICAGO. 



338 



HISTOKY OF HBKEFORD CATTLE 



Seventh. What breed of cattle is best for 
driving long distances? 

This question is more difficult for me to 
answer than any of the others, as I have very- 
little experience in driving cattle ; but I am told 
by persons who have been engaged in this busi- 
ness that the improved Shorthorns, when fat- 
tened young, do not stand long journeys well. 
I should suppose from their make that the 
Herefords would he the best travelers. The im- 
proved Shorthorns make excellent oxen, as they 
never get overburdened with flesh while they 
have plenty of hard work to do. The breed is 
more gentle and docile than any others that we 
have had. Yours respectfully, 

Sam'l D. Martin. 

Near Coll)yvillc, Ky., Dec. 4, 1848. 

We present these complete and authoritative 
statements to show that while the "seventeen" 
importations included Herefords and that these 
were not by any means first-class specimens of 
the Hereford breed, yet they had enough of 
the naturally inherent thrift of the breed, so 



that the "seventeens" owed considerable (to say 
the least) to the Hereford for the thrift and 
quality they became particularly noted for. The 
"seventeens," as a family of Shorthorns, were 
never fashionable because of this Hereford al- 
loy. But at the same time no Shorthorn fam- 
ily surpassed, if any equaled, them in real 
merit. 

Evidence of this Hereford blood crops out 
frequently in the descendants of the "seventeen" 
importations to this day, as witness the steer 
John Sherman, whose portrait we give. (^ ll(i) 
Mr. Gillette, who bred this steer, reports the 
dam a "white-faced cow" of unknown breeding, 
descended, as are all his herd (Shorthorns), 
from the earlier Kentucky stocks. The so- 
called "seventeen" families being given the 
greatest credit for excellence of the Gillette 
hei-d. 

The presence of this old grazing blood un- 
doubtedly has had a most favorable influence 
in making the reputation of "Gillette Short- 
horns" for superiority above the pure-bred 
Shorthorn for range purposes. 




WILLIAM WATSON 

(UNCLE WILLIE). 

(Father of the Angus cattle 

in America.) 



11 1 8 T () 1! Y () F 11 E li E E O 1{ IJ C A T T L E 



229 



CHAPTER XY. 

RE^^VAL OF Hereford Interest in America 



From 1S50 to 1871, although Hereford eattle 
in America were making friends for themselves 
in their immediate vicinity and had very 
staunch friends in all who bred and handled 
tliem, tliey were not so widely known as their 
merits deserved. 

This, possibly, was owing to the tremendous 
upheaval in the political world of America, ter- 
minating in the Civil War that occupied the 
entire attention of the people from April, 1861, 
to 1865. There were very few families either 
North or South but what sent their contribution 
of father, son or brother to the armies. The 
price of all produce of the farm was high. The 
price of meat was correspondingly high. The 
farmers and stock raisers all made money with 
such stock as they had, and did not feel that 
urgent need of improvement that came later. 

in 1871 I determined to spend the balance 
of my life upon the farm if we could find a 
way to make it profitable; and in view of this 
determination we gave two year,s to careful in- 
vestigation as to the best methods and practices 
for olitaining this result, and this investigation 
brought lis to the adoj)tion of the Hereford 
l)reed of cattle. We were familiar with Mr. 
Sotham's fight for Hereford cattle through the 
files of the Albany "Cultivator," etc., which we 
had preserved, and these cattle were again urged 
upon our notice by ilr. William Powell (^ 117), 
who was then acting as our forenum. As a re- 
sult of our investigations early in February, 
1872, we made our first purchase of six or eight 
head of Hereford cattle. 

In March or April following we bought three 
more at the sale of W. W. .Vldrich. Elyria, Ohio ; 
two or three months afterwards we bought of 
Dyke and Creed, in Ohio, some twelve or tliir- 
teen head. Soon after we purchased six heifers 
from John Humjjhries, Elyria, Ohio, and about 
the same time we bought" for .$1,000 gold the 
Hereford bull Sir Charles (:li;M) 513 from F. 
W. Stone of Canada. 

From time to time as opportunity presented 
itself, we purchased from others; from D. K. 
Shaw of Chautauqua his entire herd, and later 
the herd of H. C. Huricii:li of Maine, excei)ting 



one cow and calf; from H. Woodward's estate 
in Kan.sas, the entire herd, and quitf a number 
at different times from Mr. Parsons of Pitts- 
field, Ohio; several from Mr. Thomas Clark, 
then of Elyria, Ohio; several from the Hon. 
John Merryman, Cockeysville, Md. (j[ 118) ; 
and in 1873 imported from England Dollv 
Varden (Vol. 9, p. 279) 5, and her bull calf 
Success (5031) 2. 

When we had become satisfied of the value of 
the breed we undertook to make it known 
througli the advertising columns of the agricul- 
tural and live stock journals of the country. 
We found a very warm opposition from the 
Shorthorn interest as against their introduction, 
and ceased to make any strenuous efforts to in- 
troduce them among farmers in the States. 

In the meantime quite an extensive corre- 
spondence had grown up with the ranchmen at 
the West. There seemed to be a demand from 
that quarter that promised success, but it proved 
difficult to bring out of that correspondence any 
results. 

The plains of Colorado (T| 120) were, in 
1874, still the home of the buffalo, but cattle 
were being rapidly brought north from the 
great breeding grounds in Texas to stock them 
with beef animals. Denver, at that time, was 
the center for cattle men, they coming here for 
their sup])lies and making it their headquarters 
when not off on the range. 

We took our first shipment of Herefords that 
went away from home to be sold, to Denver, 
Col. This consisted of five Hereford bulls. 
Three of these were sold in the spring of 1874 
to Mr. Geo. Zweck of Longmont, Col. Thev 
were Plato (4843) 590, Duke of Beaufort 
(4527) 744 and Hervey (4644) 815. The first 
was four years old, the second was two years 
old, the third one year old. These bulls were 
put upon the range. Plato, the four-year-old, 
had been a show bull, and kept in high condi- 
tion. He held this condition when on the range 
and continued a vigorous stock-getter for eight 
years. The other two bulls were reported eleven 
years later as still in fine condition and yet in 
service in Wvoming, in the herd l)elonging to 



230 



HISTORY OF 11 E R E F II D CATTLE 



Mr. Zvveck and his nejjhcw. Mr. Zweck paid 
in 1874 for the three bulls named $1,350. Hav- 
ing had eight and eleven years" service, we 
would like to ask ranchmen vi'hether such pur- 
chase would seem to them to have been a good 
investment ? It is simply a representative one 
that may be repeated with Hereford bulls in 




A CARTOON OF 1882 BREEDERS JOURNAL 
("The Shorthorn committee discover the dam of Mr. Mil- 
ler's grade Hereford steer Kansas.") 

the experience and practice of any ranchman. 
Long prices may be, as in this ease, the best 
investment. 

Two other bulls taken at this time w'e sold to 
Mr. Powell at Canon City, Col, for $900. We 
followed this shipment by another in the fall 
of the same 3'ear that were sold to the honorable 
P. P. Wilcox, Geo. F. Lord and others. 

In 1875 we took a carload of Hereford bulls 
to Denver, and they were sold to Mr. John Hit- 
son at Deer Trail, Col., about fifty miles east 
of Denver, on the Bijou. The grass was fine 
there, the country not being overstocked. These 
bulls, although in high condition when turned 
■ out on the ranges, not only held it, but next 
spring after running out all winter, never see- 
ing a shed or a barn, or any feed except wdiat 
they got from the plains themselves, had round- 
ed out, and thickened up, and had such splendid 
rough, curly coats of hair that they had proved 
their fitness for range conditions. 

We took two carloads of Hereford bulls to 
West Las Animas, on the Arkansas River, Col., 
in the spring of 1876, all thoroughbreds and 
good ones. After five months of work, wo sold 
them to cattle men as far west as Pueblo, on 
the river, and south to the Cimarron River in 
New Mexico. The Hall Bros., John W. Prow- 
ers (11 121), Abe Cronk, the Reynolds Bros. 
(H 122) and the Jones Bros, being among the 
purchasers. These shipments were followed by' 
others up to 1877. or until a demand was cre- 
ated that reached back to the States for grade 
Hereford bulls. And this demand from the 
plains for grades made a demand for the pure- 
breds to cross upon Shorthorns and other cows 



to produce bulls for this trade; and from that 
tijne there has been a steady 'and increasing de- 
mand for Herefords that has more than kept 
pace with the supply. 

While at work among the great cattle herds 
of the West to create a demand for the Here- 
ford cattle by taking the cattle out to these 
gentlemen and showing them what superior 
beef animals they were, we were not idle in ex- 
hibiting our cattle at the various shows in the 
East, md doing all that lay in our power to 
secure fair play for the Herefords. 

This was a gigantic undertaking, as the fairs 
were, as we shall show, under the control of 
Shoi thorn men. The judges were all appointed 
1)> them. We trust we shall be pardoned if it 
shill ippear to any of our readers that we have 
gone too much into detail in showing up the 
tixudb that were practiced; also the opposition 
th \t w as encountered by the Hereford cattle and 
their breeders. 

It was a matter of great expense to fit show 
herds, and a further great expense to ship them 
over the country for the purpose of educating 
the people as to the great merit of the breed. 
This was particularly so in 1876 when we took 
our show herd to the World's Fair, the Centen- 
nial Exposition, held at Philadelphia. This 
trip cost $1,200 for expenses only, we being 
there two weeks. There were no money prizes, 
but we have a bronze medal (T| 123) in our pos- 
session that was awarded to us as first prize, 
the cattle being spoken of in the following lan- 
guage : 

"Their exceedingly fine character, form and 
quality entitle us to consider them to be first- 
class specimens of the Hereford breed and 
worthy of our highest commendation." Suc- 
cess (5031) 2 was at the head of this sweep- 
stake herd. This herd at the Northern Ohio 
Fair, held at Cleveland, Ohio, won first sweep- 
stakes for best bull and four cows or heifers, 
owned and bred by exhibitor ($150), and first 
sweepstakes for bull. Success (5031) 2, and 
five of his get, $75. This was in competition 
with the best Shorthorns in the United States. 

We visited Lafayette, Ind., with our herd in 
1877, at which time there was no class for Here- 
fords, they not being recognized in their pre- 
mium lists. The society, however, awarded the 
following certificate : 

"Office of the Secretary of the Tippecanoe 
County Agricultural Association, Lafayette, 
Ind., Oct. 9th, 1877. On Saturday, the 8th 
day of September, 1877, at a meeting of the 
Directors of this Association, on the fair 
grounds, the following proceedings were had. 
to-wit : On motion, the following preamble and 



IIISTOUY OF llEKKFOKD CATTLE 



231 



resolutions were uiianiinously adopted by the 
Board: 

"Wlierms, Air. T. L. Jlilk'r, Will County, 
Illinois, breeder of tbort)Uf;bbred Hereford eat- 
tle, lias exhibited his herd of thoroughbred 
Herefords at the annual fair for the Tippecanoe 
County Agricultural Association for 1877, at 
which there had been no ring or class of individ- 
ual entries provided in which he could show his 
stock, which, of necessity, compelled him to ex- 
hibit at great disadvantage, and 

"Whereas, The said herd were very generally 
admired by the visitors attending the fair, in- 
cluding gentlemen conceded to be experts in the 
matter of breeding and handling beef cattle, for 
their great uniformity of marking and their 
general feeding and fattening qualities; be it 
therefore 

"Resolved, That the thanks of this Associa- 
tion are due and are hereby extended to Mr. 
Miller for affording the visitors at said fair, in 
so substantial a manner, with a pleasing variety 
in the show of thoroughbred cattle, and that 
he has the best wishes of the Association for 
his future success in an enterprise which has 
the laudable purpose of improving the breeds 
of beef cattle. 

"And the secretary is ordered to make out a 
certificate of this action of the Board and for- 
ward same to Mr. Miller. 

"(Signed) Daniel Eoyse, Secretary." 

Among those who examined the Herefords 
here were Messrs. C. M. Culbertson, Moses 
Fowler, W. S. Van Natta, Adams Earl, A. D. 
Raub, Robt. W. Sample, Chas. B. Stuart and 
others, whose attention for the first time was 
then drawn to the great value of Hereford 
cattle, and all of whom afterward became breed- 
ers o'f Herefords, in most instances getting their 
start from our herd. 

Two weeks later Mr. Culbertson bought five' 
head that were in this exhibit. Five years later 
the show of Herefords at Lafayette in 1883 was 
very gratifying and encouraging to the Here- 
ford interest, and it seems hardly possible that 
such a change could be wrought in five years, 
and thus, what had at the time seemed a some- 
what discouraging exhibit, really proved one of 
the most successful ever made by an exhibitor. 

In the year 1879 ilr. C. JI. Culbertson sent 
Mr. Geo. Morgan (who was then my superin- 
tendent) to England to purchase as good a herd 
of cattle as could be found. The result was. 
if we remember rightly, the importation of 
thirteen head. In 1880 we imported 1 OH head 
from England, and Mr. 'Morgan imjiorted for 
Jlr. Culbertson and Mr. Hershey of Muscatine. 
la., something over 200 head. From that time 



the importations have increased, in some years 
amounting to over 1,000 head. Public sales 
were held in this country at which the higher 
range of prices has been from four hundred to 
fifteen hundred and odd dollars per head. 

Our beginning with Herefords, like Mr. So- 
tham's, was up-hill work, and had we depended 
upon the farmers" trade of the agricultural 
States we .should, like him, have been over- 
powered by the hostile Shorthorn interest, .but 
on the plains we were enabled to promptly show 
results, so plain by comparison, that the Here- 
ford was victorious from his first introduction. 
But we are convinced that the Herefords are 
the best "general piu'pose" or farmers' cattle, 
and believe Hereford breeders shoiild never be 
content till their merits are well known by 
every farming community of the whole country. 
On the range, when known, they have the field 
alone without a rival, but until every bovine has 
assimilated the true Hereford thrift his all- 




SHORTHORN cow CONQUEROR. A BREEDERS' 
JOURNAL CARTOON OF 1SS2. 
("While the Shorthorn breeders claim the virtue of grade 
Hereford steers due to Shorthorn dams, the farmer 
looking on decides that the credit is due to Hereford 
bull.") 

conquering work of improvement must be vigor- 
ously continued. 

It is easier for some Hereford breeders to "let 
well enough alone;" to be satisfied with exist- 
ing conditions; to curry favor with the opposi- 
tion, and at the same time reap where they have 
not sown from the active sowing of others ; and 
while the herd of an active advocate of Here- 
fords should not be patronized more than these, 
unless he really has a breed of Herefords equal- 
ly good or superior, if equal, the great body of 
Hereford breeders always will, as they always 
have, yield a loyal support to those whose cat- 
tle, pen and voice are ever doing honest, intelli- 
gent and meritorious service for the Hereford 
cause, and therefore for the betterment of the 
chief product of American agriculture, — good 
beef. 



332. 



HISTORY 01' HEliEFOED CATTLE 



CHAPTER XYI. 



An Incident of an Early CmcAcio Fat Stock Show 



The Hereford breeders considered that if 
they could only have a fair contest with other 
breeds on the butcher's block they would 
win a victory over all other breeds that could 
not be gainsaid. They estimated that a re- 
liable and accurate record of every jjart of the 
slaughtered animal would be kept, and facts as 
to the percentage of dressed meat to the live 
weight, and also the weight, both live and 
dressed, would be something that could not be 
talked down or hid. 

We are very glad that these records of the 
Chicago Fat Stock Show of 18T9 are available. 
At that show a Hereford, a Devon and Short- 
horn were dressed in competition. We present 
here an engraving (|| 124) taken from a photo- 
graph of the rib roast cuts from the Hereford 
and Shorthorn steers. Both show wcll-marbled 
meat, but neither show as well as they would 
have, had the weather been cooler. Neither of 
the beeves ought to have been cut ; the meat 
of either not being as good for being cut so 
warm as it would have been had it had time to 
cool. The Hereford suffered the most in this 
respect, from being the thicker-fleshed — nearly, 
or quite, 40 per cent. Both show marbling and 
well-marbled. Another point is that the beef 
was too fat. This is perhaps true. True for 
economy in making and economy in use; but 
the breeder who came before this show or Smith- 
field with lean steers would have gone away 
with little credit and no honors. 
- If these steers were made over-fat, there was 
a point where J:hey could have stopped, and 
their meat shows them to have had good feeding 
qualities. 

Thus much in common ; but it is fair to give 
somewhat of a com])arison of the two. The 
Hereford steer was one of fourteen steers, all 
that there was of the lot, and was from a com- 
mon native cow and by a Hereford bull. 

The Shorthorn steer was one of sixty, selected 
from 600, and from a herd that has had an 
American and English reputation for years as 
the best steer herd in America, if not in the 



world, and probably no breeder in the two coun- 
tries stood higher as a breeder of steers than 
did Mr. John D. Gillette. {^ 125) 

Probably no man understood better the char- 
acter and merits of a bullock than did Mr. Gil- 
lette. There was no man that was more familiar 
with the individuals of his herd than was Mr. 
G. Under all of these advantages the Short- 
horns came to this test with the prestige of be- 
ing from the most noted herd in this country. 
A selection of one from sixty and sixty from six 
hundred — the one of six hundred selected by 
the most experienced breeder in America. 

It must therefore be conceded that the Short- 
horn came to this test with all the advantages 
that an animal of the breed could claim or wish. 

Mr. G. entered two steers for dressing — 
Snowflake and Drake, both three and under four 
\cars, and selected from these the steer Drake 
— said to be three years old May 1.5, 1879, out 
of a three-quarter Shorthorn cow and by a thor- 
oughbred Shorthorn bull. 

The Hereford steer was three years old May 
15th, 1879, and it is well to state'that the exact 
age of the two steers was not a matter of rec- 
ord, Init were claimed to be three years old, and 
dropped as near as could be ascertained in May, 
and called the 15th. 

On the record the two steers stood as to age 
alike. 

For some reason the Gillette steer was not 
measured, and therefore the measurements of 
the Hereford are not used, as there is no means 
of comparison on these points. 

The age alike, the gross weight of the Here- 
ford 1,963 pounds, and the gross weight of the 
Shorthorn 1,795 pounds. Stating these facts, 
we will give the official statement of the society, 
made up by the secretary : 

LOT 9. DRESSED BULLOCKS. 

Not less than two entries will be considered. 

The l)ullocks to Ije killed, dressed and weighed 

under directions of the awarding committee. 



11 1 S T K Y OF HERE F K D C A T T L E 



233 



The dressed carcasses to remain the property 
of the exhibitor. Bullock dressing the largest 
jiercentage of meat in proportion to the live 
weight, $50. 



This is perhaps enough to say on this sub- 
ject here, as we have treated the subject else- 
where, but there are some few points of eom- 
pari.son that the report does not bring out. The 



y. 


KXIIIBITOU. 


> 

3 


-5- 

25 a. 
ft 


•< • 

a-. 


BREED. 


N.ViMK (IK STEEK. 


1 




1274 
1254 
1274 


1963 
16H 
1795 


1.56 
1.31 
1.41 




'• Barney." 

".lini Lockwood." 


■> 








.1. D. (illlette, Elkhart 














12G7 


1790 


1.42 












Premium: $50, to grade Hereford steer Bar- 
ney, exhibited by T. L. Miller of Beecher, Will 
Count}", Illinois. 



steers being of the same age, the Hereford had 
made 1.56 lbs. per day. The Shorthorn had 
made 1.41 lbs. per day, a difference of .15 in 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE. 



NAME 

OK 
STEEK. 


BKEEll. 


:5 


i 


a ? 


1 

•-I 


o 
a 
1 
1 




i 


1 


E 






1: 
if 




































: ° 














113 
96 


178 
145 






Grade Hereford.. 
Crade Devon 


1963 
1614 


1317 
1U55 


67.09 
65 36 


371 

277 


364 
275 


305 
25G 


287 
247 


55 
49 


106 
95 




".lim lyookwood". 


175 




Grade Shorthorn 
Average 


1795 


1179 


65.73 


308 


303 


285 


283 


47 


90 


97 


165 


227 






1790 


1183 


66.06 


318 


310 


282 


272 


50 


97 


101 


159 


198 



The superintendent of the Cattle Department 
made up on all classes a report of the reasons 
as given by the committee for their judgment. 
And such a report was commenced on tliis class 
and started off by stating the Hereford steer to 
be the oldest by three or four months. AVe have 
sought from the records of the society a copy of 
his report on dressed steers, but are informed 
that no report was filed. 

Learning of his claim, or that of the com- 
mittee as to age, the Hereford men called the 
superintendenfs attention to the heads of the 
two steers, which hung near by. The Shorthorn 
with a full four-year-old mouth and the Here- 
ford with a three-year-old mouth. 

To ex]ilain more satisfactorily as to the ages 
by the teeth, we bad engravings made of a three 
and four-year-old mouth. (If 126) 

It will be perceived that the three-year-old 
shows for the corner teeth the two calf- teeth ; 
these were gone in the Hereford steer, one of 
the cavities still emiity, and the other showed 
the new tooth just above the gum. 

The four-year-old teeth re])r('sent the mouth 
of the Shorthorn (Drake) that was dressed. 



favor of the Hereford. The reader, from the 
teeth statement^ may add to this as per his judg- 
m en t. 

The Hereford head, paunch, stomach, etc., 
weighed 362 pounds. 

The Shorthorn head, paunch, stomach, etc., 
weighed 371 pounds, or, for the Hereford 18.4 
per cent ; for the Shorthorn 20.8 per cent. The 
Shorthorn 3.4 per cent more waste offal than 
the Hereford. 

The Hereford shows hide and tallow, 284 
])ounds ; the Shorthorn shows hide and tallow, 
245 pounds, giving the Hereford 14.46 per cent 
valuable offal and the Shorthorn 13.65 per cent 
valuable offal, being .81 per cent more for the 
Hereford ; and of net to gross weight 1.36 per 
cent in favor of the Hereford. 

Thus, in every point of comparison the Here- 
ford shows the best record. 

The reader must not forget that the Hereford 
was one of eight three-year-olds, and that 
five of the eight were selected to show in St. 
Louis in October and contracted then to 
In delivered in December. It was intended 
to take the best five, and hence five of the 



234 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



eight were drawn before this selection was 
made. 

That the Shorthorn was one of six hundred. 

And another point to keep in mind is the two 
sets of teeth. 

With these facts accessible to each reporter of 
this test, the impression attempted to be carried 
out was that the Hereford won by main 
strength; that is, because of greater net weight, 
seeking erroneously to convey that if the quality 



should have been taken into account the victory 
would have been with the Shorthorns. This at- 
tempt to detract from the value of the award 
we endeavored to make fruitless. It might 
have been stated that had the superintendent 
had the selection of a committee to pass on the 
merits of the steers, it would have gone as the 
awards on the three-year-olds, the one-year-olds 
and the cows. 




WerefoT^ NeYsw's SVovc-Wom ,ot Vow tVe *t)\\0Y\-\\ft'c^?r'S y_ 



■ A BREEDERS' JOURNAL CARTOON OF 1886. 



11 1 S T U U V F 11 E U E F O K D CATTLE 



CHAPTER XVII. 



Opposition Encountered by Herefokd Exhibitors, 1877-8-9 



It must be remembered that during the years 
immediately preceding the first strictly beef 
show that was inaugurated by the Chicago Fat 
Stock Show in 1879,- the Hereford cattle were 
handicapped at tlie different State and district 
fairs, by having no class provided for them, 
or, if there was, small and insignificant pre- 
miums were offered for them in comparison 
with those offered for the Shorthorns; and at 
the best it was a one-sided affair and it was 
intended to be so. Shorthorn breeders or their 
friends were made judges in each competition 
and the programme was made up for them to 
win. 

We are aware that the charges of manipulat- 
ing judges for the purpose of carrying any in- 
terest is quite a serious charge. We would not 
make it did we not believe it to be true; and 
with the fullest evidence to support the charge ; 
or if we believed the practice would be discon- 
tinued without it. We will not be tedious in 
bringing up a large number of eases, but will 
touch on a few of the prominent ones. 

First, we will name what occurred at Ottawa 
in 1877. The Hereford exhibitors asked for an 
impartial and able committee when they should 
come in competition with the Shorthorns. This 
appeal was made to the president and several 
of the vice-presidents. It was granted that 
the Hereford breeders had a right to an impar- 
tial committee. And it is possible that the su- 
])("rintendent had instructions on this point; 
at any rate, he gave the Hereford exhibitors the 
assurance that they should have his best en- 
deavor to get an impartial committee or judges. 
Ih' advised the Hereford exhibitors that he had 
finally selected a referee to complete the com- 
mittee, who he believed would be impartial and 
competent. That referee was Jlr. J. H. Spear, 
one of the leading Shorthorn men of the State. 
It is well, however, to state that both the super- 
intendent and the marslial of tlie ring who offi- 
ciously assisted him were and had been promi- 
nent Shorthorn breeders for years ; and the 
ninrshal had been the salesman for the Short- 
horn herds of the entire West. 



Again, at Freeport in 1878, the Hereford ex- 
hibitors asked of the board that they would take 
special jsains to see that fair and impartial 
judges should be selected for herd and sweep- 
stakes premiums, and proposed that President 
Gilham and ex-President Eeynolds should select 
these judges. This was agreed to. They were 
so selected and the Herefords in the first contest 
took the first premium. The Shorthorn breed- 
ers made a row and would not submit their 
claims to this committee for further contest, 
whereupon the aforesaid Chief Marshal was 
delegated to form and select the committee, and 
did select them in the interest of the Short- 
horns, when the Hereford exhibitors withdrew 
from competition. 

Again, at the fat stock show in 1879, when 
the Herefords and Shorthorns came into com- 
petition, the Hereford four-year-old steer, be- 
longing to T. L. Miller, took the first premium 
over all the breeds. This was the signal for 
another row, the result of which was a partisan 
contest. 

We have before called attention to this ex- 
hibit, and we now repeat some of the figures to 
show the character of the animals in compe- 
tition, and the challenge given to dress the bul- 
locks and cows from the Hereford exhibits 
against the winning Shorthorn steers. 

Our State Board had for many years, perhaps 
always, brought all the beef breeds into com- 
petition at the State Fair until this year they 
followed the practice of the Northern Ohio, 
Michigan and other State societies in excluding 
competition between breeds. This and other 
instances positively indicate that when Short- 
horn breeders cannot control the decisions they 
use their influence to prevent competition. It 
i'j perhaps only another evidence that the Short- 
horn men had influence enough to say what 
should be and what should not he at fairs and 
fat stock shows. 

In the first class of steers in the Chicago Fat 
Stock Show in 1879, four years old and over, 
the winning steers were a grade Hereford first 
and a grade Shorthorn second, the former be- 



336 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



longing to T. L. Miller and the latter to J. D. 
Gillette. 

For steers three and vmder four there was a 
large number of entries. The steers taking the 
awards were first a Shorthorn and second a 
Devon : 



Name of Animal. Date of Birth. 



1. T. Stevens, G. S. H. Apr. 25. '76 1294 1986 1.53 

2. Jim Locliwood. D'n. June 4, '76 1284 1649 1.28 
0. Barney. G. Hereford May 15, '76 1275 1991 1.56 

There were other Hereford steers before the 
judges, perhaps better than this, but this is well 
enough. 

For steers, two and under three years, both 
awards went to Shorthorns ; there was only one 
Hereford entry. We give below the age, weight 
and gain per day of the winning steers and of 
the Hereford steer: 



B Name of Animal. Date of Birth. 



1. Victoria Dulie, G.S.H. Apr. 22, '77 932 1532 1.64 

2. P. Cooper, G. S. H. Dec. 14, '76 1059' 1534 1.44 
0. Alex., G. Hereford Aug. 15, '77 820 1474 1.80 

This record needs no comment. 

For steers one and under two years old there 
were fourteen entries — three or four of those 
were Herefords. The first and second premiums 
went to Shorthorns. We give the following fig- 
ures in reference to the winning steers and one 
of the Herefords : 



Name of Animal. Date of Birth. 



1. Mciyiullen, G. S. H. 

2. C. S. Reed, G. S. H. 
0. Putnam, G. Hereford 



Mar. 5. '76 
May 15, '78 
July 12, '78 



1196 1.97 
1300 2.38 
1152 2.39 



This review of the four classes of grade steers 
where the Herefords and Shorthorns were in 
competition with the tables showing ages, 
weights and average gain per day from birth, 
is in each class in favor of the Herefords. The 
only question remaining open is the one of 
quality. To test this Mr. Miller, the owner and 
exhibitor of the Hereford .steers, made a propo- 
sition to test the.se awards by dressing the bul- 
locks as follows: 

Chica£;o, 111., Nov. 14, "70. 
Hon. J. R. Scott, President of the State Board 
of Agriculture of Illinois : 

The object of your Board is to determine. 



among other things, the comparative value of 
the different breeds of beef animals. Among 
other ways, expert judges of beef animals are 
called upon to pass upon the merits of such 
animals as are brought before you. This will 
determine the merits — excepting the errors of 
judgment and prejudices in favor of different 
breeds. 

To correct such errors and prejudices, if any 
exist, 1 will submit my cattle that have come in 
competition with other breeds to the direction 
of your Board, to be slaughtered as follows: 

My grade Hereford steer "Ben," four years 
old, which took the first (1st) premium in Lot 
5, against the four-year-old steer that took first 
(1st) premium in Lot 6. 

My three (3) year-old steer Barney against 
the first (1st) premium steer in Lot 5. 

My yearling steer Putnam against the first 
(1st) premium yearling steer in Lot 5. 

My yearling steer General against the year- 
ling steer that took first premium in Lot 6. 

My cow Jennie against the cow that took first 
premium in Lot 6. 

The best of each of these animals to be deter- 
mined by the quality of the meat of each ani- 
mal, and the greatest amount of dressed meat 
to the gross weight of each. 

Very respectfully yours, 

T. L. Miller. 

In reply to this proposition the following en- 
dorsement was made, and the papers returned 
to me : 

Illinois State Board of Agriculture, 

Chicago, Nov. 15, 1879. 

Respectfully returned with the statement that 
the matter contained herein has been duly con- 
sidered by the Board, and that the Board has 
decided not to depart from the published pro- 
gramme for the Fat Stock Show in this request 
at this late date. 

Jos. R. Scott, President. 

The following entries were made for the 
])remiums for dressed bullocks: 









t 




S3 


Name of Animal. 


Date of Birth. 


a 




n ^-^ 








— 


— • 










< ■ 


^ 


iaS 


Boynton. S. H. 


Dec. 13, 


•77 


697 


1338 


1.92 


Snowflake, G. S. H. 


June 1, 


'76 


1257 


1978 


1.57 


Drake, G. S. H. 


May 15, 


'76 


1274 


1799 


1.41 


Barney. G. Hereford 


May 15, 


'76 


1274 


1991 


1.56 


Putnam. G. Hereford 


July 12, 


'76 


483 


1152 


2.39 


Jim Lockwood, Devon 


June 4, 


■76 


1254 


1619 


1.31 



The above entries were made by parties as 
follows: Bovnton, by J. M. Brown & Sons, 
Berlin. 111. : Snowflake and Drake, by J. D. Gil- 
lette, Elkhart, 111. ; Barney and Putnam, by T. 



H T S T f) Tl Y OF IT E IJ E F R D CATTLE 



237 



L. Miller, BeecluT, III.; Jim Lockuood, by L. 
F. Hoss, Avon, ill. Besides, our Hereford cow 
Jennie was entered for dressing. We offered 
the owner of the cow taking the premium to 
dress his cow against ours, which was declined. 
We then offered ten cents a pound for the cow. 
This was refused. The dressing would have 
been a fitting and proper test by which to have 
tried these verdicts. 

In the above table there is evidence to show- 
in the three-year-old classes that the Hereford 
was certainly a better steer than the Devon, and 
the dressing of these steers proved this con- 
clusively, as between the first premium steer 
and the Hereford the difference is so light that 
only the dressing would determine the fact — the 
difference is, however, in favor of the Here- 
ford. 

In the two-year-old class the Hereford shows 
.IG pounds per day from birth the largest gain ; 
and he was certainly the ripest and smoothest 
steer of the lot. 

In the one-year-old class the Hereford shows 
a trifle the largest gain per day, and for quality 
and thickness of flesh the Shorthorns could not 
compare with him, and he would have dressed 
ten pounds to the hundred more than either the 
first or the second premium steer. 

The large exhibits of Hereford cattle thai 
we have had made at many of the prominent 
fairs were found to be a desirable feature by 
the several managers, and we had many cordial 
invitations to show over the West. We were 
promised fair play and a classification for the 
Herefords. To these invitations we gave in Au- 
gust, 1880, the following reply: 

"Your favor inviting me to exhibit at your 
fair this fall is at hand. While I should 1k> 
glad to exhibit on your grounds, if I were ex- 
hiliiting at all, I have to reply that I deter- 
mined last fall that I would not exhibit breed- 
ing stock in the future, and for these reasons : 
that the condition in which stock must be put, 
if success in faking premiums is secured, endan- 
gers fhe breeding quality of the animals ex- 
hibited, and, beyond this, is wasteful and ille- 
gitimate, and the fact that this custom has been 
folhiwed for years is no reason why it should be 
confituied. 

"There are none that realize these facts more 
fully than the exhibitors themselves. I fol- 
lowed the exhiiiitions for years, with some suc- 
cess as an exhibitor. I have had large numbers 
on exhibition and in good condition. If it has 
not resulted in as much loss of good breeding 
animals as some others, it has been because the 
feeding lias not been pusluvl to such an extent 
as others have done, and the feeding has been 



conducted with good judgment and my breed of 
cattle has more constitution to stand the strain. 

"Our showing brought the Herefords into 
notice and gave them a credit they might not 
have obtained without it. We followed this 
showing, not that I might prove my cattle better 
than other Herefords, but that we might prove 
the Herefords better than any other breed, and 
this showing of breeding stock has been the only 
opportunity that we have had of bringing them 
in competition with other breeds. We were 
obliged to show under the great disadvantage of 
having Shorthorn breeders make our rules and 
our judges. We, however, won substantial hon- 
ors, even under these conditions, over the Short- 
horns, their breeders themselves being our 
judges. 

"This is not all. Nearly all the societies that 
have been prominent at the West exclude this 
competition as between the Herefords and' 
Shorthorns. Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, 
Wisconsin, Iowa and St. Louis offer no compe- 
tition between breeds. 





^^^^^^^^Hk 


4 


' t^^^^HI 


' ''^- ■ 


^jB 


■ H: 1 


w 



A TYPICAL BULL'S HEAD, CORRECTOR 48976. 
(Photograph from life.) 

"The Minneapolis Fair Association, con- 
ducted by Col. King, does offer open competi- 
tion between breeds, and he offers liberal pre- 
miums, and I should be glad to go there and 
give that association such help as my herd and 
flock could, to make his fair the greatest success 
of any show this fall, and I will give all the aid 
I can to see that the Herefords are well repre- 
sented there, and should he another year give 
the competition he offers now to breednig stock 
and fat steers I will agree that the Herefords 
shall have a representation that will be credit- 
able to his show and to the breed. 

"The societies that I have named as having 
shut off competition as to breeds are run by 
Shorthorn breeders and in the interest of Short- 
horn cattle. Some of the officers of these socie- 



338 



HISTOEY OF HERETO ED CATTLE 



ties say I cannot afford to kee]) my cattle off 
their show grounds. Perhaps not. Tlie future 
will determine this. There is one thing about 
this : these societies cannot afford to rim fhem 
in the interest of the Shorthorn breed of cattle. 
The people arc inquiring for the best breed and 
they are looking for the proper tests of merit as 
between the different breeds, and they would 
look to the State and district societies for a 
solution of this question. They have done so 
in the past, supjxising that societies taking the 
names of our great commonwealths to designate 
their special organization, conducted by men 
selected from the different congressional dis- 
tricts, and holding office under official seal, in 
the name of the people, for the purpose of se- 
lecting the best kind, and the best of the best 
kind : I say, it- has been supposed that men 
acting thus under the great seals of the dif- 
ferent States, and ostensibly for the public 




TUGS. ASTOX, ELYKIA, O. 

benefit, wore doing what they professed, and not 
for their individual benefit ; and when they, the 
people, shall recognize that all this machinery 
has been used to advance the Shorthorn inter- 
est, there will be as much use for them as there 
is for the old ruined castles and monasteries of 
the Old AVorld. 

"I have shown under these managements, un- 
der this order. I have known when on these 
grounds that there was as much chance of win- 
ning against Shorthorns as there was to be 



struck by lightning; still, I have gone on, hop- 
ing there might be a time in the future when 
this partialism should pass away. But this hope 
has never passed. When these men could no 
'longer carry their ends, they say they will not 
permit competition as between breeds. Having 
decided on this, there is no further object in 
visiting these show grounds. 

"This work of Shorthorn breeders was fairly 
illustrated at Ottawa (Illinois State Fair) when 
Mr. was superintendent of the cattle de- 
partment. I was making a very good show, 
and I asked of the president and ex-president 
and several of the vice-presidents that they 
would see that fair and impartial men were se- 
lected as judges to pass on the herd and sweep- 
stakes premiums. I claimed I had a right to 

this. It was admitted, and Mr. admitted 

the right, and after great protestations of try- 
ing, said to me he thought he had a good com- 
mittee, and the last men selected had been se- 
lected after a very careful and laborious search, 
a search that had been so burdensome that he 
was obliged to get the aid of that other impar- 
tial and disinterested vice-president and offi- 
cial, C'ol. , and the combined efforts of 

these officials — one the cattle superinten- 
dent, the other the marshal of the ring, and, 
after a laborious and painstaking search of the 
State they found Mr. Spears, another disinter- 
ested and impartial man, to place as one of the 
judges to pass on the merits of the Herefords 
and Shorthorns. Mr. (the superintend- 
ent) is and was a prominent Shorthorn breed- 
er. Col. is and was all this and, besides, 

was the salesman that sold all the Shorthorns 
of the great West; and the judge selected was 
one of the leading, and perhaps at his best, the 
leading Shorthorn breeder in Illinois. 

"These are the kind of men that have run the 
cattle department of the great Board of Agri- 
culture of the State of Illinois. The farmers 
of Illinois and the West wish to know the best 
breeds for a given purpose, and they will find 
a way by which to determine it. I am not pre- 
pared to say that the showing on the fair 
grounds of Illinois has not been a benefit to 
the Herefords. I think it has ; but there may be 
ways and means by which the Herefords can be 
brought before the public. We may find one of 
these ways, and find it by bringing breeding 
stock in ijreeding condition and fat stock in fat 
condition. 

"The steer is the legitimate product of any 
beef breed. I will endeavor to show to a rea- 
sonable extent this product, and will take the 
liberty of using the public shows or find some 
other way. For the present I will not show breed- 



HIHTORY OF 11 E U E F 11 D CATTLE 



239 



ing stock in fat stix-k coiulilidii. :nul will not, if 
1 can avoid it, show Horefonls against Short- 
horns with Shorthorn men for judges. A prom- 
inent Shorthorn advocate calls my attention to 
the premiums oft'crcd at Jlinneapolis — $825 in 
class and for best herd — and asks if Herefords 
are not in full force what will be the reason? 
Well, for myself, I have decided not to show 
breeding stock; butitis somewhat singular that 
this Shorthorn advocate is anxious for the repu- 
tation of the Herefords. 

"Very respectfully. 

"T. L. Miller." 
First Western Showing Fat Steers. — 
The end and profit of all beef herds of cattle 
is the butcher's block; but previous to the de- 



termined eil'ort made by Hereford catth^ breed- 
ers to show to the public that their cattle were 
by far the best beef cattle, both in economy of 
production and dressed carcasses, no effort had 
been made at the several State and Agricultural 
Shows, to bring out a beef exhibit in the way of 
fat steers. 

The St. Louis (Mo.) Fair always liad, in 
those days, much the best attended and success- 
ful show in the West. That fair in 1879 made 
a move in the right direction, by offering a large 
and remunerative premium for the five best 
fat steers. This was a new feature in their fair 
and the premium was awarded to five Hereford 
steers, shipped from within forty miles of Chi- 
cago and owned by the writer. 




PURE HEREFORD COW JENNY. 
Chicago Fat Stock Show, 1878, bred by T. 



2i0 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



CHAPTER XYIIL 



Impartial Judges Needed 



It had been remarked iipon several occasions, 
"the enormity of Miller, that insignificant 
Hereford cattle breeder", charging a conspiracy 
upon a large number of Shorthorn men, mem- 
bers of State Agricultural Associations and di- 
rectors of Fat Stock Shows, to suppress and de- 
fraud the Hereford cattle of their rightful hon- 
ors. To meet this, as well as to show what 
Herefords have had to contend with, we have 
gone quite fully into the facts, and presented 
the evidence tending to prove our position and 
say what we think that it proves, thus giving all 
a means of Judging whether we were right or 
not. 

That impartial judges were needed, and also 
men of intelligence and fairness, to award the 
prizes at the several fairs,, was so conspicuous 
a fact that the leading daily paper at Chicago, 
"The Tribune," had the following to say, after 
the Fat Stock Show in November, 1881 : 

"Nothing is plainer to the average observer 
than the necessity for improvement in the mat- 
ter of selecting judges to act in the various cat- 
tle rings at the Chicago Fat Stock Show, and 
unless radical changes for the better are made 
before another year rolls round, the great show 
will lose caste, and become, in the eyes of the 
people, simply a place where a certain class of 
breeders are given preference over all others, 
without reference to merit. 

"The members of the State Board are gentle- 
men of excellent reputation, who, of course, 
would not countenance anything which had the 
appearance of unfairness. 

"Several of the committee awards of last 
week were the subject of unfavorable comment, 
and the grounds for complaint and adverse 
criticism were perfectly well grounded. It is 
to be deplored that charges of unfairness were 
made under any circumstances, but in the cases 
referred to, there was a palpable lack of discre- 
tion, at least, on the part of the management in 
allowing the same set of judges to act in more 
than one sweepstake ring. The judges could 
take but one course, and that was to simply en- 



dorse their own decisions, as to do otherwise 
would have amounted virtually to stultifica- 
tion. 

"In several cases it was i;nnecessary to take 
the cattle into the ring to undergo the farce of 
an examination by the judges, and it would 
have been just as well to have tied the blue rib- 
bon onto the winning cattle while in their stalls. 

"The force of this proposition may be readily 
shown in the case of Mr. Gillette's steer McMul- 
len. (^ 12?) This animal, which, by the way, 
is fairly entitled to rank among the very best of 
high grade stock, was shown in a ring of 
twenty-one steers, composed largely of Short- 
horns, for the prize offered for the best steer in 
the show three years old and under four. It may 
be presumed that the judges were governed en- 
tirely by the question of merit, and after a crit- 
ical examination the prize was awarded to Mc- 
Mullen. This occurred on Wednesday. On the 
following day in the sweepstakes ring for the 
best steer or cow in the show the same animals 
were entered and the judges were called upon 
to act. The decision of the men who had al- 
ready decided in a ring composed of identically 
the same cattle was of course a foregone conclu- 
sion, and the examination of the cattleunder the 
circumstances closely resembled a farce. The 
judges were handicapped by their own previous 
action, and were absolutely compelled to again 
award the premium to the steer McMullen. 

"When it is remembered that this animal was 
overlooked entirely in a ring where the Here- 
ford men were victorious, and did not even re- 
ceive second or third place at that time, it 
looks very much to a man up a tree as though a 
change was necessary. It is not proposed to 
criticise the men, but the idea of allowing the 
same judges to be placed in a position to pass 
upon their own previous judgment is a great 
mistake, to say the least. 

"In the interest of harmony among exhibitors 
of the different breeds of cattle, it is hoped that 
some better method of selecting judges will be 
adopted ere another year has passed. It has 



H I S 1^ K Y O F HER E F () R D C A T T L E 



241 



been o])('iily cliargcd that the Shorthorn ring, 
so called, has secured control of the show, and 
that other l)reeders arc denied certain rights and 
privileges to which they are entitled. 'The 
Tribune' does not believe that any ring exists 
who can control the management of these 
shows, but it does insist upon a better system of 
judging, to the end that exact and impartial 
justice may be the rule hereafter. 

"In this connection the following plan is sug- 
gested, by which, at least, disinterested men 
might be secured for these trying and impor- 
tant positions: the Board should select the best 
butchers from eastern cities and pay them for 
their services, and thus avoid the scandal that 
yearly crops out because judges and exhibitors 
are from the same localities. Having good 
judges, the rule should be, that no man who 
owns an animal shall be allowed to hold it while 
in the ring, or to enter the ring under any pre- 
text while the judges are at work. The adop- 
tion of some such rules as the above, or some- 
thing of that character guaranteeing a better 
state of things, must be adopted at once, or the 
greatest of American shows will become a by- 
word and reproach." 

Those who read our great daily papers know 
that they are too apt to leave the beef interests 
and agricultural necessities of our stock breed- 
ers and farmers out in the cold, by saying noth- 
ing about them and leaving them severely alone. 
But this matter of showing beef cattle, and hav- 
ing justice done to the deserving ones, was of 
such moment that "The Tribune" in January, 
1882, again came out in the following editorial : 

"During the past year much has been said 
and written upon the sui)ject of choosing judges 
to act at fairs, and the matter of these selections 
has become one which must attract still greater 
attention before another season. There has 
grown up in the minds of farmers, a pret1;y well 
grounded opinion that in nearly all exhibition 
rings there is a lack of judgment displayed, as 
well in the selection of judges as in the method 
in which their awards are given, and last year's 
experience has not had a tendency to change 
their views very materially. During the next 
three months many State Boards of Agriculture 
will hold their annual meetings, at which ar- 
rangements for this year's fairs will be per- 
fected, and it is certain that no single subject 
in connection with their work demands more 
thoughtful consideration than that of an im- 
proved method of selecting and working judges. 
There will of course be many suggestions 
offered, all having in view the employment of 
men whose integrity cannot be questioned, and 
who, from experience, are competent to pass in- 



telligent judgment and discover merit where it 
exists, without regard to who may, or may not, 
be pleased or benefited. It has been openly 
charged, particularly by cattle exhibitors, that 
no one but a Shorthorn breeder or feeder can 
hope for justice at the hands of Western fair 
associations, and breeders of other families 
claim that at these fairs the judges are invari- 
ably chosen from localities where Shorthorn 
cattle are raised almost exclusively. Protests 
against this manner of choosing awarding com- 
mittees have been repeatedly made, especially 
by Hereford breeders, not a few of whom assert 
that the whole system of selecting judges, par- 
ticularly in the Western states, is controlled by 
what they are not backward in terming the 
'Shorthorn ring.' 

"If such a combination exists, it is high time 
that measures were adopted by which its influ- 
ence and power can be broken. The struggle 
for supremacy between the different breeds of 
beef cattle has become an exciting one, and the 




^irsoiA 



HEART GIRTH OF HEREFORDS AND SHORTHORNS 
COMPARED. 

consumers are deeply interested in the outcome. 
The several associations owe it to themselves, 
and the public to whom they look for patron- 
age and support, to adopt such rules and regu- 
lations governing the award of premiums as 
will guarantee perfect fairness between con- 
testants. There should be an honest effort made 
to stop the wholesale charge of unfairness that 
has acted for years past as an injury to the ex- 
hibitions, and which has become a matter of 
adverse comment, both at home and abroad. 
Breeders of fine cattle cannot afford to have 
their interests jeopardized through the actions 
of incompetent or Inased judges, in whose hands 
they are compelled to place them. 'The Trib- 
une,' during the week of the recent Fat Stock 
Show, November, 1881, took occasion to criticise 
the method then in practice, and unhesitatingly 
stamped several of the awards as entirely wrong. 
Thoughtful and conscientious breeders in all 
parts of the country have heartily endorsed the 
opinions given at that time, and nothing is 



242 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



more certain than that a radiwil change is neces- 
sary or the usefulness of this particuhir show 
will cease. The practice of selecting local 
judges cannot be successfully defended. As- 
suming that judges chosen promiscuously from 
districts from which exhibitors may come are 
perfectly fair, yet, there remains cause of com- 
plaint. The men thus chosen, in many cases, 
being friends or acquaintances of -exhibitors, 
that fact of itself creates a feeling of distrust 
which may or may not be warranted, and leaves 
the door wide o])en for criticisms which would 
not be possible if the judges were selected from 
remote localities. This course would entail 
quite an expense, no doubt, but associations 
can better afford to close their doors without 
a profit than to countenance any system by 
which their usefulness and integrity can be im- 
peached to the slightest extent. 

"It is said that the Illinois State Board, un- 
der whose auspices the Fat Stock Show is con- 
ducted, will, at their annual meeting, which oc- 
curs this month, take measures to quiet the dis- 



sensions that have heretofore existed by adopt- 
ing some plan that will guarantee to exhibitors 
the utmost fairness, based upon the test of 
merit, and that alone. In this the Board will 
be unanimously endorsed, and other Western 
fair associations should adopt similar meas- 
ures." 

After the appearance of the above article in 
"The Tribune," at the meeting of the Illinois 
State Board, the ^jresident, Mr. Scott, called the 
attention of the Board, in his address, to the 
necessity of procuring experts to serve as com- 
mitteemen in making awards. 

It must be remembered that two-thirds of the 
Board were Shorthorn breeders, and they had 
friends outside, and that every move that was 
made in the Board was known to these out- 
siders. That President Scott was surrounded 
M'ith these men, and that they were determined 
to hold the Shorthorns in position ; and, though 
vastly outnumbered, there were men in the 
Board that were desirous of having its methods 
all that they should be. 




^ffl«;;' '»' <"• '•" ' "■ ■ ■ " .«',*-'• ■ ,. ' .'''•*'mx,.'''"«# 

DIAGRAM OF BUTCHER'S CUTS. 

Explanation.— 1, neck; 2, chuck; 3, ribs; 4 and .5, plates; C, shoulder-elod ; 7, brisket; S, shank; 9, short-loin, or porterhouse; 
10, sirloin; 11, rump; 12, round; 13, flank; 14, lower-round. 



HlSTOllY OF HEREFORD (.'ATTLE 



243 



CHAPTER XIX. 

American Hereford Record 



The Hereford cattle had become so numerous 
in America by 1879 that it became a matter of 
necessity to have a Herd Book in which to re- 
cord their pedigrees. 

The English Herd Book was commenced by 
Mr. Eyton; he published the first and second 
volumes, recording only bulls, numbered from 
1 to 901. Mr. Powell followed him with the 
first part of Volume III, up to number 1,137. 
At this point Mr. Thomas Duckham of Baysliam 
Court, Ross, took up the work, and publislied 
the Herd Book from 1,138 of bulls up to the 
close of Volume IX. Eyton and Powell in their 
work recorded only bulls. Mr. Duckham, start- 
ing at part second, in Volume III, recorded 
cows as well as bulls. 

At the close of Volume IX the breeders of 
Hereford cattle in England formed the society, 
termed the Hereford Herd Book Society, bought 
of Mr. Duckham, on March 5, 1878, the copy- 
right and continued the publication. Mr. Duck- 
ham commenced the publication of the Herd 
Book in 18.57, and was at that time a tenant 
farmer at Baysham Court, in the town of Ross, 
in Herefordshire. He was a prominent and 
skillful breeder of Hereford cattle. 

The first president of the Hereford Herd 
Book Society was J. H. Arkwright (f 128), 
Hampton Court, Herefordshire. Vice-president 
was the Earl of Coventry (|[ 129), (.!roome 
Court, Worcester. The council consisted of 
twenty-four prominent and well-known breed- 
ers. The editing committee: Sir J. Russell 
Bailev, Mr. T. Duckham, Mr. H. Haywood and 
Mr. J. Hill. The secretary, S. W. Urwick 
(11 130), Leinthal, Ludlow. " 

Mr. Thomas Duckham was prominent in 
keeping the Horefords before the public, 
through the press, and was the means of dis- 
tributing large numbers of them to Australia 
and other parts of the world. There is no 
man to whom the Hereford breeders, and 
through them the stock breeders of the world, 
are hkh-c indebted. In 1876, at our great Cen- 
tennial I'lxhibition at Philadelphia, the man- 



agers of that exhibit sent to the English Gov- 
ernment for a man competent to act as judge on 
the Hereford breed of cattle that should be 
exhibited at that show. The Duke of Rich- 
mond, then at the head of the Agricultural De- 
partment, selected Mr. Duckham for that posi- 
tion, and he visited this country, accredited 
from that government. 

( II 131) Taking the English Hereford Herd 
Book as the foundation, I, in 1879, com- 
menced the compilation of the American Here- 
ford Record. I realized that in any thor- 
oughbred race of cattle the cow was as import- 
ant in securing the purity of the breed as the 
bull, and that she should be equally well identi- 
fied in the pedigree of any animal. To secure 
this identification we could not see any better 
wav than to give each cow a number as well as 
the" bull. 

To avoid the great repetition common to other 
herd books, that was a consequence of giving 
the entire pedigree with every entry, each entry 
in our book consisted of only sire and dam, with 
their Herd Book numbers, the breeder's and 
owner's names, and date of birth. 

The Hereford "Times," England, comment- 
ing on this, says: "As everyone knows, Amer- 
icans never like following a beaten track, and 
this volume is certainly most unique in its 
arrangement, and presents a very different ap- 
pearance from anything that we have ever 
seen." 

The first volume came from our press at 
Beecher, 111., in 1880, and we thought that, 
considering the great service which had been 
done the Hereford breed of cattle by the Hon. 
Thomas Duckham, that he was entitled to the 
place of honor in the frontispiece of the first 
volume. 

There were also twenty-one illustrations of 
prominent Hereford cattle. Volume II was is- 
sued in 1882, and carried the number of entries 
up to number (5,415, the frontispiece being 
Mr. Benjamin Tomkins, the oldest known Here- 
ford breeder, that being followed by the earliest 



344 



HIST E Y F H E U E E R D C A T T L E 



advocate of Herefords in America, Jlr. William 
H. Sotham, and following iu this lionorable 
company, our own portrait. 

As was natural and right, after the forma- 
tion of the American Hereford Cattle Breeders' 
Association, the arduous work of publishing the 
Herd Book was assumed by them, they pur- 
chasing from us the copyright and volumes on 
hand. To say that the work and expense of 
establishing the American Hereford Record was 
very large is stating the ease entirely within 
the bounds of truth. 

There was a change in the form of the 
American Hereford Record, beginning with 
Volume VIII, arbitrarily undertaken, as we be- 
lieve, by the Executive Committee, without 
jiroper thought and reference to the combined 
wisdom of the Association, and we have watched 
with interest the spirited and intelligent eiforts 
of Mr. T. F. B. Sotham to have the form we 
instituted returned into use. 

We therefore derive much satisfaction from 
the information recently conveyed to us in a 
letter (1889) from Mr. Sotham, as follows: 
"You will doubtless be pleased to know that my 
repeated attacks on the error of the Executive 
Committee in changing your form of record to 
the 'old fashioned,' 'out of date' style of other 
books, and common to other breeds, is about 
to bear fruit. Though laughed at for my pains, 
and called a 'pedigree crank' because I insisted 
that the tabulated pedigree is the only simple 
form, easy of comprehension, I have had victory 
enough in seeing even the 'pooh-poohing' mem- 
bers of the Executive Committee adopt this 
form; forced to do so because of the custom 
everywhere prevailing among Hereford breed- 
ers. Your victory is coming, too, for, much 
against his will, the leading Executive Commit- 



teeman has just told me that owing to the in- 
creasing number of Herefords he is obliged to 
go back to the original form established by you, 
and forms have been ordered for preparing the 
copy for Volume XXI after your original and 
unique style." Mr. Sotham adds : "It is de- 
cidedly unpleasant to set up an opinion in oppo- 
sition to this willful and too powerful Execu- 
tive Committee, but I have the true interests 
of the Hereford cattle at heart, and being sure, 
first, of being right, I have gone ahead in my 
dear old father's belief that 'the right must in 
the end jirevail.' " 

We would only add that when we established 
the American Hereford Record we were as sure 
as we are now that the Hereford will ultimately 
be the world's prevailing cattle, and in found- 
ing the American Herd Book we wanted that 
foundation simple and solid. We foresaw the 
increase of the breed and had we remained in 
charge of the Record we should have begun with 
Volume III to put more entries on a page. 
The only reason we had for limiting the entries 
(9) on a page in the Volumes I and II, got out 
by us, was, that with our unique form of entry, 
more would limit the pages and make too thin a 
volume. 

We trust that young Mr. Sotham's prediction 
of a return with Volume XXI to the original 
form may be verified. We believe such a return 
inevitable; and further, we believe that the day 
will come when the unwarranted change of form 
will be generally condemned and a reprint de- 
manded that will practically eliminate Vol- 
umes VIII to XX, inclusive, from the' libraries 
of Hereford breeders and prove the indefensible 
work of the committee on these volumes a waste 
of the Association's money. 




A BREEDERS' JOURNAL CARTOON OF 1S83. 
(Mr. MiHer informs President Scott of the fraudulent 



UlSTUKY OF IIEIJE FOKD CATTLE 



245 



CHAPTER XX. 

American IIkukfoud Cattle Breeders' Association 



In pursuance to a general desire for united 
action of the Hereford Cattle Breeders of the 
United States, a call was made for a meeting. 
This was fixed for the 2'id of June, 1881. Upon 
that day there was a meeting of the Hereford 
breeders at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago, 
and Jlr. C. M. Culbcrtson (f 13"^) was nomi- 
nated by Mr. T. L. Miller, Beeeher, 111., for 
temporary chairman, when, upon taking his 
seat, Mr.'T. E. Miller (11133) was chosen sec- 
retary. The Chairman then appointed a Busi- 
ness Committee of the following gentlemen : 
Adams Earl (jj 13-t), Lafayette, Ind.; J. M. 
Studebakcr (|[ 135), South Bend, Ind.; George 
F. Morgan (^ 13(5), Carmago, 111.; Thomas 
Clark (II 137), Beeeher, 111.'; E. W. Sample, 
Lafayette, Ind.; B. Hershey (jf 138), Musca- 
tine, la. ; X. Abbe, Elyria, Ohio, for the pur- 
pose of putting the business of the Association 
in shape and bringing it before them. 

They presented the following plan of organi- 
zation : 

This Society shall be known as the American 
Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association. 

The oliicers shall be a President and nine 
Vice-presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, and an 
auditing committee of three, and nine di- 
rectors. 

The term of olfice of President, Vice-jiresi- 
dent, Secretary, Treasurer and Auditing Com- 
mittee shall be for one year, or until their suc- 
cessors are elected and qualified. The Directors 
shall be elected for one, two and three years, 
respectively, three for each year. 

Any breeder of Hei'eford cattle in good 
standing can become a member by handing his 
name to the Secretary, and paying the sum of 
$2() for individual or firm. 

The officers shall be chosen every year, by a 
majority vote of the members present, or by 
proxy, at a meeting called by the President for 
thai purpose. The President shall have the 
]iower (o call a meeting of all niemix'rs, or of 
the .\uditing Committee, at any time that he 
thinks pr<)])er. 



Two of the Auditing Committee shall form 
a quorum to do business. 

The duty of the Secretary shall be to keep an 
account of all the doings of the Society. The 
Treasurer shall keep all funds paid into the 
Society, and pay the same out on the order of 
the Auditing Committee. 

In case the American Hereford Record is 
approved and endorsed by the Society it shall 
be the duty of the Auditing Committee to have 
the "American Hereford Kecord" thoroughly 
examined by a competent person or persons, 
and if any serious or imiMrtant error is found, 
to take note of the same, so that it may be cor- 
rected by insertion in the second vohmie, soon 
to come out. All records and other matter that 
go into the second volume of the "American 
Hereford Eecord"" must first be examined and 
approved of by the Auditing Committee. 

The object of the Society is to promote 
and improve the beef cattle of the country, by 
the introduction of the Hereford strain of cat- 
tle, more generally throughout the beef-pro- 
ducing region, claiming, as we think. Justly, 
that where the Herefords have been fairly tried 
they have proved themselves far superior and 
more profitable as beef cattle than any other 
breed known. We claim them as being better 
graziers, winter better on rough feed, mature 
earlier and bring better prices than any other 
known breed of cattle, and in proof of this we 
ask all who have given them a fair trial with 
any other strain of cattle to come and testify. 

The Committee presented an address to the 
Society. Some points made in it were as follows: 
"We want it distinctly understood that we pro- 
test now and shall at all fairs protest, as is our 
right, against any man Judging as to merit 
between different breeds of cattle who 'is in- 
terested in the breeding of any of the breeds 
competing, either directly or indirectly. We 
think it would be unfair, as if C. H. McCor- 
niick was to be made Judge of the Iiest make of 
mowing machines, or Mr. Studebaker as a Judge 
of the best wagon or carriage at a fair. We 



246 



HISTORY OF HEEEFOED CATTLE 



approve of fat stock shows. It is the great edu- 
cator, for on the block all beef has finally to be 
tested. We heard old butchers say at the last 
fall show that they had been butchers for 
twenty to thirty years, but had learned more 
in two days at the fat stock show than they 
had in the past thirty years. Of course they 
must have been Bourbons all that time. We 
do not want such for judges ; we want butchers 
that try to learn something every day. Our 
ambition should be, not how or by what tricks 
we can obtain premiums, but rather how to 
merit them, then if beaten unfairly, it is some- 
times worth more than a victory, where the 
spectators see that palpable injustice has been 
done. 

"Having examined the American Hereford 
Eeeord, we have no hesitation in saying that we 
approve it for its simplicity and brevity, and 
so far as we have examined it, find it correct 
and reliable, and in connection with this, we 
must say that T. L. Miller deserves much praise 
from the Hereford breeders for not only get- 
ting up the Eeeord, but also for the long and 
steady fights he has made, almost alone, in 
championing the Hereford cause, until he 
brought them to the front to stay ; for, once to 
the front, they will take care of themselves." 

The following officers were elected : President, 
C. M. Culbertson, Chicago, 111. ; Secretary, T. 
E. Miller, Beecher, 111. ; Treasurer, Adams Earl, 




A BREEI1?;HS' JOURNAL CARTOON OF 1S83. 
(President Scott stands on the rule.) 

Lafayette, Ind. ; Vice-presidents, A. H. Swan, 
Cheyenne, Wyo. ; W. H. Todd ('f 139), Ver- 
million, Ohio; William Hamilton, Flint, Mich.; 
E. W. Sample, Lafayette, Ind. ; G. S. Biirleigh 
(H 1-10), Mechanicsville, Iowa; J. M. Stude- 
baker. South Bend, Ind. ; William H. Sotham, 
Chicago, 111.; A. H. Seabury, New Bedford, 
Mass. ; A. D. Eaub, Earl Park, Ind. ; N. Abbe, 
Elyria, Ohio; Mr. Lee of Lee & Eeyuolds, 
Camp Supply. Indian Territory. 



Auditing Committee: William Powell, 
Beecher, 111.; Thomas Clark, Beecher, 111.; T. 
L. Miller, Beecher, 111. 

One-Year Directors: H. Norris, Aurora, 
III; E. E. Price, Chicago, 111.; C. Gudgell, 
Pleasant Hill, Mo. 

Two- Year Directors: Joseph Frank, Chi- 
cago, 111. ; George F. Morgan, Camargo, 111. ; 
W. S. VanNatta (^ 111), Fowler, Ind. 

Three-\'ear Directors : Thomas Clark, 
Beecher, 111. ; W. E. Campbell, Caldwell, Kas. ; 
T. L. Miller, Beecher, 111. 

Mr. Earl, Chairman of the Business Com- 
mittee, recommended the adoption of the 
American Hereford Herd Book, as gotten up in 
good shape, and giving correct pedigree of 
Hereford cattle in all its arrangements. It was 
adopted by a unanimous vote. 

Mr. Miller handed the President a copy of 
the American Hereford Eeeord to be presented 
to Mr. W. H. Sotham, the old champion and 
original Hereford advocate. (^ 112) It was 
presented him in the name of the Association. 

a 1^3) 

It was moved and adopted that the Associa- 
tion meet annually for general purposes of busi- 
ness connected with this Association during the 
week of the Fat Stock Show at Chicago, 111. 

The second meeting of the Association 
(H 115) was held during the Chicago Fat Stock 
Show, Friday, November 11, 1881. The same 
officers were re-elected and general work 
planned. The meeting was very successful, 
and the enthusiasm that it produced among 
the breeders of Herefords contributed largely 
to the success and larger show of Hereford 
steers that were made the following year. 

The third meeting of this Association was 
held on November 17, 1883, in the club room 
of the Sherman House, Chicago, 111. The meet- 
ing was called to order by the President, C. M. 
Culbertson, of Chicago. In his opening ad- 
dress the President stated that, as the most of 
the Hereford breeders had not arrived in Chi- 
cago, this meeting would be merely a prelim- 
inary one for the purpose of talking over busi- 
ness matters that would be brought \ip before 
the regular annual meeting, to be held Novem- 
ber 21st. ■ 

The matter of the American Hereford Cattle 
Breeders' Association purchasing, as a society, 
from Mr. T. L. Miller, of Beecher, 111., tlie 
American Hereford Eeeord, was introduced. 
'I'he President appointed a committee of three 
gentlemen, consisting of Mr. W. S. VanNatta, 
Mr. E. W. Sample and Mr. J. M. Studebaker, 
to wait on T. L. Miller and ascertain from him 



HISTORY OF IIEIJEFOKD CATTLE 



247 



at what price and on what terms the Herd 
Book, witli its copyright, good will and volumes, 
could be purchased, and to also present a finan- 
cial plan by which the money necessary could 
be raised. 

It was moved and carried that T. E. Miller 
be appointed a committee of one to submit to 
the next meeting of the Association rules to 
govern the admission of cattle to the third vol- 
ume of the Herd Hook. Mr. J. M. Studebaker 
gave notice that he would present to the next 
meeting a i)lan for a testimonial to Mr. William 
Henry Sothara for his long and efficient service 
in the Hereford cause. 

The meeting then adjourned to Tuesday 
evening, November 21st, to be held in the same 
place. 

The regular annual meeting of the American 
Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association 
was held November 21st, at the Sher- 
man House, Chicago, 111. The meeting 
was called to order by the President, C. 
il. ('ull)ertson. 

The Secretary read the minutes of 
the preceding meeting. The first busi- 
ness transacted was the election of offi- 
cers for the ensuing year, which result- 
ed in the election of Mr. C. M. Culbert- 
son, of Chicago, President; C. K. Par- 
melee, of ^^'olcott, Ind., Vice-president; 
C. B. Stuart (1| 14(i), Lafayette, Ind., 
Treasurer. The three Directors whose 
time had expired were re-elected for 
three vears, viz. : H. Norris, of Aurora, 
TIL; E. R. Rice, of Chicago. 111.; C. 
Gudgell, of Pleasant Hill, Mo. 

The report of the Committee on pur- 
chasing the Herd Book was then called 
for, which was submitted as follows : 
Chicago, 111., Nov. 21, 1882. 

Mr. President: We, the committee 
a])])ointcd by your honorable body to confer 
with ilr. T. L. ]\Iillcr regarding the purchase 
of the American Hereford Record, pvdilished 
and owned by him, submit the following report: 

The price asked by Mr. Miller is six thousand 
dollars, which constitutes the good will of said 
Record, including about three hundred of the 
first volumes, and five hundred and twenty of 
the second, which are nearly ready for distri- 
bution, Mr. Miller valuing same at three dollars 
each. His desire is that the book shall be con- 
trolled by the Society and not by any one indi- 
vidual or In- a stock company, the latter of 
which we, as a committee, heartily endorse. We 
furtluT state that ^fr. ^[iller represented to us 
that this book has cost him twelve thousand 
dollars over and above receipts. In conclusion 



we simply wish to say that we place this mat- 
ter in the hands of this Society for their care- 
ful consideration and final action, advising that 
it take a liberal view of this matter, and pay 
Mr. Miller what the unanimous voice of this 
Society shall deem a fair and impartial com- 
pensation for his untiring efforts in the Here- 
ford cause. 

Eespectfully submitted by the committee. 
J. M. Studebaker, 
R. W. Sample, 
W. S. YanNatta. 

After considerable discussion, it was moved 
by Mr. Adams Earl, of Lafayette, Ind., that the 
report be placed on file as received, but that the 
committee be not discharged, and that the Chair 
add four gentlemen to the committee, and that 




TYPICAL FEMALE HEAD, GRACE 58553. 
(From a photograph.) 



they confer further with Mr. T. L. ^liller at 
once and report to this meeting. The President 
named Mr. Adams Earl, Mr. C. Gudgell, Mr. 
W. Hamilton, Mr. E. Phelps (^ 147) as the 
new members of this committee. Mr. H. C. 
Burleigh (|I 148) was subsequently added. 
The committee then retired with Mr. T. L. 
^filler, and after considerable delay returned 
and made the following report : 

Mr. President: We, the committee ap- 
pointed to report on the subject of purchasing 
tlie Herd Book of Mr. T. L. :\Iillcr, have the 
following report to make: 

Mr. Miller has made the following proposi- 
tions to the Association : 

First. Proposes to sell the Herd Book and 
800 volumes for $0,000. payable in one year. 



2A8 



IIIS'I'OK'Y OK 11 K 1{ K F()l{ 1) CAT'J'M-: 




and to tiiko till' oi)li<i;iiti<)ii nf the Socioty in 
paynii'nt, with individuiils" niinu's as security. 
Second. Agrees to eontinue tiie publication 
of the Herd Hook, the Society shall make the 
rules for entry, and 
the entry fees to re- 
main as at present, 
*1 for entry and 2") 
rents for each trac- 
ing. 

Third. Will sell 
it to the Society at 
any time when the 
Society sees fit to 
inireliase it at a fair 
|irii-e. 

Your committee 
would reconimend 
to the Association 
the acceptance of 
the second ])roi)Osi- 
tion, and that an 
auditing committee he appointed, to consist of 
three, who shall draft a sej: of rules governing 
the fut>tire entries to the Herd Book and who 
shall supply Mr. Jliller with a copy of the rules. 

W. S. V.vn'Xatta, 

Chairman. 

II. S.VMPLE, 

J. M. Studebaker, 
Adams Earl, 
W. Hamilton, 

K. I'll ELI'S, 

H. C. Burleigh, 
C. Uudgell. 

The report was accepted and committee dis- 
cliarged. it being resolved to leave the Herd 
Hook in the hands of its publisher and proprie- 
tor, and tliat a committet' consisting of C. B. 
Stuart, (!. S. Hurleigh and W. S. VanXatta 
be made a permanent auditing committee to 
[tass on pedigrees as to their eligibility for ad- 
mission to the Herd Book, and also to report a 
set of rules as soon as ]>ossible to this Associa- 
tion which shall, upon approval by this Society, 
govern the admission of cattle to the American 
Hereford Kecord. 

U was suggested by the President that the 
Hereford cattle breeders get together a number 
of show herds of Hereford cattle in the year 
1S83, to the number of, say, 100 head, and 
make a circuit of the fairs. An expression of 
opinion was calleil for on tlic sniiject. 

Mr. .lose|)h Franks, of Cheyenne, Wye, said : 
The Western ranchmen were all very favorably 
inclined towards the Hereford cattle: that they 
would be pleased to see such an exhibit: that 



Jiis linn had individually bought over GOO 
J I ere ford bulls. 

Mr. W. K. C'aini)bell. of raldwell, Kansas, 
said the cross of a Hereford bull on a Texas 
cow gave the best satisfaction. J"]very one now 
on the range wants to get Hereford bulls. The 
risk of Texas fever was more with him than 
it was further North. He used, beside his 
Hererord ijuUs, two hundreil Shorthorn bulls 
in his herd, of which he had had a good many 
die from consumption and lack of constitution, 
while among his Hereford bulls he had only 
lost two, one from Texas fever and one from 
an accident. He takes all his bulls up in the 
winter and feeds them, and tinds he can feed 
two Herefords on the same fi'cd it takes to 
kcej) up one Shorthorn. He woubl be pleased 
to see a large exhibit of Hereford cattle next 
year, and thought it would do much good. 

Major W. A. Towers, of Panhandle, Texas, 
thought Herefords were as liable to take Texas 
fever as other cattle. He has been very much 
l)K'a.<ed with his Herefords, has taken sixty 
head to his ranch direct from England. His 
grade Herefords go through the winter much 
better than any of his other cattle. Is using 
about an equal number of Hereford and Short- 
horn bulls. Thinks it would be a good i<lea to 
take a large show of Hereford cattle through 
the fairs of Kansas and as far west as Denver. 
Colo. 

The President then introduced the subject of 
grade Hereford steers to show at the Fat Stock 
Show. There has been such a demand for 
grade Hereford bulls to go west and south 
that they have sold at from $(iO to $75, and it 
has made the steers so scarce that scarcely any 
can be got, and projjosed that the breeders pres- 
ent pledge a certain numl)er of calves to he 
altered for the ptirpose of getting a supjily of 
Hereford steers. The following responses were 
made to this appeal: 

T. C. Pouting (If 14!)), 100; C. M. Culbert- 
son, 30; J. P. Holmes, 10; Earl & Stuart, 10 
grades and 2 thoroughbreds; Thonuis Clark. 1 ; 
Hiram Norris & Sons, 12: William Powell. 2: 
Eyon Bros.. 2; (i. S. Burleigh, .{ : Charles K. 
Parinelee. 20; Rurnhain & Sons. .5: J. H. Price. 
;?(): A. A. Crane & Son (T| 1.50-],-,l ), 12: Bur- 
leigh & Bodwell, 1 grade and 4 thoroughbreds: 
Dr. 0. Bush (U ir)2), (i; Thonuis Foster (Ij l.iS). 
20: Wallace Libbev (U 154) 10; A. H. Hood, 3 ; 
A. II. Bullis (1 l.-).'-.), 4: A. D. Haub, 8; C. 
Cudgcll, 2 thoroughbreds; W. Hamilton, 5; E. 
lMicl|)s. ."i : Fowler i'(- VanXatta, .'> grades and 
2 Iborougbbreils; Seabury & Samjile, Ify; mak- 
ing a total of 31!) grades and 10 thoroughbreds. 
Besides these, the Western men jnit down for 



HIST R Y OF H E K E F O K D C A T T L E 



249 



Swan Bros. & Frank, 600 ; \V. E. Campbell, 10 ; 
Scott & Hank, 20 ; total, 630. 

The testimonial to Mr. William Henry Soth- 
am was then introduced, and the following 
amounts, making a total of $53.5, were pre- 
sented to him: T. L. Miller Company. $100; 
C. M. Ciilbertson, $100; J. M. Studebaker, 
$100; T. ('. renting, $25; William Powell, $5; 
Edwin Phelps, $25; William Hamilton, $50; 
Thomas Foster, $50 ; A. H. Hood, $5 ; W. S. 
VanNatta, $10; Earl & Stuart, $20; 0. Bush, 
$5 ; A. D. Raub, $5 ; G. S. Burleigh, $5 ; John 
Gosling, $5; (jj 156) Thomas Clark, $10; 
Price & Jenks, $5 ; Charles Gudgell, $10. 

The sidjject of the members of this Associa- 
tion making up a purse of $2,000 to be offered 
in premiums for Hereford cattle to be exhibited 
at the next Fat Stock Show was introduced by 
T. L. Miller. H was clearly shown how such 
an amount as this offered in prizes to Hereford 
breeders, in addition to the amounts offered by 
the management of the show, would bring out 
and encourage the feeding of a very large num- 
l)er of Hereford steers. The result of this ap- 
peal was the circulation of a subscription pa- 
per, of which the following is a copy : 

We agree to pay the following sums, pro- 
vided two thousand dollars is raised, towards 
prizes to be given for Hereford cattle at the 
Fat Stock Show in 1883, the classification to 
be made by a committee to consist of C. B. 
Stuart, T. E. Miller and C. K. Parmelee, and 
such classification to be published as early as 
possible. 

There was about $1,500 subscribed to the 
fund, and the committee was instructed to use 
every endeavor to make the sum up to the re- 
quired amount. The meeting then adjourned 
to Wednesday, Xovember 22, at the same place. 

The meeting of November 22d was called to 
order by the President. C. M. Culbertson. The 
report of the former Treasurer, Mr. Adams 
Earl, was called for, who reported $260 on 
hand. Mr. C. B. Stuart, who was elected Treas- 
urer at the meeting on the 21st, resigned his 
office for the purpose of having the Secretary 
also hold the office of Treasurer. T. E. Miller, 
of Beecher, 111., was elected Secretary and Treas- 
urer for the ensuing year. 

The resolution was adopted that all cattle for 
entry in the Herd Book, which clearly came in- 
side the rules made for admission of cattle, 
should be printed by its editor without submis- 
sion to the Auditing Committee. 

It was moved and carried that the Auditing 
Committee be authorized to draw the necessary 
money from the treasury to pay C. M. Culbert- 



son, Jr., for his services in examining the 
American Hereford Record. 

The President suggested that the prizes at 
the various agricultural shows should be given 
to young cattle, and thus discourage the keep- 
ing in the show herds of older cows and large 
cattle. After considerable discussion and 
amendments the following resolution was 
adopted : 

Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting 
that the agricultural societies throughout the 
country should make their highest herd prize 
for young cattle under two years and over one- 
year old; their second prize to a herd under 
three years and over two years old. 

Owing to a misunderstanding in some of the 
Chicago papers, as to the testimonial given to 
Mr. Sotham, the following was adopted as the 
sense of the Association : "The fund that was 
presented to Mr. William Henry Sotham was 
for the purpose of rewarding him for his ser- 
vices for forty years in pushing the cause of 
Hereford cattle, and is in no sense a charity, 
but is for the purpose of showing the high 
sense of appreciation of this Society for the 
services rendered by ]\Ir. Sotham in introducing 
Hereford cattle." 

The attention of the Society was called to 
the ages of the Shorthorn steers being shown at 
the present Fat Stock Show, in which it was 
stated that Mr. D. 

M. Moninger, of , •'"" " ~ 

Galvin, Iowa, en- 
tered the steer 
called "Champion 
of Iowa" as 715 
days old, or 1 
year 1 1 months 
and 21 days old. 
He shows six teeth ^ 
of full size, and > 
by the mouth is 
over three years 
old. The horns 
of this steer have 
been filed and 
dressed to give 
him the appear- 
ance of being 
younger than his 
mouth would make him. There are several 
other steers entered by Mr. Moninger as two- 
year-olds whose mouths would indicate a greater 
age than that for which they were entered. 

After some discussion it was moved that the 
President, Mr. C. M. Culbertson, be requested 
to see Mr. J. P. Reynolds and take what steps 
were necessary when the matter of the ages of 



•mm 




250 



HIST R Y OF 11 E R E F R D CATTLE 




Shortliorn steers came up before the State 
Board. 

A vote of thanks was tendered Mr. J. Irving 
Pearcfi, proprietor of the Sherman House, for 
the iise of the rooms occupied by this Society. 
The Society then adjourned subject to the 
call of the President and Executive Committee. 
(Signed). T. E. Miller, 
Secretary. 
Pursuant to a call from the Execiitive Com- 
mittee, there was a meeting of this Association 
at 10 o'clock A. M. 
on February 28, 
1883, at the Sher- 
man House, Chi- 
cago. The busi- 
ness to be brought 
before the meet- 
ing, as stated in 
the call, was as 
follows : 

First. To con- 
sider and act up- 
on rules to govern 
future entries in 
the "Amerienu 
Hereford Pecord." 
Second. To 
consider proposi- 
tions, looking to- 
ward the Asso- 
ciation owning the 
"American Hereford Record." 

Third. The organization of a life member- 
ship society of American Hereford breeders. 

Mr. B. Hershey and Mr. Adams Earl were 
appointed by the Chair to confer with T. L. 
Miller for the purchase of the "American Here- 
iford Record" and report to the Association. 
'' After some discussion as to the method of 
making entries in the American Hereford Rec- 
ord and the undesirable form in which the 
English Herd Book was published, an extract 
was read from a letter from Mr. John Hill, of 
Felhampton Court, England, one of the editing 
committee of the English Hereford Herd Book. 
The Hon. Thomas Duckham is also one of the 
editing committee. The extract is as follows: 
'T should like to have your opinion on the 
resolution I proposed at the last meeting of 
the English Hereford Herd Book Society, which 
was, that every cow should have four crosses, 
and every bull four crosses (which is now the 
rule). Mr. Duckham seconded me, but we were 
beaten, of course, being strongly opposed by 
men who have short pedigree animals and who 
are making up herds from doubtful beginnings. 
I go even further than this, and I think it 



WM. VSfARFIELD, 
Lexington, Ky. 



would, in a year or two (due notice being 
given), do better to have no animal entered un- 
less it can trace to a cow already entered in the 
Herd Book. This would keep the breed pure, 
and prevent any alien from getting in. If you 
and other breeders in America approve of my 
scheme, it would, of course, strengthen my 
hands much to have their opinions in writing." 

Upon hearing the letter read, the following 
resolutions were introduced and carried unani- 
mously : 

Resolved, That we, as Hereford cattle breed- 
ers of America, recognizing the great impor- 
tance of keeping the breed in its purest state, 
most heartily endorse all that Mr. Hill and Mr. 
Duckham suggest in the above communication, 
and that we hope that the English Society may 
take some such action looking to some such end. 

Resolved, That these resolvitions be made a 
part of our records, and a copy of the same be 
sent to Messrs. Hill and Duckham. 

The committee appointed to report of the 
purchase of the Herd Book submitted the fol- 
lowing report from the owner : 

Chicago, February 28, 1883. 
I jiropose to sell the American Hereford Rec- 
ord to the American Hereford Cattle Breeders' 
Association, if they desire to purchase the -same, 
for the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000), 
to be paid for within one year of this date, with 
6 per cent, interest. In making this proposition 
it is distinctly understood it shall be and re- 
main in the American Hereford Cattle Breed- 
ers' Association. (Signed) T. L. Miller. 

The proposition was accepted by the Associa- 
tion and the money was raised by assessing each 
memb(-r of the Association $2.17 for each thor- 
oughbred Hereford owned by them on July 1, 
1883. 

The Chair appointed the following members 
for incorporating the American Hereford Cat- 
tle Breeders' Association : W. S VanNatta, C. B. 
Stuart, C. M. Culbertson, G. S. Burleigh and 
T. L. Miller. Mr. J. B. Sollitt then introduced 
the following resolution, which was seconded 
and carried unanimously: Resolved, That the 
thanks of this Association are due and are 
hereby tendered to T. L. Miller for the able and 
effective manner in which he has got up and 
published the American Hereford Record ; also 
for hi? able and vigorous defense of the Here- 
ford interest through the last eleven years. 

The rules governing entries to the American 
Hereford Record were then brought up by the 
committee, and adopted. Mr. C. B. Stuart 
moved that Mr. Miller be appointed a commit- 
tee of one, as he is contemplating a trip to 



Ti r s T o i; Y F IT R i; !•; i-' o i; d c a t 'i' l e 



■I'A 



England, to ponfcr witli the Eiifflish llercforfl 
Herd Book Association, and act in conj unction 
with them, taking suth steps as may be neces- 
sary to ])laee their pedigrees on such a footing 
as will (pialil'ytheni for entry in the American 
Hereford Record. The jirice of entries in the 
Herd Book to persons not members of this Asso- 
ciation was fixed at $2, and the price of the 
Herd Book at $5. 

The Executive Committee was authorized to 
employ the Secretary of this Association to ttike 
care of the property of this Association and do 
the work of this Herd Book and pay him for the 
■work done. 

A resolution of thanks was then introduced 
as follows: Resolved, That the thanks of this 
Association be tendered to Mr. T. L. Miller for 
the Hereford beef furnished for the dinner this 
day ; and also to Mr. J. Irving Pearce for the 
use of the club room. 

Adjourned to meet again during the Chicago 
Fat Stock Show in November next. 

(Signed) T. E. JIiller, Secretari/. 

In ])ursuance of the authority given us by 
tlie American Hereford Cattle Breeders' Asso- 
ciation, to confer with the English Hereford 
Herd Book Society, in regard to the rules that 
.should govern the admission of cattle to the 
Herd Book, we attended the Herefordshire Ag- 
ricultural Show that was held at Abergavenny, 
England, in June, 1883. During this show the 
Hereford Herd Book Society held its annual 
meeting. It was held in the committee room 
on the show grounds. Mr. J. H. Arkwright 
presided. After the report of the Secretary, 
Mr. S. W. Urwick, other business was trans- 
acted and the Society had its attention called 
to the rules governing the admission of cattle 
to the Herd Book. 

Mr. Miller (America) said he had been re- 
quested by the American Hereford Cattle 
Breeders' Association to seek an interview with 
the Council of the Hereford Herd Book So- 
ciety, to see if some arrangement could be made 
so that the jiedigree entries of cattle in the 
Herd Books published by both societies might 
be made to correspond. He would l)e very glad 
to meet the members of the Council to consider 
the question. 

ilr. Chairman: "Have we your book?" 

Mr. Miller: "Yes, I sent a copy to each 
member of your editing committee, I believe. 



There were two volumes." The Chairman said 
he "had not received a copy." He "should 
think that the proposed conference would be 
very desirable." 

Mr. Miller said lie "did not know exactly 
what the rules of the Society were, but in the 
Association to which he belonged four crosses 
for dams and five for bulls were laid down, 
while in England it was only three crosses for 
dams and four for bulls. He wished to confer 
■with the Council to see if a uniform arrange- 
ment could not be made. The members of the 
Association desired to know, not only that an 
animal was thoroughbred, but how, and why it 
was thoroughbred. He would like to obtain the 
views of the Hereford Council upon these mat- 
ters, so that he could report to the Association." 

The Chairman said that "when the Society 
began, a mistaken interpretation was put upon 
one of the rules. When the mistake was found 
out, they went back to the strict interpretation 
of the rule, so that 
the Society had not 
reduced the stand- 
ard." 

Mr. Miller 
thought that "it 
would be eminent- 
ly advisable for 
the two societies 
to be in accord m 
this matter." 

The Chairman : 
"We tried it once, 
but we -were beat- 
en. However, I 
will propose that 

we have a special thomas s.mith, 

meeting." Mr. Crete, lu. 

Robinson proposed that it should be a general 
meeting of the members. The Chairman : "I 
think the Council should consider it fir.st and 
then it should be referred to a general meeting 
of the members." IMr. A. Rogers seconded the 
resolution, and it was carried. 

The Society had their annual dinner, after 
getting through with their business, iinder a 
monster tent. The dinner •was very largely at- 
'tended. After this they proceeded with the 
toasts and speeches, which, as usual on such oc- 
casions, were large in number and long in dura- 
tion. 




252 



HlSTUiiY UF 11EKEF()|;1> ( ' z\ T T L E 



CHAPTER XXI. 

Cattle Frauds — Comparative Treatment in England and America 



(|[ 157) Taking the general proposition 
that the Shorthorns won the sweepstakes in 
both 1879 and 1880, it would carry much weight 
for the breed if none of the facts in -connection 
with it were known, but when the age and 
breeding of the winning animal is made a mat- 
ter of record it will modify very much the 
credit to be given for this award. 

The sweepstakes steer at Chicago Fat Stock 
Sliow for 1879 was shown as a three-year-old 
thoroughbred Shorthorn and called "Nichols." 
It appeared later from a statement from Mr. 
J. W. Preseott, of North Middletown, Ky., in 
the "National Live Stock Journal," that he was 
the get of a bull without pedigree, or known 
descent, costing $40 at eighteen months old and 
out of a grade cow. The steer was sold October 
3, '78, weighing 1,464 poimds, and said to be. 
at that time, three years old. He was shown 
in November, '79, as being dropped March 15, 
'76, in the three-year-old class, weighing 3,060 
pounds, as a thoroughbred Shorthorn. 

This steer won in three-year-old class of 
thoroughbred Shorthorns, in the sweejjstakes 
ring for three-year-olds, the best of any breed, 
and for the best beast in the show of any age or 
breed, and the "National Live Stock Journal" 
cup. 

In three-year-old classes he was not entitled 
to show, and the question would turn u])on his 
merit, considering his age, as to whether he was 
entitled to the awards as the best beast in the 
show. As a three-year-old, he would be entitled 
to the first place considering his maturity and 
ripeness, but being a four-year-old he was not 
entitled to the first place in either class. 

This Kentucky steer Nichols, shown at the 
Fat Stock Show in 1879 as a thoroughbred 
Shorthorn, three-year-old, taking the first prize 
in his class, taking the sweepstakes prize for the 
best three-year-old of any breed, and taking the 
champion prize as the best beast in the show, 
was shown in 1880 as a grade Shorthorn, four 
years old (11158). 

So far as we are informed, these awards stand 
without a challenge or question by the Illinois 
State Board of Agriculture with the following 
testimony on record : 

J. W.' Preseott sold this steer to Jlr. Daniel 



Nichols, October 3, 1878, weight, 1,464 lbs., 
and as about two years and a half old. The 
steer was bred by Mrs. Mary E. Grimes, now 
Mrs. Preseott. When Mr. Preseott told his wife 
what age he had given, she then told him that 
the steer was a three-year-old. (If 159) 

On the show ground in 1880, Doctor Paaren 
examined his mouth, with other parties, and 
pronounced the steer, from such examination, 
to be nearer six years old than five years old. 
When he was exhibited as a three-year-old 
thoroughbred he was called by the exhibitor a 
"Young Mary," but when pressed to show his 
pedigree, the breeders' certificate simply stated 
that he was a thoroughbred, got by a Shorthorn 
bull out of a "Seventeen cow." This breeder's 
certificate was probably (fl 160) from Mr. 
Nichols, who never bred him at all, and the 
statement that he was a "Young Mary" steer 
was made by Mr. Graves, the exhibitor of the 
steer in 1879. 

This is substantially the record of the steer 
as revealed by apjiarently reliable testimony. 
On this record the steer had no right on the 
show ground in 1879 or 1880, as we will en- 
deavor to show. 

His first winning in 1879 was as a three- 
year-old thoroughbred; he was a four-year-old 
and a grade. 

His second winning was in the sweepstakes, 
he being four years old, his competitor three 
years old. He had no right in this class. 

His third winning was in the grand sweep- 
stakes for best animal in the show. In this 
class any age or breed had a right to show. Had 
this steer been a three-year-old of his weight 
and finish the award might have been properly 
made, but being a four-year-old, weighing 2,060 
pounds, the probabilities are that if shown at 
his proper age he would not have won. But 
having shown under a misrepresentation, as to 
breeding and age. he had no right to his win- 
nings of 1879. This being true, the first pre- 
mium given to him as the best three-year-old 
thoroiighbred Shorthorn should have been taken 
from him and given to John B. Sherman for 
"Eddie Morris." or to F. W. Hunt, for "Thad 
Stevens," and the grand .sweepstakes should 
have been taken from him and placed on some 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



253 



(illicr stciT, ir tliL' ISoiird could (Ictcniiinc. It 
should have huuii given to one of tiic first ]ire- 
iiiiuiii auiiiials in the classes; if this eould not 
have been determined, it should have been held 
for some special meritorious animal. 

The above is a fair statement in reference to 
this steer for his record in 1879. On this rec- 
ord we would claim that ho should have had no 
standing in fhe exhibition of 1880, and it was 
. on this record that C. M. Cujbertson and T. L. 
Miller made their protest against his being 
shown at the show in 1880. 

In reference to the entry and the action of 
the Hoard in admitting him to compete for the 
champion ])rize in 1880, the Board placed 
themselves in a position where their action 
was a proper subject for criticism. 

The steer was entered in 1880 as a four-year- 
old, while Mrs. I'rescott. who bred the steer, 
says he was a five-year-old, and Dr. Paaren, 
supported by others (|| 161), says he was nearer 
si.x years old. The testimony of J. W. Prescott, 
until it shall be disproved, was sufficient war- 
ranty for rejecting the animal from entering 
for the champion prize in 1880. Especially is 
tb.is true when Dr. Paaren was selected by the 
Board to determine the ages of the animals on 
exhibition. 

It is clear that an animal may be, for a two- 
year-old, in his weight, character and quality, 
the i)est animal in this class or in the show, but 
if the animal has another year on him and has 
the same weight, character and quality he would 
not be the best animal in the class or in the 
show. The fact is self-evident ; for at the Smith- 
field Show in London in 1879 the champion 
prize went to a two-year-old, not because he was 
the best steer or best animal in the show with- 
out regard to age, but considering his age he 
was the best animal in the show. 

The protest against this steer secured another 
verdict, and that was that the grade Hereford 
steer, two-year-old, belonging to T. L. Miller 
was the best steer in the show if the Nichols 
steer was ineligible. 

Tiiere is no reasonable doubt but that the 
Nichols steer was over five years old, weighing 
2,465. The two-year-old Hereford was three 
years younger and weighed 1.845 pounds, and 
» his carcass was worth as much (or more) on the 
block as the Nichols steer. The grade Here- 
ford steer here mentioned, Conciueror, was the 
best of the six two-year-old Hereford steers ex- 
hibited by us. There was not an uneven spot in 
him ; he was evenly covered by thick, firm 'flesh. 

Why did the Illinois State Board accept this 
steer Nieliols as a four-year-old and permit him 
to be exhibited as such? Did they require the 



cancellation of tlu; awards on the animals to 
which, of a right, they belonged? Why did 
they permit the steer Nichols — when the ex- 
hibitor did not know how old he was, and Mrs. 
Prescott had said he was dropped in 1875 — 
permit him to show as a four-year-old ? Why 
did the Board go on and publish the cut of this 
Nichols steer, and the reports of the commit- 
tee, when they had the evidence before them 
that he had been shown under fraudulent repre- 
sentation ? 

It would have been difficult for the Board to 
explain their actions in this matter in a way 
that would have satisfied the public or compet- 
ing exhibitors. The facts' in reference to his 
breeding and age which disproved every state- 
ment of the exhibitor were before the Board be- 
fore their report was published, and their atten- 
tion was called to these facts; still the report 
was made and no reference made to the misrep- 
resentation. This thoroughbred of 1879 was 
permitted to exhibit as a four-year-old grade in 
1880, when satisfactory evidence was before 
them that he was a five-year-old. 

To show how the English courts of law looked 
at a similar matter (^ 162) of false pretenses, or 
of selling an animal with a false pedigree, it 
will be well to read carefully the trial of "All- 
sop vs. Hopkins," in England, for damages re- 
sulting from the sale of a Shorthorn bull, with 
fraudulent pedigree. Mr. Stavely Hill, the at- 
torney for the plaintiff, in stating his case to 
the court and jury, gave the following defini- 
tion of the origin of the Shorthorn breed and 
of the English 
Shorthorn Herd 
Book. We repro- 
duce this report 
because it gives a 
clear, concise state- 
ment of the origin 
and character of 
the Shorthorn 
breed of cattle. 

"Mr. Stavely 
Hill, in opening 
the case to the 
jury, after refer- 
ring to the import- 
ant issues raised 
by the pleading, 
proceeded to give 
an interesting ac- 
count of the origin of the Shorthorn breed, 
and of the Herd Book kept by the society. 
He pointed out that towards the close of the 
last century some experienced farmers had no- 
ticed that the breed of large cattle in the south 




J. B. GREEN, 
Marlow, Herefordshire. 



254 



HISTOEY OF HEREFOED CATTLE 




G. H. GREEN, 

Of the firm of J. B. & G. H. Green, 

Marlow, Herefordshire. 



of Durham and in the north of Yorkshire had 
capabilities of great improvement, so as to ren- 
der them more valuable for dairy purposes, and 
at the same time that they would have greater 
capabilities for putting on flesh. With this 
view Messrs. Colling of Ketton and Mr. Bates 
of Kirklevington cros.scd their breed; the one, 
it is said, with a polled Galloway and the other 
with a Kylo, or 
West Highlander 
(11 16 3)— and 
after several ju- 
dicious crosses 
succeeded in pro- 
ilucing the pres- 
I'lit best establish- 
ed and illustrious 
families of the 
Shorthorn tribe. 
It would be clear 
that this breed 
must be consider- 
ed an artificial 
breed, and there 
would be a ten- 
dency to breed 
l)ack to the older 
breed, which 
would take every opportunity of reasserting it- 
self; and, undoubtedly, if left to a state of na- 
ture those points of the animal which might 
be called its natural characteristics would reap- 
pear, while the Shorthorn points would in pro- 
portion be lost. In these circumstances it was 
necessary to keep a constant watch with a view 
to eliminate any reappearance of the older 
breed displaying itself, either by a dark nose 
or a straight horn or other characteristics, and 
to keep for breeding purposes only those ani- 
mals which showed the permanent Shorthorn 
features, and for this purpose the Herd Book 
has been established as a register of those ani- 
mals which might be relied on by the breeder 
to maintain the character of the tribe. The bull 
in question in this action, professed to be a bull 
of five crosses, and to be thus eligible for entry 
in the Herd Book ; and the learned counsel il- 
lustrated the difference there would be between 
the produce of such an animal and an animal 
such as that he should prove the bull really to 
be, viz., one got by a pedigree bull upon a dairy 
cow, by pointing out that in the latter there 
would be much doubtful lilood as would amount 
— to illustrate by means of a chess board — to 
one-half of the board, while in the former 
the doubtful blood would be equivalent only 
to one square, or one-sixty-fourth of the board." 
Those who have used the Shorthorns to cross 



upon other breeds will recognize the truth of 
the attorney's statement when he says : 

"It will be clear that this breed of cattle 
must be considered an artificial breed, and 
there will be a tendency to breed back to the 
older breed, which would take every oppor- 
tunity of reasserting itself; and, undoulitedly, 
if left to a state of nature, those points of the 
animal which might be called its natural char- 
acteristics would reappear, while the Short- - 
horn points would in proportion be lost." 

In the action referred to, Mr. Allsop ob- 
tained Judgment for $3,750, which was not 
only the direct damages, but the constructive 
damages for the produce of a bull in the herd 
of Mr. Allsop, being the difference between the 
value of the calves by this bull, and what the 
value would have been had he been what he 
was represented to be. 

The bull in question had been shown at the 
Birmingham Animal Show in March, 1875, as 
a tlioroughhred ; when these facts, brought out 
in the trial, came to the knowledge of the Bir- 
mingham society, that society commenced an 
action against Mr. Hopkins, which was tried 
at Warwick Assizes, February 18, before Lord 
Chief Justice Cockburn; of which we present 
the following report: 

"His lordship having summed up, the jury 
retired to consider their verdict at half-past 
four, and shortly after, returned into Court 
with a verdict of guilty, and his lordship, in 
sentencing the prisoner, says: The jury have 
found you guilty of obtaining £20 ($100), 
given by the Agricultural Society for the ex- 
hibition of the best animal in the class. I 
think it is a pity to see a young man of your 
respectability and position, standing convicted 
of fraud, yet I do not think the jury could 
have arrived at any other conclusion. You 
possessed, no doubt, a very fine animal, but 
then you had no pedigree, and by the condi- 
tions of the exhibition you were not entitled 
to take a prize. You manufactured a pedigree 
— that no reasonable man can doubt. A man 
who docs that to gain a prize, gains that prize 
by false j)retenses, and he robs not only the 
society, but the man who ought to have taken 
the prize, just the same as if it were taken out 
of his pocket. If you were not sensible that ' 
this was a dishonest transaction, then I am 
sorry for you, for you did not properly appre- 
ciate the turpitude of the act. That it was 
robbing another competitor is the real nature 
of the case, and if such frauds were allowed 
to go on unpunished there would be an end 
to open and honest competition. The jury 
have recommended you to mercy, and I take 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLB 



35.5 



that into consideration. A sentence of three 
montlis at hard labor is the li<:;htest sentence I 
can pass upon you." 

It is well to note here that the Birmingham 
Society did not sit tamely down and let the 
exhibitor of this bull come back to their show 
the next year and carry off the Sweepstake 
prize; hut commenced an action against Mr. 
liiipkins. and put a stop to his further depre- 
dations. 

The "Century" for February, 1881, discusses 
the different methods now in vogue, by which 
parties take that which does not belong to 
them. They say: "He who takes by stealth what 
belongs to another, is a thief. He who takes 
by violence is a robber, and a robber is pro])erly 
supposed to disappear with other predatory 
animals before the progress of civilization. 
But this is a superficial judgment. The force 
that unlawfully dispossesses men of their prop- 
erty, passes through many transformations, but 
no force is more persistent. Men are plundered 
nowadays, plundered in America, more than 
in England in the days of Robin Hood. There 
are men among us, beside whose robberies, 
those of the brigands of Italy and Greece, and 
the Bedouins of the desert are merely pleas- 
antries. Of all the triumphs of invention, none 
are more wonderful than that by which the 
hard earned gains of millions are forcibly con- 
veyed to the treasuries of the robber princes. 
No business is more higlily organized, more 
stealthily pursued, more successfully manauid 
than the business of robbery. Yet imder all 
this elaboration of method, it is robbery; and 
nothing worse or better. The peculiarity of 
the modern method of robbery, is the employ- 
ment by robbers of the state, as their enforced 
agent and accomplice." 

The "Century" here opens and develops meth- 
ods that are of interest to us in the discussion 
of the live stock interests of America. 

We have called attention to the, fact, that 
about sixty years ago, the Shorthorn influence, 
or, using the term of the "Century," "Shorthorn 
robbers," used the English Society, termed the 
Society for the Diffusion of I^seful Knowledge, 
as their enforced agent and accomplice, and as 
an endorser for their schemes. Ten years later 
they used the State of New York as their en- 
forced agent and accomjilice — or as an en- 
dorser. Later they used the State of Illinois. 
In November, 1880, standing under the author- 
ity of the State of Illinois, as President of the 
State Agricultural Society, the President per- 
mitted these Shorthorn rol)hers to fraudu- 
lently enter and cxhil)it their animals, and 
under these fraudulent exhibits, take money 
that did not belong to them, and statistics 



were published under the authority of the 
State of Illinois, based upon fraudulent data. 
The "Century" closes the article, from which 
we have quoted, by saying: "What have 
the people to say about these practices? They 
do not appear as yet to have anything to say. 
The robber princes are held in high esteem, 
they go about to the colleges, some of them, 
and doctors of law and doctors of divinity 
grovel at their feet. If any Mordecai has re- 
fused to bow down before them, his name has 
not been reported. Men whose riches have 
been increased by spoiling their neighbors, are 
held up as shining examples for the imitation 
of youth. So long as teachers silently endure 
such iniquities, it is not to he expected that 
the people will cry out against them. But the 
day is sure to come when plain men will clearly 
see that no man can get with clean hands in 
an ordinary lifetime a hundred of million of 
dollars. That such an enormous pile so sud- 
denly collected must he loot, not profit. That 
will be a day of reckoning indeed, for the rob- 
bers and for the judges, and for legislators and 
public teachers who 
have been their ac- 
complices. In the 
meantime these 
facts are to be 
borne in mind, for 
we have among us 
a class of men, 
who in their rapac- 
ity, are bound on 
enriching t h e m - 
selves by forcibly 
seizing the proper- 
ty of their neigh- 
bors ; and they have 
learned how to 
use, for this pur- 
])ose, the organized 
force of the state. Some means must bo 
found of putting a stop to them. Unless this 
be done speedily the respect for law, on 
which social order rests, will not long sur- 
vive." The writer whom we here quote, had 
in mind, when writing, that class of operations 
known as star route frauds, but it is equally 
applicable to the cattle ring, that organize their 
interest under the authority of the state and un- 
iler this authority organize their society and 
shows, select judges in their interest, and pub- 
lish the awards rendered by such judges, as an 
evidence of merit in their cattle, or standing be- 
tween fraudulent entries and a proper investi- 
gation in regard to them. There is a growing 
di-mand throughout the country that these and 
similar frauds shall be exposed. 




.lOHN PRICE, 
Of Court House, Herefordshire. 



256 



HISTOEY OF HEEEFOED CATTLE 



CHAPTER XXII. 

The "Breeders' Journal' 



The amount of opposition tliat the Hereford 
breed of cattle encountered, during their up- 
ward march to popularity, in America, can be 
but faintly imagined, indeed, it does not seem 
possible at this day that the agricultural and 
stock journals were so completely dominated 
by the Shorthorn men prior to 1880. 

We were, from the commencement of our 
experience in breeding Hereford cattle, liberal 
advertisers in the live stock journals, and while 
this, to some extent, opened their columns to 
us, to advocate the cause of the Herefords, we 
were continually handicapped by their desire 
to do or «ay nothing to offend their Shorthorn 
customers. 

The following quotation, taken from the 
"National Live Stock Journal," shows the 
standard by which the editor of that journal 
measured merit. It evidently refers to the 
Herefords as a meritorious, but not widely 
popular breed of cattle, and takes the ground, 
by implication, that the Shorthorns are the 
best breed, mainly, because they are so popu- 
lar. The article referred to, says: "In con- 
versation with an intelligent and enthusiastic 
breeder of a meritorious, but not 'widely popu- 
lar' breed of stock (and here we give formal 
notice, that we frankly decline inviting criti- 
cism, by being more special), we frankly told 
him that as far as money making was con- 
cerned, we should advise him to select a more 
l)opular breed. If he desired to do the most he 
could for his neighbors and the agriculture of 
his country, his course would naturally be de- 
termined by his belief, that his favorite breed 
was the best for farmers generally. The breed 
in question has been in this country for at least 
half a century, but is little more known now 
than it was twenty years ago. Our friend ad- 
mitted the facts, but marveled at the obtuse- 
ness of the farmers. If any breed has been 
and continues to be, popular and fashionable 
over a wide region of country, it is useless to 
deny it the possession of siibstantial merits. 
The Shorthorns have, for instance, had their 



poj)ularity greatly helped in many ways, but 
had it not been for substantial merit, this breed 
could not, by any combination of influences, 
have been made to gain and retain so wide- 
spread a popularity. 

"It is quite within the possibilities, however, 
that some other breed, which has not been so 
skillfully handled, is a better one for general, 
use than the Shorthorns. It now strikes us 
we should let their work speak for them, rather 
than to indulge in reasoning to show what they 
ought to do. If they were mainly fitted for 
beef production, we should try to make good 
exhibits at fat stock shows." 

This standard of merit would not do for the 
Hereford. In our contest for recognition, we 
were compelled to call things by their right 
names, and if gross injustice was done to so 
characterize it. 

The "Breeders' Gazette" was established in 
1881, by Mr. J. H. Sanders, a year after we 
established the "Breeders' Journal." In their 
first number, Mr. Sanders gave the keynote, as 
to the stand the "Gazette" would take, in refer- 
ence to breeds of cattle. It is as follows: 
"While the Herefords, Devons, Jerseys, Hol- 
steins. Polled Angus, Ayrshires and other breeds 
of cattle will each receive due attention and fair 
treatment in our columns, yet it cannot be de- 
nied that there are ten men interested in Short- 
horns to where there is one engaged in breed- 
ing any other variety. And recognizing this 
very general distribution of Shorthorn blood 
throughout the country, we shall endeavor to 
make "The Breeders' Gazette" indispensable to 
the breeders of that strain of cattle. We shall 
keep a vigilant eye upon the business in the 
States, Canada and England, and shall always 
have the latest possible Shorthorn news. The 
Book (Shorthorn) question will receive due at- 
tention, and the views of many of our leading 
breeders will be published through our col- 
umns. Valuable historical sketches of the 
various tribes to be found in the herds of 
America will appear from time to time, and a 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



257 



series of articles on the celebrated bulls of the 
past is m>\v in course of preparation. While 
thus incurring great expense in order to make 
a Shorthorn department unequaled by any of 
our contemporaries, we feel sure that we shall 
command warm enough support to Justify the 
outlay. At least, we shall strive to deserve it." 

If the Hereford cattle were to succeed, there 
must be a way provided, so that they could 
break down the opposition to them, by letting 
it be known broadcast over the United States, 
their true merits; and also the facts as to 
manipulated shows, and have an advocate de- 
voted to their interests. Not because they were 
Herefords, but because they were the most 
economical feeders and best beef cattle that 
could be obtained, either on grass or in the 
stall. 

To meet this want, we commenced the pub- 
lication of "The Breeders' Journal," the first 
number being issued March, 1880. 

Our opening keynote was as follows : "The 
Breeders' Journal" will be published in the in- 
terest of the meat production of America, the 
world as a market. Economy of production 
and value of product being the test of merit; 
and will rest its claims to public favor on the 
merit of these issues, and the ability with wjiich 
they shall be maintained." 

We claim that we took much broader ground 
than did our competitors in this line. 

The "Breeders' Journal" was a success as 
long as we published it, being until the close 
of 1887: and was of the greatest assistance in 
placing the Herefords before the public. 



Mr. Sanders was editor of the "National 
Live Stock Journal" before he established the 
"Breeders' Gazette," and his sympathies and 
the sympathies of his son who succeeded him, 
have always been with the Shorthorn breeders. 
Flinging the standard which we quoted de- 
fiantly to the breeze, was to our mind manly, 
but after flaunting the Shorthorn flag in this 
emphatic way, there was little excuse for the 
"Gazette's " contemptuous flings at the "Breed- 
ers' Journal" as being a "trade circular." 

If the "Breeders' Journal" was a Hereford 
trade paper, the "Breeders' Gazette" jealously 
guarded its reputation as being the Shorthorn 
breeders' own and only real, authorized, re- 
vised version of the Shorthorn trade journal. 

An editor, like any other man, may — 
probably must — have his preferences, and for 
these we should not criticise them. It is only 
when they deny their partiality, and forgetfully 
cry aloud their fairness and their equal treat- 
ment of all breeds that they merit criticism, 
and then we have not spared them. 

When an equal amount of money, time and 
labor is spent by an agricultural publication to 
gather, edit and publish data for the Hereford 
breed, as it expends or has spent on the Short- 
horn breed, then we shall believe in the impar- 
tiality of their editors, and not before. And in 
this connection we can say to the impartial 
student that a study of Hereford history and 
achievements, will be found a subject surpass- 
ing in interest and antiquity that of any other 
line of investigation open to the explorer of 
live stock lore. 




T. LEWIS. 
"The Woodhous 
Herefordshire. 



258 



HISTORY OF HERETO ED CATTLE 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

The Shorthorn Men Endeavor to Get Down Easy 



Those who remember the grade Hereford 
steer ''Conqueror" will say that he was a most 
wonderful animal. We propose to give some 
of the matter that was written about him and 
our other show steers, as we think that the 
Hereford steers exhibited in the years 1879, 
1880, 1881, and later were largely conducive 
to the pronounced success of the Hereford 
breed of cattle. 

The show of Herefords made at the Fat 
Stock Show, Chicago (1880), was made by C. 
M. Culbertson, G. S. Burleigh and myself, ilr. 
C. had one pair of steers that he bought, but 
the rest were his own breeding. We made our 
show of our own breeding. The cow "Maid of 
Orleans" was only three years old and weighed 
1,750 pounds. Our six two-year-old steers, 
two thoroughbreds and four grades, were short 
two-year-olds and weighed from 1,600 to 
1,845 pounds each, off the cars. These animals 
were all the get of the old imported bull "Suc- 
cess." The "Maid of Orleans" was put up to 
feed in May, and made, up to the time of the 
show, 500 pounds. The two heaviest two-year- 
olds made in eleven months, 800 and 850 
pounds. 

Mr. Burleigh's were his own breeding and 
feeding. Mr. Gillette and Mr. Moninger had 
each entered a yearling for slaughter, but re- 
fused to kill. The steer "Conqueror" was 
dropped on or about the first of August, 1878, 
being at the time that he was exhibited in 1880, 
27 months old, weighing 1,845 pounds. The en- 
tire lot was choice, one of which was slaugh- 
tered at the show and another went to Detroit, 
where he was slaughtered by Messrs. Smith & 
Co. The other four returned to Beecher to be 
held for another year. 

The six steers and "Maid of Orleans" were 
sketched by Mr. Dewey, and were lithographed 
in colors with the old bull "Success," making 
a group of eight head, being the old bull and 
several of his get. (See color plate.) 

The steer "Conqueror" was not fed until 
January. 1880, with more than ordinary keep, 
and at fifteen months oM, did not weigh over 
IjOOO pounds. He had never been kept up, 



Init had run in the yard and pasture until that 
time. He was taken from the cow and raised 
on the pail and fed corn and oats, ground, until 
beets would do to give, when he had some of 
these sliced with his meal, having for the first 
six months some oil cake. 

The "JIark Lane Express" has said that a 
Hereford calf cannot be taken from the cow 
and raised on the pail, without detriment to the 
character of the bullock. Four of the above- 
mentioned six bullocks were raised on the pail 
and two on the cows. We recognize the "Mark 
Lane Express" as one of the al)lest and fairest 
of the live stock journals, but think some of 
their claims are based on customs, rather than 
on facts. We should have been very glad if 
we could have placed "Conqueror" on the 
Smithfield show groimd, not with the entire 
confidence that wo should win there, but that 
we might have compared our best with the 
best of England. 

Mr. Burleigh's yearlings showed early ma- 
turity and ripeness to perfection; one a thor- 
oughbred, the other a grade. So with our 
grade, which took the sweepstakes for best 
yearling in the show and the "Farmer's Re- 
view" gold medal. 

This exhibit of Herefords should have gone 
far to settle the question of early maturity, and 
one other, that is, light hind quarters, com- 
pared with fore quarters. Still another charge 
of the Shorthorn men was confuted, to-wit: 
that the Herefords were small. Of the three- 
year-olds that were slaughtered, the Herefords 
were over three hundred pounds heavier than 
the three-year-old Shorthorn; and of the two- 
year-olds, the Hereford was one hundred 
])ounds heavier than the Shorthorn, and in 
both classes the Herefords had the advantage 
of greater live weight. 

Another thing the Shorthorn exhibitors and 
reporters made a great ado about was the forc- 
ing process to which the Herefords had been 
subjected; they claimed that "It was not so 
much a contest for Herefords against Short- 
horns, as it was skillful feeding and forcing, 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



259 



against the methods of tlie common farmer." 
We find tliis expression in the "National Live 
Stock Journal," and it was a common expres- 
sion amon^ (he Shorthorn men during the 
show. On what hase does this claim stand? 
Simply that the Herefords were the best cattle, 
and they took this way of letting themselves 
down easily. We are not disposed to find much 
fault with the "National Live Stock Journal" 
for using these terms. Their report was gener- 
ally fair, as regards this show, but they might 
have gone further and said that Cobb & Phil- 
lips had a pair of yearling Shorthorns that they 
had fed on gruel and milk from birth, and still 
a Hereford grade of Miller's that had roughed 
it all his life until two months before the show, 
beat them on the sweepstakes. Let us see who 
these simple farmers were, who came to the 
show with their cattle, having used only the 
methods of the common farmer. 

There was Mr. Gillette, a "common farmer," 
not ranch of a breeder, not skilled (only having 
had about forty years' experience, with only a 
small herd to choose from — of about 1,000 bul- 
locks), one should not expect much of him ( ?) 
Then there was AVm. Sandu.sky of Catlin, 111.; 
he was only a "common farmer," with "com- 
mon farmer methods." Sure, he had been a 
Shorthorn breeder ever since he was old 
enough to do anything, breeding thorough- 
breds, and an exhibitor of cattle, for we don't 
know how long — perhaps not more than twenty 
years. That is not much and he should not 
have learned much in that time (?). Then 
there is D. M. Moninger, of Albia, la., another 
"common farmer," with a "common farmer's 
methods." He claimed to have been breeding 
and exhibiting Shorthorns for a quarter of a 
century. But that isn't much; a man appar- 
ently couldn't learn much in that time; he ex- 
hibited a show of fat bullocks at the Iowa State 
Fair, and the beauty of the show the press 
extolled throughout the breadth of the land; 
he selected only one out of the entire Iowa 
show to bring to Chicago (?). There was John 
H. Sherman, General Manager of the Union 
Stock Yards. Chicago, another of these "com- 
mon farmers," who fed according to the 
"methods of the common farmer," and nothing 
more. Scrub cattle only, they ought to have 
said, still, Mr. Sherman had been picking the 
choicest animals that he could find; had a 
palace of a stable — large, roomy boxes, every 
comfort and convenience, and employed an ex- 
pert herdsman from Scotland to feed them; 
just "common methods" — that is all (?). We 
had forgotten: Mr. Sherman did buy three 
yearling steers from Brown Bros., Sangamon, 



111. — "common farmers," with "methods of the 
common farmer," whose cattle were numbered 
by hundreds and acres by thousands. Bah! 
This claim at this day is so utterly silly as to 
be unworthy of notice, except to show what 
lengths a subsidized organ could go in its ex- 
cuses for the cause it advocated. 

Then there was Wm. Scott. How ridiculous 
to term him a common farmer with common 
farmers' methods. He bred Shorthorns and ex- 
hibited, and sent a cow to be slaughtered, and 
there is every reason to suppose that he had 
graduated above any common farmer, but judg- 
ing him by his cows and taking his organ at its 
word, he must be nothing more. But then there 
were J. H. Potts & Son ; should nothing be ex- 
pected from them from their almost unrivaled 
experience in feeding and showing, boasting of 
$4:0,000 in winnings with Shorthorns? Should 
we have allowed them more time to learn that 
by and by some- 
thing might be ex- 
pected from them? 
Messrs. Cobb & 
Phillips, E a n k a- 
kee, HI., were they 
just new begin- 
ners, without ex- 
perience, used only 
to "common meth- 
ods"? The veteran 
experience of Amos 
F. Moore, of Polo, 
111., we were to 
suppose must count 
for naught, as well 
as that of Mr. 
Graves, of Ken- 
tucky; for, taking 
the Shorthorn excuse-makers,' we should not 
expect much from a man living in that state 
where they have only been using the improved 
breeds of cattle a little less than a century. 

We might continue this sarcasm, and speak 
of Mr. Dun, of Ohio, Mr. Bassett, of Illinois, 
Mr. Higmon, of Illinois, Mr. Green, of In- 
diana, Mr. Weidman, of Illinois, Mr. Taylor, 
Mr. Winn, Messrs. Willard & Son, Mr. Bidwell, 
Mr. Ross, of Avon, 111. Here is a list of breed- 
ers that may challenge the world for experience 
and, we presume, in knowledge. All, with two 
exceptions, breeders of thoroughbred Short- 
horns for years. And of the two exceptions, 
J. B. Sherman had an experience in cattle mat- 
ters second to no other, and a reputation world- 
wide. The other exception. Gen. Ross, a 
breeder of thoroughbred Devons and of large 
experience. 




J. WILLIAMS. 
Llansannor Court. Glamorgan- 
shire, Wales. 



260 



HISTOEY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Now, no animals in the show had received 
more careful and intelligent feeding than the 
three yearling steers bred by Brown Bros., and 
fed by John B. Sherman. The steers had made 
good gains, but they failed to put on that 
heavy, ripe flesh that the Horefords had and 
there was no use accounting for the better 




PHILIP TURNER, 
Of "Tho Leen," Herefordshire. 

quality of the Ilerefords in any other way than 
that they made better use of their feed, put on 
flesh of a better quality, and in the better parts 
than do the Shorthorns. And when the two 
breeds come together, and have fair judging, the 
Shorthorn must go to the wall, while the credit 
must go to the breed and not to the feeder. We 
do not mean to say that good care and good 
feeding docs not count. It does count. We have 
had experienced and careful herdsmen, our cat- 
tle have been well handled. But is this not 
true of the Shorthorns also? 

Mr. Culbertson won, we think, whenever he 
had an op))ortunity to show against the Short- 
horns, and Mr. Burleigh, of Iowa, took the 
champion prize in Nebraska this same year for 
the best beast in the show, and in this Fat 
Stock Show, the Hereford honors were divided 
among the three Hereford exhibitors, Culbert- 
son, Burleigh and Miller. 

Failing to make an impression on the "com- 
mon farmer" claim, the Shorthorn scribes 
broke out in another place. 

To the Editor of the "Journal" : I noticed in 



your last number an illustration of Mr. T'. L. 
Miller's steer "Conqueror," a very grand bullock 
indeed; but you denominate him a grade Here- 
ford, as if produced by crossing a Hereford 
bull upon the common scrub cow of the coun- 
try — the same as that class of cattle produced 
which we call grade Shorthorns, by breeding 
our thoroughbred Shorthorn sires to the com- 
m(ua scrub cows of the country. Is not the 
term grade Hereford a misnomer? And should 
he not be properly called a cross-bred, as I 
understand either his dam or grandam was a 
Shorthorn cow? This being true, why not call 
him a cross-bred Shorthorn-Hereford, as the 
term "grade Hereford" misleads; the great 
bulk of cattlemen everywhere understanding 
the term "grade" to imply the union of thor- 
oughbred and scrub stocks, and not the union 
of two thoroughbred stocks, even of different 
tribes. 

Tlie steer himself, except in color, bore many 
strong Shorthorn characteristics, especially in 
flank and quarter — a comparison of these 
points with the pure bred Herefords on exhibi- 
tion readily discovers these facts. 

Again, his rapid gain per day over his pure- 
bred Hereford cousins, even the prize winners, 
as set forth in your very instructive tables in 
the last number of the "Journal," lends addi- 
tional illustration and force to the fact, that 
from somewhere besides his Hereford blood he 
is indebted for his capacity to lay on flesh 
rapidly, and thus come up to the point of early 
maturity. 

I for one, am perfectly willing that Mr. Mil- 
ler should have all the glory possible — and he 
deserves a great deal for the skillful feeding 
of his stock exhibited — but I do seriously 
object to his borrowing any of our Shorthorn 
lilood to build up his Herefords with, and then 
parading it through the press of the country 
as an entirely Hereford variety. "Render unto 
Caesar the things that are C£E.sar's." — T. C. 
Anderson. 

We find the above in the "National Live 
Stock Journal" for January, 1881. We met the 
same thing in the Kansas City "Indicator" and 
"Farmers' Magazine," of Louisville, Ky. This 
statement was made by prominent Shorthorn 
breeders at the Fat Stock Show of 1880. The 
leading exhibitor at that show stated to quite a 
crowd that had gathered round him, that Mr. 
Miller had selected Shorthorn cows from which 
to breed these bullocks. This same exhi1)itor 
said that the cow "Maid of Orleans" had Short- 
horn blood, and when asked on what authority 
he made this statement, his reply was that 
"somebody had said so." 

A letter from the herdsman of Messrs. Lee 



HISTOHY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



2G1 



& Keynolfls, of New Mexico, was publislu'd 
during tlie show week, stating that the Here- 
fords were giving the best satisfaction. A few- 
weeks previous to this, the "National Live 
Stock Journal'' said that on a careful inquiry 
among a large number of cattlemen from the 
j)lains they found the Hcrefords were giving 
the best satisfaction; and still Shorthorn breed- 
ers rejjorted and Shorthorn journals circulated 
that the Ilerefords were being rejected. 

But to return to Mr. Anderson. His state- 
ment is made here as though there was no 
question as to the truth of what he is saying. 
Mr. Miller never purchased a Shorthorn cow 
and never bred a Hereford bull to a Shorthorn 
cow, and there was no cow on his place that 
liad tlie appearance of a Shorthorn. 
■ The dam of "Conqueror"' was a grade cow, 
bought of Mr. E. Parsons, of Pittsfield, Ohio, 
seven years previous to this time. While we 
•never knew or inquired how this cow was bred, 
her appearance would indicate some Devon 
blood. 

We wrote to Mr. Cjeorge W. Probert, of Pitts- 
field, who negotiated the purchase of the cow, 
to call on Mr. Parsons and ascertain, if he 
could, how the cow was bred. This letter was 
•written on ilarcli 11, 1881; he replied on the 
llith of March, as follows: 

"I saw Mr. Parsons to-day. He says the cow 
with the white face and irpturned horn (dam 
of 'Conqueror') was sired by 'Fairboy' (4574) 
475, Mr. Parsons' old Hereford bull, bred by 
T. Aston, formerly of Elyria, Ohio. Her dam 
was sired by a Devon hull, said to be near full 
blood; her grandam was sired by a Hereford 
bull and out of a common cow of unknown 
breeding." 

The ages and breeding of our other steers 
were attacked. Of the four grade two-year-old 
steers that we showed, "Putnam," "Rob Roy,"' 
"Bachelor" and "Conqueror," in 1880: "Put- 
nam" was shown in 1879, weighing 1,153 
pounds; "Conqueror" was estimated at that 
time to have weighed about 1,000 pounds. He 
had up to this time run in the yard, with fair, 
gmerous keep, but not crowded; and was, as 
our recolU'ction serves us, a younger steer than 
"Putnam," and "I'utnam" had been registered 
as July 12, 1878. 

The steer "Kansas" was bought in Kansas, no 
account taken of his breeding, as he was not 
intended as a show steer. When we returned 
from England in October we found that Sir. 
Wa(s(m had put him up to feed. This was 
done the week before the State Fair, as he in- 
formed us. The only facts we had as to age 
was his mouth, and that showed him to be one 



year old; his two-year-old teeth came in De- 
cember. While a bullock may show by his 
mouth an older age than his actual age, we 
believe that in no instance does the bullock 
carry a younger mouth than the actual age 
would warrant. 

The following letter, copied from the "Cor- 
respondence" columns of the Kansas City 
"Commercial Indicator," was written in answer 
to othtT claims made by T. C. Anderson, from 
the breeder of the steer "Kansas," and states 
that he was calved in December, 1878, which 
agreed with the time his two-year-old teeth 
came : 

L'ving, Marshall Co., Kan. 
Jan. 9, 1883. 

Your correspondent, Mr. T. C. Anderson, 
still endeavors to impress upon the mind the 
idea that it is given him to expose fraud, and 
especially the imaginary fraud of T. L. Miller. 
Now, as I understand the matter, the charge 
against Mr. Miller is that he does not give the 
breeding and age of the steer "Kansas." In or- 
der that Mr. Anderson may be gratified and the 
public correctly informed, will say that we bred 
and raised the steer "Kansas," and sold him to 
Mr. T. L. Miller. We will therefore give his 
breeding and age. The sire of "Kansas" is a 
tliorouglil)red Hereford Inill; his dam was a 
red and white spotted cow. We should judge 
from color, horns, build and weight, that she 
was a cross between the native and Texas; she 
was about six years old at this time. The steer 
(Kansas) was calved in December, 1878, and 
judging from the quality of the cow, we did not 
consider a calf from 
h e r desirable t o 
keep for a grade 
Inill, and we there- 
fore castrated him 
at an early age. He 
thrived well with 
fine promise. The 
cow being farrow, 
I shipped her to 
Kansas City in the 
summer of 1880, 
witli a car load of 
cattle, and she was 
sold as a cull for 
$1.75 per 100 lbs., 
and weighed 850 
lt)s. Judging from the quality of the dam and 
the outcome of the steer, it is fair to conclude 
that the merit he possesses was derived from 
his Hereford blood. 

It appears to exercise the Shorthorn mind 
that a grade Hereford steer from Kansas, with 




JOHN MORRIS. 
0£ LuUiani, Herefordshire. 



262 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



only ordinary care up to a few months previous 
to the Fat Stock Show of 1880, should take 
sweepstakes over the pampered thoroughbreds 
and grade Shorthorns of the hlue grass regions 
for the best steer one year old and under two. 
At this time "Kansas" was (iOO days old and 
weighed 1,580 lbs., his average gain per day 





ill' 


1 






2^BUdKP'>J 


^^^^v ^v^^-"^ 


• 



WILLIAM Tl'IiOE, 
Adforton. Herefordshire. 

being 2.27 lbs. (See "National Live Stock 
Journal," December, 1880.) 

Trusting this will be sufficient explanation 
to set at rest this cry of fraud against the steer 
"Kansas," one of the five premium grade Here- 
ford steers, we will leave the charge against 
the steer "Will" for other jiarties to explain why 
he did not make more than 724 days in age 
from November 10, 1879, to November 7, 
1881. Walter M. Morgan & Son. 

We were awarded and still have in our pos- 
session the gold medal offered l)y the "Farmer's 
Review," of Chicago, 111., for the best yearling 
in the Fat Stock Show at Chicago, 1880. We 
won it with the Hereford yearling steer "Kan- 
sas." The following remarks were called forth 
from Mr. W. W. Corbett, editor of the "Farm- 
er's Review," by that occasion: "Mr. Miller: 
I do not know how long the dream of be- 
coming a farmer and stock breeder had haunt- 



ed your mind before you entered upon the 
career; I do not know how long you had 
made a study of the characteristics of the 
different breeds of cattle, and of principles 
upon which successful breeding and feeding 
depend, but I do know, that it is not very many 
years ago that I saw you almost daily in the 
streets of Chicago, elbowing yoiir way through 
the crowds with the same determined look 
upon your face that you wear to-day, but the 
silver that now tints your hair was then hidden 
away in your pocket, if you had it at all. You 
were then prosecuting an intricate business in 
the midst of hundreds of the shrewdest, most 
active and energetic men, who have amassed 
great fortunes, and done so much to build tills 
wonderfid city, and give to it its commercial 
re]iutation. You won a most commendable 
business reputation, and I believe a comfort- 
able fortune. The next I knew of you, you had 
jiurchased a magnificent farm at Beecher (11163) 
and were jireparing to stock it. You did not 
know as much about Herefords then as you do 
to-day. But there was among your advertis- 
ers that stalwart old Hereford hero, our old 
friend Sotham, who, with pen and tongue, had 
been fighting an unsuccessful battle for many 
years against rival interests. Let us give- the 
scarred old veteran the credit of directing your 
enthusiastic efforts into this channel. Then 
you took off your coat and went to work. Your 
l)usiness tact and shrewdness you took into a 
new field. You took all your pertinacity and 
combativeness. At the time of your first pur- 
chase, the white face and symmetrical body of 
the Hereford was a curiosity at a Western Fair. 
You boldly entered the arena and threw down 
the gauntlet to a noble race of animals, owned 
and backed by the money and the brains of as 
shrewd and able a body of men as grace any 
pursuit in any country. I mean the Shorthorn 
breeders of the Ignited States. And now your 
favorite breed is known to all men, and your 
animals march proudly from every noted fair 
ground bedecked with the blue and the red. 

"I know that your determination and com- 
bativeness have led you into many a wordy con- 
flict. A great many people think that 'you do 
protest too much,' and I have no doubt your 
name will go down to Shorthorn posterity as 
the Great American Protester. But after all, 
I do not believe that there is a competitor of 
yours here to-night but will willingly pay trili- 
ute to the grand contest you have made and the 
victories you have won. 

"You, with your al)le coadjutors, Powell, Mor- 
gan and rull)ertson and many others who have 
more recently enlisted in the service, can retire 



1 i I S 'I' () K' V () 1 ' II l<; R ]-: F R D (' A T T L 1'] 



263 



from it in y"'"' liitr-r days with th(! jji'diid con- 
virliciii that your efforts will result in adding 
untold millions to the future stock interests of 
the farmers of this country, by introducing 
})roiiiinently the ])urc Mood of the Herefords, 
to mingle with tlie hardy races of the ])lains. 
Indirectly you are accomplishing another thing. 
Vou are stimulating the breeders of other races 
of cattle to strain every nerve to add still more 
perfect points to their animals, as witness the 
noble specimens that have been so unsuccessful 
against you at this most important exhibition. 
"Mr. Miller, as the representative of the pro- 
gressive agricultural press, which has so heart- 
ily joined hands with the able, earnest and de- 
voted members of the state Board of Agricul- 
ture in furthering the live stock interests of 
the country, I have the pleasure, through 
them, to present to you the prize gold medal 
of the ' Farmer's Review,' so justly won by that 
meritorious young animal that represents in 
his own body the success of a long line of care- 
ful breeding in the old world, your own skill as 
a feeder, and the adaptability of our climate 
and productions to give to every domestic 
animal the touch of perfection. 
"It is the hope of the donors that this beau- 
tiful medal will add something to the satisfac- 
tion that must result from your competition at 
this show, and that those who come after you 
will feel a blush of pride as they apply to you 
the motto herein inscribed: 'The cultured 
mind guides the skillful hand to success.' " 

We give the following extract from the 
"American Stockman's" report of the 1880 Fat 
Stock Show held at Chicago, to show how the 
Herefords there exhibited appeared to the gen- 
eral public : 

Now for a fresh family, the Herefords. 
Must we assign to them the premier place in 
the hall? Yes, we must; there is no getting 
away from it; year by year they creep in, and 
year by year they become more deserving of 
the premiershi]). Let us begin with "Alex," Mr. 
T. L. Miller's three-year-old (and Mr. T. L. 
Miller is the father of the Herefords in Ameri- 
ca). Look at that charming countenance, and 
that great, full, prominent eye. and there you 
will observe what so delights the judge of the 
tip-top grazier. The little fellow when he 
moves actually groans under the load of prime 
marbled beef. What a bosom. How he twists 
and straddles those little timbers of his to carry 
about that great carcass of 1,920 pounds of 
porterhouse steaks. Gentlemen, there is no 
otTal — you cannot find it, although you look for 
it. Kxnmino those crops and chine. Aren't they 
wonderful? Touch that back rib and loin. When 



had you your hand on the like? Not for a long 
time, as Saturday's judgment on the carcass 
will prove. Perhaps he is a little narrow on 
the quarters, but the rump steaks are there in 
abundance, and ripe at that; his twist is deep, 
and he carries his beef to his hamstrings, like a 
Berkshire pig. Well done, "Alex." 

Mr. Miller is surely far seeing, for he called 
his last two-year-old steer "Conqueror." Come 
to the front, "Conqueror," although you are yet 
in the meridian of your fame, and let me de- 
scribe you to those who have only heard of you 
but not seen you. Look what an attractive gait 
he has, how beautifully he walks, how he im- 
proves in everyone's estimation the longer he 
is looked at; everyone can see that his very vic- 
tory is a foregone conclusion, that he is the best 
animal in the hall, and that his meat is worth 
more than the champion Shorthorn winner by 
at least two cents per pound. "Conqueror" is 
thick and deep down to the ground. He is 
smooth in the extreme; he is lengthy and yet 
compact; he is fleshy and yet fat, and beef from 
head to heel. What more is wanted? The re- 




mainder of Mr. Miller's hetd — numbering nine 
steers and one heifer in all, were^an admirable 
display, one rarely to be met with; as several 
good judges remarked, the best lot of finished 
cattle ever seen, shown by one man in America ; 
all bred and fed at Highland Stock Farm, 
property of T. L. Miller, Beecher, 111. (H 188) 



264 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



We will not indulge in any rude remarks about 
the judges in the defeat of Mr. T. L. Miller's 
heifer, the "Matchless Maid of Orleans." Xo, it 
is not becoming; they were old men, and left 
home without their spectacles. It is invariably 
the case, the cross-bred sections form one of 
the best features of the show and you will see 
by the next exhibition that several of the 
"Beechers" are bound to take a prominent posi- 
tion in 1881. Perhaps they, instead of the re- 
markable Kentucky steers, will get away with 
the much coveted "National Live Stock Jour- 
nal" silver cup. An eager crowd viewed the move- 
ments of the judges with much interest in the 
award for the championship this year; it will 
be viewed with no less anxiety next year. The 
battle is now fairly begiin between the Here- 
fords and Shorthorns; each have their favor- 
ites, and justly so. Stand by your colors until 
you see who is the winner, but take care the 
black Polled Angus do not take part in the 
battle of beef and delay the decision. I am 
impartial. There is plenty of room in America 
for all breeds. 

In grade Herefords, Mr. C M. Culbertson 



produced a grand animal, ripe and well finished, 
champion of his class as the best three-year-old 
of any breed, beating Mr. Miller's three-year- 
old "Alex." So decided the judges on Thvirs- 
day the 18th inst., but little "Alex" told them 
he was riper, requested to be dressed and hung 
up by the heels and the public would see that 
the Highland Stock Farm steer was a better 
and more finished carcass than the Hereford 
Park one. Ala.?, it turned out true. 

Mr. Editor, my time is limited, otherwise 
from memory I should like to enter into details 
on the merits of many a worthy animal, such 
as General Ross' lovely Devons, and John B. 
Sherman's mammoth steers that appeared at 
your Chicago Fat Stock Exhibition. But I can- 
not conclude without taking particular notice 
of Mr. G. S. Burleigh's three one-year-old 
steers, one thoroughbred and two grades, raised 
and fed in Iowa by their breeder. They are 
perfectly marvelous as to maturity yet full of 
robustness and a good future. Mr. Burleigh is 
about the last man I want to tackle in one-year- 
old competition, and that is a good deal to 
confess. 




LORD WILTON (4740) 4057 

Bred by William Tudge: sold at auction for 3,800 guineas, 

equal to $20,000 (1884). (From a painting by Gauci.) 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



265 



CHAPTER XXIY. 

The "Brkkdkks' Journal" on the Chicago Fat Stock Show of 1880 



W'c finil in tlic "Breeders' Journal" the fol- 
lowing editorial : 

(^ 189) The Fat Stock Show (1880), held 
in Chicago, was in many respects one of the 
hest exhihits of stock ever held in this country. 
This show is held under the management of 
the Illinois State Board of Agriculture. The 
Hoard is composed of nineteen members, one 
from each of the Congressional Districts of the 
state, and, with few exceptions, they are Short- 
horn breeders. 

The time is not far in the past when the 
Shorthorn breeders had no one to dispute the 
claims of their breed. The Society's plans w'ere 
made, so far as the cattle department was con- 
cerned, with the express reference to the ad- 
justment of the claims among the different 
families of Shorthorns and of their different 
owners. It is yet difficult for them to get away 
from their preconceived notions and prefer- 
ences. Not only is it difficult, but with many 
there is a determined purpose not to depart 
from them, proI)ably from the fact that they 
conceive their breed to be the best, and that 
they must stand guard over them and protect 
them from the claims that the Herefords are 
making upon the position that they have held. 
That this is so is not surprising. In the past 
there was none to disjnite their claims, and 
many think now that those who dispute them 
should be treated as heretics were in the olden 
times. 

It has been the practice in times past at the 
winter meetings to appoint judges for the dif- 
[( rent classes. These judges seldom acted, and 
their jilaces were filled from among the visitors 
on the grounds, sometimes a good selection, but 
often the contrary. 

.\t the inauguration of the Fat Stock Show 
tiie selection has been made by each member 
of the Board nominating one or more of the 
butchers in his district, and from these the 
Fxiard select their judges. These butchers have 
a country experience; as a rule they do not 
slaughter or cut first-class beef or mutton. It 



is such as is quoted as "butcher's stock" in the 
Chicago markets. This stock ranges in price 
fi'om two cents to three cents at the present 
time for live weight, while good shi]iping steers 
will range from $3.50 to $5 per hundred, and 
choice shipping steers from $5.25 to $6.50 per 
hundred. This latter class comes near the 
quality that is shown at the Fat Stock Show, 
and is always in demand at the long price. It 
is not such a quality as their trade demands. 
It is not such as they are acquainted with or 
want. Preferring the "butcher's stock," they 
are not prepared to give their judgment as to 
the best shipping grades. These judges are 
selected largely from districts in which Short- 
horns have held for years the dominant posi- 
tion, and the parties selecting them are Short- 
born breeders; they are likely to be friends of 
the members selecting them; the members' 
friends are the exhibitors of Shorthorns, and 
without charging dishonesty, it is fair to pre- 
sume that their associations lead them to give 
the preference to Shorthorns. This, then, is 
the feature of the present system of judging. 
The judges are selected by Shorthorn breeders 
from the districts where the Shorthorns are 
dominant. They butcher only Shorthorns and 
their crosses, and their experience is in butcher- 
ing what is technically termed "butcher's 
stock." They are not acquainted with shipping 
steers and their value. Two members of the 
Board reside in Chicago, but for some reason 
there were no Chicago butchers selected. 
Among these Chicago butchers are those who 
have a knowledge of the wants of our best 
markets, and those of England as well, and are 
therefore better able to judge as to the value 
of a first-class animal. These men have slaugh- 
tered and cut animals from every breed, while 
the judges selected have never cut a Hereford. 

There is one feature, however, in the ex- 
perience of the city butchers of large practice; 
they know the com]iarative vahie of other 
breeds with the Shorthorns. 

It may seem a singular fact to outsiders, per- 



•2(50 



TTISTOEY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 




haps it may seem a singular fact to some of the 
exhibitors, perhaps it may seem strange to some 
of the members of the Board that in a city of 
500,000 inhabitants no butcher could be found 
that was suitable for a judge at this Fat Stock 
Show. Or, if none of these practiced butchers 
here were suitable, that there might not have 
been found at the Union Stock Yards, among 
some of the men who are buying and shipping 
thousands upon thousands of these higher qual- 
ity of bullocks, one or two men that might 
have been suitable to act as judges on these 
better qualities of cattle. Especially does this 
seem singular, when one of the members (J. P. 
Reynolds) is a resident of Chicago, has a large 
experience, and is eminently intelligent- on 
stock matters; and another (H. D. Emery) who 
has been a resident of Chicago for more than 
a quarter of a century, and the editor of the 
leading agricultural journal of the West during 
all this time. These gentlemen have been mem- 
bers of the State Board for many years and are 
probably among the oldest members. When 
these facts are stated, there will be many who 
will be surprised that there should not have 
been found two or three competent men in the 
great metropolis of the state, the greatest live 
stock market in the world, and that none but 



country butchers could be found that would 
meet the requirements of the Board. 

We have endeavored in this notice to be 
moderate in the expression of our views. This 
much in review of the judges of the Fat Stock 
Show. 

We are now prepared to notice the exhibitors 
and their entries: 

J. D. Gillette, Elkhart, Ind. .Exhibited .47 head. 

T. L. Miller, Beecher, 111. . . " 10 " 

C. ]\I. Culbertson, Chicago. " 2 " 
Wm. Sandusky, Catlin, 111. " 3 " 

D. M. Moninger, Albion, la. " 1 " 
J. B. Sherman, Chicago, 111. " (! " 
Wm. Scott. Wyoming, 111.. " 2 " 
Hiram A. Bassett, Jefferson, 

111; " 1 " 

J. II. Potts & Son, Jackson- 
ville. Ill " 1 " 

J. S. Higmon, Rochester, 111. " 2 " 

John Weedman, Farmer 

City. Ill " 1 " 

Cobb & Phillips, Kankakee, 

111 " 2 " 

A. W. Taylor, Lake Forest, 

111 , " 1 " 



If I S ']' ( ) It Y <) F HERE F K 1) C A T T L E 



367 



J. fi. Willanl & Son, IlMiris- 

town. 111 Kxhihitcd !) head. 

Thos. Bidwcll. (iuinei.. 111. " 2 " 
(J. S. Ikirleigh, Mcchanics- 

ville. la " 3 " 

L. F. Koss, Avon, III " 5 " 

J. II. Graves, Kentucky. ... " 2 " 

Total 100 head 

The quality was from fair to choice. The 
interest centered largely between the Ilerefords 
and llie Shorthorns, and while the Ilerefords 
were in the minority, it may be fairly claimed 
thai in (juality and ripeness they excelled the 
Shorthorns. Of this we shall speak more fully 
before closing our report. The stock to be ex- 
hil)ited were mostly in their stalls by the 13th. 
The exhibition ojiened on the 15th. llonday 
morning the Shorthorn men reported that Swan 
Bros., of Cheyenne, Wyo., were sick of Here- 
fords and were going to dispose of them and use 
Shorthorns. This was probably done to coun- 
teract the effect of the growing popularity of 
the Herefords. C. M. Culbertson telegraphed 
Messrs. Swan to know whether this Shorthorn 
rt[)ort was true. The following is the tele- 
graphic correspondence : 

Chicago, Nov. 15, 1880. 
To A. H. Swan, or Swan Bros., Cheyenne, 

Wyo.: 

Shorthorn men are circulating a report that 
you have had enough of Herefords and will 
hereafter buy Shorthorns. I think this is done 
to influence public opinion at fat cattle shows. 
A full and prompt answer is important. An- 
swer at my expense. C. M. Culbertsox. 
Cheyenne, Wyo., Nov. 15. 
To C. il. Culbertson, Room 3, Board of Trade 
Building: 

We are using 150 Hereford bulls. Intend to 
increase to 300. We are also breeding Here- 
fords in Iowa, having a thoroughbred herd 
there. We are not disgusted with Herefords; 
on tlie contrary, will increase our number 
fast as possible. Swax Bkos. 

The first two days were given mainly to 
showing in classes, which called forth but lit- 
tle excitement or comment. Some of the Short- 
horn exhiljitors had some little question as to 
where the ribbons should be put. 

On Wednesday the show opened with grades 
and crosses, and the interest centered about this 
ring. 

First jiremium for three-year-old steer was 
awarded to J. H. Craves, of Kentucky, for 
grade Shorthorn. 

Second premium to C. M. Culbertson, for 
grade Hereford. 



First premium for two-year-old to A. F. 
Moore, for grade Shorthorn. 

Second to J. H. Potts & Son, for grade Short- 
horn. 

Fir-st to D. M. Moninger, of Iowa, for year- 
ling, for grade Shorthorn. 

Second to T. L. Miller, for grade Hereford. 

The judging in this class was clearly unjust, 
especially as to the two-year-olds. T. L. Miller's 
two-year-olds were very nearly perfect. The 
lightest one was dressed, an account of which 
will be given hereafter. 

The judges in this class, after passing the 
grade Herefords, were discharged, as we under- 
stand, for incompetency. There is a semiofficial 
denial of this, but it is immaterial as to what 
the reasons were. It would not have been done 
but for a reason, and the one stated above is the 
most charitable. 

A protest was made by Mr. Miller, and 
argued before the Board. There was no differ- 
ence of opinion as to the injustice of the award ; 
this, the Board admitted, but they could not 




AARON ROGERS, 
The Rodd, Radnorshire. 

see a way to remedy the error, whereupon the 
protest was withdrawn and the Board relieved 
of further responsibility. 

To test this award, one steer of J. H. Potts 
was bought by Mr. Miller for the purpose of 
dressing, and thus test the judgment of the 
judges. The privilege of dressing the steer at 
the Exposition was asked of the President, but 



268 



HISTOKY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



he refused to permit it. The steer was then 
sold to W. Smith & Co., of Detroit, Mich., 
where the dressed and live weight will be given. 
Following this exhibit came the sweepstakes 
for the best three-year-old steer, the best two- 
year-old steer, the best yearling steer, and the 
best cow of any breed. C. M. Culbertson took 
first premium on three-year-old; T. L. Miller, 
first premium on two-year-old; T. L. Miller, 
first premium on one-year-old." Thus it will 
be seen that the Herefords in these classes not 
only competed with the grades and crosses of 
both Hereford and Shorthorns, biit also the 
thoroughbreds of both breeds were added. 




ANXIETY (518S) 2238. 
Bred by T. J. Carwardine. (From a painting by Dewey.) 
The man in the picture is Geo. F. Morgan, who se- 
lected Anxiety for importation to America. 

making the Shorthorn show much stronger than 
before. The result was a decisive victory for 
the Herefords, the judges deciding in their 
favor. 

In the cow class the award was to the Short- 
horn cow, over "Maid of Orleans," a Hereford 
cow, belonging to T. L. Miller. This was pro- 
nounced the most unjust award of the week. 
But Mr. M. has arranged this class so that the 
judgment of the committee may be tested. 
I3oth animals have gone to Detroit, where they 
will be dressed by W. Smith & Co., and an ac- 
count kept of the weights. Thus, in two-year- 
old steer class and cow class, when against 
Herefords, the test on the block will be taken. 
Many of the Shorthorn breeders charged Mr. 
M. of protesting and finding fault when the 
awards were against him; but in this case he 
will be able to show whether he was right in 
finding fault or not. The next show was for 
the champion prize for best bullock or cow in 
the show. It was admitted that the contest 
was between the Kentucky steer, a grade Short- 
horn this year, and four years old or over, and 
Mr. Miller's ''Conqueror," two years old. 

Messrs. Culbertson and Miller protested 



against this steer showing, as he had been 
shown under false age and pedigree last year, 
but the Board decided that he should be shown. 
The award was made to the Kentucky steer. 
As the protest was made, the Board ordered 
another award in case the protest should be sus- 
tained, and the next would have been T. L. 
Miller's "Conqueror." Messrs. C. and M., recog- 
nizing that it would be a good deal of work in 
proving his age and breeding, withdrew their 
protest, but it did not rest here. There was a 
good minority, if not a majority of the exhibit- 
ors, that believed the Kentucky steer, after his 
record of last year, should not have been ad- 
mitted. He was not less than five 3'ears old. 
Dr. Paaren, after examining his mouth, pro- 
nounced him nearer six years old than five. 
He weighed 3,-i6.5 pounds, while the two-year- 
old Hereford weighed 1,845 pounds, and had 
made 2.?7 pounds per day from birth and took 
the silver cup for the largest gain per day of any 
two-year-old in the show. 

We give in another place an account of this 
Kentucky steer, as shown last year. The 
slaughtering test was the only remaining test 
to bo made in the cattle department. We give 
a table showing the particulars of this, but we 
wish to call attention to the following facts : 

That of the three-year-old steers that were 
slaughtered, there was one grade Hereford, 
one thoroughbred Hereford, one grade Short- 
horn. The grade Hereford weighed at the time 
of slaughtering 1,812| pounds; the thorough- 
bred Hereford 1,850 pounds, and the grade 
Shorthorn 1,5124, the Hereford steers weighing 
300 pounds more than the Shorthorn. 

It will be noticed that there was less differ- 
ence between the fore and hind quarter in the 
Hereford than the Shorthorn, and the heads of 
the Herefords were lighter than the Shorthorns. 

The two-year-old Hereford was 140 pounds 
heavier and had shrunk from the time of leav- 
ing home, 45i pounds, while the Shorthorn had 
shrunk 99 pounds. 

The yearling Hereford steer had a clear field. 
Mr. Gillette and ]\Ir. Moninger had each entered 
yearling Shorthorns for slaughter, but both de- 
clined to kill and could not be induced to bring 
the steers out. 

The awards were to T. L. Miller, for best 
three-year-old ; J. D. Gillette for best two-year- 
old, and G. S. Burleigh for best one-year-old'. 

DRESSED MEAT OF THE THIiEE-YEAR-OLDS. 

LBS. 

C. M. Culbertson's steer weighed 1,256 

T. L. Miller's steer weighed 1,250| 

J. D. Gillette's steer weighed 1,037| 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



269 



DRESSED MEAT OF THE TWO-YEAK-OLDS. 

LBS. 

J. 1). (iilk'ttu's steer weighed 947i 

T. I.. Millers steer weighed l,05o| 

(i. S. Burleigh's steer weighed (one 

year old) 8in| 

Tile Shorthorn men will get hut little com- 
fort out of this show. But they think they will 
next year, for they have agreed to piek up the 
best steers they can find in the United States, 
and put them in the hands of Messrs. J. H. 
Potts & Son, for feeding, and to beat the Here- 
fords at the next Fat Stock Show. We have 
endeavored to make a report of the Cattle Show 
as fairly as possible. We are, however, making 
the re])ort from a Hereford standpoint, and in- 
vite the closest criticism as to the facts. We 
shall expect to renew this report after we get re- 
turns from Messrs. Smith & Co., of Detroit, of 
the dressing of the Potts steer, the Scott cow, 
and tlie ''Maid of Orleans." We shall also make 
investigation in reference to the Graves steer, 
of Kentucky. These three awards reversed, the 
Shorthorns would have been entitled to just 
what the Herefords did not show for. 

It was admitted that as fine a lot of cattle 
was never showil on any show ground by one 
exhil)itor as the six two-vear-olds shown by T. 
L. Miller. 

We present the tabulated statement of the 
slaughter test : 



year-old grade Hereford, belonging to C. 
if. Culbertson, and the sweepstakes to same 
(bullock) establishes his claims. The sweep- 
stakes to T. L. Miller's two-year-old "Conquer- 
or," contingent best animal in the show, estab- 
lishes his claim in grades and crosses. Sweep- 
stakes to T. L. Miller's yearling establishes his 
claim. 

One of the winning grade Shorthorns was 
dressed at Detroit, with T. L. Miller's two-year- 
old, and the Shorthorn cow taking the sweep- 
stakes was slaughtered with T. L. Miller's 
Hereford cow, thus bringing these awards to 
the test of the block. The honors thus won 
gave the Herefords a prestige for 1881 that 
they never had before. The report of the 
dressing of the Hereford cow "Maid of Or- 
leans," will be found in the following letter 
from Wm. Smith & Son, of Detroit, who were 
one of the oldest atid most reliable firms of 
l)utchers in the country. Their exhibit of 
Christmas beef was the largest and best made 
in the United States. 

As will be seen by the figures given in this 
letter, the Hereford dressed the wonderful 
amount of meat to live carcass of 70.48 per 
cent. She was butchered in the market and 
hung up entire. So it was impossible to weigh 
the carcass until it was citt down and quar- 
tered. 

Detroit, Mich., Jan. 29, 1881. 

Dear Sir: We cut the heifer down vester- 







THE SLAUGHTER TEST OF 


THE 


CHICAGO FAT STOCK 


SHOW, ISSO. 














— 


N- 


-. 


M 


R) 


J-C 


^ 


s 


.„ 


— 


K 




_. 


^ 


z. 


NAMt 


OK ANIMAL 


: H 

i :3 


1 
3! 


1 


2 


« 


3 




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D 


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ll 


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p. 






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3* 


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: ^ 




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5 




r 


















":Mn>4s 


•Coat." Hereford. 


1860 


1812^ 


1256 


69.20 


331 


320 


300 


305 


32 


104 


19 


103 


161 '4 


em 


481 


75 


••('Imli 


•' Slioithorn... 


1600 


1512'/j 


1037V5 


68.59 


285 


285 


230 


237'/2 


2714 


87 


16>/! 


79 


146!4 


47 !4 


404 


71 /j 


'• Al-x 


•■ Hficfoiil.... 


laio 


1850 


1250 !4 


67.59 


327 '/j 


318 


295 


310 


321,4 


111 


18/2 


120 


184 


64 


530 


69/2 


'•Piitii 


im. ' Hereford. 


1652 


1607!^ 


10.50 


65.31 


272/2 


272 ^ 


256^ 


249 


28 


9014 


16 


112 


185 


55 


486 


65 


'• llhin 


." Sliortliorii.. 


l.-)60 


1461 


974 "j 


66.70 


260 


2.53^ 


227V4 


233!4 


28 


90 


20 


741/2 


17454 


47 


434 


63 




Of, ' Ilerefonl. 


1265 


1217 


816'i 


67.09 


206 


203'5 


203 ',4 


203^2 


23 


84 


16 


70H 


114 


46 


35214 


48 


•■(iraii 


l(timik."Sh. H. 


.... 


1435 


917 


63.90 










2m 


70 


14 


70 


25G 


61 


492/2 


26 



To sum up the Waterloo defeat that we gave 
the Shorthorns at this show — the Herefords in 
sweepstakes took first for three-year-old bul- 
lock ; first for tw-o-year-old bullock, and first for 
one-year-old bullock. 

The awards which we earned, and did not 
receive, were in grades and crosses; first on 
three-year-old bullock : first and second on two- 
year-old bullock, and sweepstakes for best cow 
in tlie sliow. 

The slaughtering of "Mossy Coat," three- 



day, after lianging 
follows: 



!G davs. Sh 



Miihed as 



One hind-quarter 273 pounds 

One hind-quarter 2T() " 

One fore-quarter 28.5 " 

One fore-quarter 289 " 



All the butchers in 



1,123 pounds, 
our market agree with 



270 



HISTOEY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



us that the carcass must have shrunk at least 
40 pounds. This would make 1,163 pounds, 
the most wonderful exhibit we have ever seen. 
She weighed alive the morning she was killed, 
1,C50 pounds. She cuts up well, but not so 
well as the steers, she being very much fatter 
than they. Her lean meat is the tenderest and 
most juicy we ever saw. 

After a careful examination into the merits 
of the different animals slaughtered by us for 



Christmas, we consider the Herefords far ahead 
of any of the other breeds for quality and 
profit to the butcher and consumer. 

We are very much elated with the success 
of our show this year, and our intentions are 
to increase it next year. We will try to buy 
all your fat cattle next fall. Please let us 
know when you are ready to sell. 
Very truly yours, 

Wm. Smith & Son. 




History of Hereford cattle 



271 



CHAPTER XXV. 

A Conspiracy TiIat FaileiJ 



We give this as it appeared in the "Breeders" 
Journal," only striking out what we consider 
non-essential at this dates 

At the Chicago Fat Stock Show of 1880, 
the stock was to he gathered by the 11th of 
November, to be measured and weighed, that 
the catalogues might he prepared by Monday, 
the regular opening day of the show. This 
four days of preparation was enough to show 
the Shortliorn conspirators that something 
must be done, or the Herefords were to sweep 
the board; and on Monday morning rumors 
were rife that the grade Herefords were from 
Shorthorn cows; that the grade and thorough- 
bred Herefords had been subject to a forcing 
jirocess, while the Shorthorns had come to the 
show from the hands of common farmers and 
common farm methods. 

Tracing these reports, those who were circu- 
lating them said, "they heard so," and this is 
all that could be made; none were ready to 
stand father to the report. Another report that 
the plainsmen w-ere sick of Herefords. and 
that the Swan Bros., of Cheyenne, were sick of 
them and were to get rid of their Herefords and 
replace them with Shorthorns. This report was 
met early Monday morning following the other 
reports. The circulators had no other author- 
ity, than that they had heard so. A telegram 
from Swan Bros, branded that a lie. A letter 
from Lee & Reynolds' ranch showed that the 
Herefords were doing better than any other 
cattle they had. 

All the usual appliances were in use by 
these conspirators during the week, that they 
know so well how to practice. 

Some time after this show one of the con- 
spirators (T. C. Anderson, of Kentucky) comes 
out into the light and he brings two others 
out — one of these, a Shorthorn breeder and 
horseman of Wisconsin, another, a banker of 
Kentucky. We will leave out the banker and 
give some attention to Anderson and the horse- 
man, and their victim, ilr. Wm. Watson. 

Mr. Anderson starts out with the assertion 



that the dam or grandam of Mr. Miller's bul- 
locks were Shorthorn cows. This I pronounced 
false, and challenged him to prove. He says, 
"It is sufficient to say his authority is based 
upon an assertion made and repeated to Robt. 
B. Ogilvie, of Madison, Wis., James M. Big- 
staff, of.Mt. Sterling, Ky., and to myself, by 
one whom we believe to know the facts." An- 
other time he says "The statement was made by 
one who was often at my place." I have been 
desirous of having this man define his position 
and give his authority. I have had letters 
from friends advising that Anderson had given 
the name of his informer, and that it is Wm. 
Watson, until lately, my herdsman. In the 
process of dissection, I will give my first at- 
tention to Mr. Watson. 

Mr. Wm. Watson is the son of Mr. Hugh 
Watson, a prominent breeder of Angus cattle 
in Scotland, a man who stood high as a breeder 
and as a gentleman. His son, William, in- 
herited these qualities. He was placed at the 
best schools and with the best breeders of 
England and Scotland to fit him as a breeder. 
When educated he was placed on a farm and in 
a position where he could use the inherited and 
acquired advantages, and was achieving a sub- 
stantial success. He married and had two chil- 
dren. 

From Scotland he went to Australia, assum- 
ing large responsibilities. Here he remained 
a few years and we next find him in Oregon, 
in the employ of a Mr. Reid, a wealthy citizen 
of that country, with the management of a 
large stock of cattle and sheep. From here 
he went to California, where the American 
Mrs. Watson met him. Soon after this, we 
find him in Kansas, in charge of a large stock 
of Shorthorns and Berkshires. 

These positions were important ones and 
Mr. Watson was entirely competent to fill 
them. There was only one drawback — the 
curse of liquor had followed him through all 
his wanderings, through all his misfortunes, 
wrecking the hopes of his father, his family 



272 



H I S T E Y OF H E R E F E D CATTLE 



and his business. These, I understand, only in 
outline. My first knowledge of Mr. Watson 
was the receipt of the following letter : 

T. L. Miller. — Dear Sir : I always read with 
interest your articles regarding the Herefords, 
a breed T had a great deal to do with in Aus- 
tralia. They would live and grow fat where 
Shorthorns would starve, and at times we had 
journeys of 2,000 miles to drive to Melbourne 
market. The percentage of death among Short- 




ll'.UBFORDSHIRE. 
Mild for $7,0U0. 



horns used to be enormous on a long journey, 
while the Herefords used to go right through^ 
almost as fresh as when they started. 

T take the "North British Agriculturist."' I 
clip from the number of June 12th an account 
of the Bath and West of England Show, where 
you will see the Herefords came off gloriously 
victorious, winning the challenge cups over the 
Shorthorns in bulls and cows. They have beat 
the crack Shorthorns of the day. 

Wm. Watson. 

After this he met me at the Fat Stock Show 
in 1879, and made application for the position 
of herdsman. I engaged him. Soon reports 
came to me of his habits. I brouglit these re- 
ports to him ; he denied them. I said to him, 
"Whatever may have been your past, can I 
depend upon you for the future?" He assured 
me that T could. I tried him. His old habits 
proved too strong for him. I talked to him 



and he promised reformation. One who has 
a desire, might feel proud to lift such a man 
from the vice of intemperance to manhood. 

On my second visit to England, taking my 
wife with me, I put Mrs. Watson into my house 
as housekeeper, and him to take the waiting on 
the table, as carver, etc., hoping thus to keep a 
restraint upon him, coming three times a day to 
the table, but it lasted hardly ten days, liefore 
he got two of my most trusted young men into 
a. quarrel in a saloon, and this"was the last of 
restraint. 

On my return from England in Octol)er, 1 
said to Mr. Watson that hereafter I must ran 
my business without whiskey, and he assented. 
Our supervisors had refused licenses, and our 
saloons were closed. I earnestly hoped by this 
help to keep him from whiskey; but he would 
contriliute, and jiave the hands contrilnite, and 
buy by the gallon, and have it on the place; 
while assenting to my plans, and professing to 
work with me, he was really against me. In 
this unfortunate condition the Shorthorn con- 
spirators found him a' willing tool for their 
work. 

In the fall of 1878 one of the conspirators 
was an exhibitor of Shorthorns at Minneapolis. 
Col. W^ S. King had the management of this 
show and had taken special pains to get com- 
petent and reputable judges; among them were 
Geo. Murray, of Eacine, Wis., and also another 
man in whom Col. King had great confidence, 
who was a cattle buyer of Minneapolis, and 
another, a Shorthorn breeder of Iowa. The 
committee were entirely unknown to me, but 
their manner of judging in classes showed an 
intelligent knowledge of their business. I was 
willing to accept them for the sweepstakes 
judges. The Shorthorn conspirators objected, 
and Mr. Geo. Murray, one of the most rep- 
utable of Shorthorn breeders in the country 

was ruled off. A Mr. , then of M\\- 

waukee, later of Minneapolis, was named to 
fill his place. When the question was put to 
him whether he had any interest in Shorthorns, 
he replied "yes," he was a Shorthorn breeder. 
Can you judge impartially as between Short- 
horns and Herefords? No, did not think he 
could. He was excused. Another man who 
was not interested in Shorthorns was named ; 
he could judge fairly as l^etween Shortliorns 
and Herefords; had no interest or prejudice 
that would interfere with impartial judging. 
He was a horseman, and retained. The judges 
gave the first to the Shorthorns, the second to 
my Herefords. The first prize herd had no 
right to the premium, whether as compared 
with my herd or other Shorthorn herds. 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD C x\ T T L E 



273 



At. the Short liorn conspirator's special re- 
qiK'st, a Young Hcnl pri'iiiium was offered, and 
this special premium he had made special ar- 
rangements to take off; but it was too glaring 
and he failed to do so, and my young herd 
carried oir the luniors. The num who was ten- 
dered as a judge in the place of Mr. Murray, 
was a personal friend of the conspirator before 
and after judging. 

The Shorthorn exliilntor^; claimed that my 
winnings were due to greater skill in fitting, 
and if they could secure Mr. ^Morgan to the 
Sliorthorn interest, Miller and the Herefords 
would be nowhere, and the Shorthorns could 
regain their former position. They placed be- 
fore Mr. ]\Iorgan the l)eanties of Bow Park ; the 
respectable position that could lie his at that 
renowned institution. But Mr. Morgan could 
not be bought or seduced. 

But this partial failure at IMinneapolis did 
not discourage the conspirators; they arose to 
the surface again in 1880, at the Fat Stock 
Show at Chicago, and took advantage of the 
misfortune of my unfortunate herdsman. To 
make the fullest use of their tool they must 
attempt to prove their assertions as to my Here- 
fords by him. "Miller and his Herefords," they 
said, "owe their success over the Shorthorns to 
the skill with which Watson has fed them," and 
now their desire was to get Watson aw^ay, and 
have Miller where Delilah left Samson. They 
pictured to him the beauties of the blue grass 
pastures of Kentucky ; the high standing of the 
Shorthorn breeders in Kentucky — what a re- 
spectable standing he could have among them 
and in that society. "Break with Miller and 
the Herefords and your future is seenre," and 
unfortunately he sold himself for less than thir- 
tv pieces of silver, and no doubt regretfully 
wished to hang himself numy times before hi 
was done with them. 

I have charged that the Shorthorn men 
gained the position they hold by other means 
than those of merit. I present the course of 
the conspirators at Minneapolis in 1878, as an 
evidence. 

I present the facts of' the American Fat 
Stock Show at Chicago in 1880, and these jobs 
must attach to the exhibitors of Shorthorns at 
those sliows. These were but illustrations of 
the plan in which they ])icked up the best bul- 
locks and show cattle in the country and put 
them in the hands of the best feeders they could 
find, and liy nianijnilation of the judges come 
pr(>pared to beat the Herefords. 

.fudas took his pay in hand ; my unfortunate 
assistant, in a time of weakness, took his in 
promises, and as soon as through with him 



they spurned him, as did the purchasers of 
Judas. Benedict Arnold turned traitor for re- 
venge, and lived, cursed by those he betrayed 
and those who bought him. Happily, "Uncle 
Willie" (iyi9.")), as he is now affectionately 
called by his many friends in all breeds, saw 
the error of his way, his inherent excellent qual- 
ities again predominated, and returning to his 
"first love," he attached himself again to his 
father's breed — his first and true love, the 
Aberdeen-Angus cattle, and has achieved a last- 
ing reputation and position, worthy of his splen- 
did abilities, that outshine all error, and that 
make even this forced reference to earlier fol- 
lies repugnant to the writer. All's well, how- 
ever, that ends well. 

It has never been our aim to stand on the 
defensive. Like Mr. Sotbam, we ever ])ro])osc(l 
to make this Herefonl controversy, to the best 




MRS. SARAH EDWARDS, 
Of Wintercott. Herefordshire. 

of our ability, an aggressive one. The Short- 
horn advocates for a time adopted the policy of 
letting us alone, hoping that by the let-alone 
policy, the Hereford movement would die of 
itself. But in pushing their claims, they would 
say to stock journals, "If you permit this Here- 
ford question to be discussed you must look to 



274 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



them for support. We won't support any jour- 
nal that is not wholly in the interest of our 
breed." Their patronage was large, and it had 
the influence they desired. 

But the time came when they could not ig- 
nore the Hereford claims. They must meet 
the issue, and in their usual manner they did. 
Mr. Anderson, of Kentucky, opened the ball. 
On Nov. 1, 1880, he says:" "The effusions of 





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SI 2 24 A- >-^ 







T. EDWARDS, 
W'intercott, Herefordshire. 

T. L. Miller (the Hereford advocate) appearing 
from time to time in the agricultural press of 
the country, have puzzled me not a little to 
discover why a gentleman of his sense and evi- 
dent research, casting aside as if for naught 
the experience of the British farmer, and of the 
older states of our nation, could prefer the 
Herefords (with their heavy necks, heads, fore- 
quarters and light hind-quarters), to the Short- 
horn, with his well nigh universally admitted 
superiority for anv purpose whatever, for which 
the cattle kind is intended." 

The above is Mr. Anderson's opening of the 
fight ; and we wish the reader to note especially 
the date of this letter. It was written on the 
first day of November, 1880; and we wish to 



call attention to another fact: that the Fat 
Stock Show opened on the 11th to receive 
stock, and on the 15th to receive visitors. 
These dates you will fix clearly in your minds, 
and we wish Shorthorn breeders as well as 
Hereford breeders to take note of this — and 
not only Hereford and Shorthorn breeders, but 
farmers of England and this nation to note the 
fact, for we propose to make a case that had its 
origin at Side View Farm (One-side View, may 
we say), a case that will stamp Mr. Anderson as 
a conspirator. 

After they had got Mr. Watson away, and 
magnified his fancied grievances against me, 
the conspirators wrote severally to the "Kansas 
City Indicator" several communications, to 
which I replied as follows in the same paper, 
in a communication addressed to the editor: 

"I have your journal with Anderson's letters 
of 21st and 28th, and Watson's letter of 28th. 
i'assing Watson's letter with the statement that 
his remarks, as a whole and in detail, are false: 

"Mr. Anderson, after all his discharge of 
billingsgate, closes his letter of the 28th with 
the statement that the real question at issue is, 
tliat Miller's show cattle had Shorthorn dams 
and Shorthorn grandams, and with the denial 
I if there being any Shorthorn conspiracy. 

"I accept these issues. I gave in the April 
number of the 'Breeders' Live Stock Journal,' 
and 'National Live Stock Journal,' the 
lireeding of 'Conqueror's' dam; she was got by 
{'arson's Hereford bull 'Fairboy'; grandam got 
by Devon bull, nearly full blood ; great-grandam 
got by Hereford bull ; great-great-grandam, a 
red cow of unknown breeding. Will Mr. An- 
derson find the proportion of Shorthorn blood? 
(\ 19(5) 

"The age of 'Conqueror' was stated substan- 
tially correct. He was one of four grades, two- 
year-olds, one of which, 'Putnam,' was showed 
in 1879 as a yearling, and his age was stated by 
Mr. Morgan as one year old, July 12, 1879. He 
weighed at the 1879 show 1,152 pounds; and 
'Conqueror' was estimated at that time to 
weigh 1,000 pounds, and was the younger steer 
as my recollection serves me, and his weight 
would indicate this. 

" 'Kansas' was exhibited as a yearling on the 
record of his mouth; he had a yearling mouth, 
and did not change until December. This is 
all I know of him. The other two steers were 
from common cows. Mr. W. E. Campbell, of 
Caldwell, Kansas, and Mr. A. B. Matthews, of 
Kansas City, have both seen the cows and can 
testify as to how much of Shorthorn character 
they carry. Mr. Fielding W. Smith, of Wood- 
landville. Mo., has also seen tlie cows, and I 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



2?5 



shall be very glad to show tliem to anybody 
who will take the trouble to call on me. So 
much for Shorthorn dams and {irandams. 

"1 shall most cheerfully submit four of my 
two-year-old steers to the examination of an 
impartial committee in com])arison with other 
two-year-old steers of Shorthorn breed ex- 
liibited at Fat Stock Show of 1880, to deter- 
mine the age from the mouth of the several 
animals. 

"As to Mr. Anderson's denial of any con- 
spiracy; the circumstances at Minneapolis, 
Chicago, etc., interviews with Watson, the 
.statements they got from Watson, and the 
continued correspondence Anderson holds with 
Watson, are against him. When Mr. Watson 
left my employ, he immediately writes Ander- 
son that he can use his name for authority ; Mr. 
Anderson writes Watson to come to Side View; 
Mr. Watson goes. The circumstances certainly 
favor the conclusion that there was a con- 
spiracy, and ilr. Anderson is the victim of an 
unfortunate set of circumstances if the charge 
is not true. 

"The time has come when the Shorthorn ad- 
vocates must meet the issues on their merits, 
and not by suborning witnesses or forming 
rings by which to secure partial and partisan 
judges. Browbeating and bulldozing will not 
answer. Yours truly, 

"T. L. MiLLEK." 

We had taken np the past history of the 
Hereford and Shorthorn progress and followed 
it from 1742 when Mr. Tomkins commenced 
the improvement of Herefords, and Mr. 
Charles Colling the improvement of Short- 
horns, in about the year 1775, or a little earlier, 
to 1834, when Mr. Henry Berry and his asso- 
ciate breeders of Shorthorns, took the machin- 
ery of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful 
Knowledge, using Prof. Youatt as the author 
to write up the Shorthorns and write down the 
Herefords. Anyone that will follow the case 
cannot come to any other conclusion than that 
Shorthorn ascendency was secured and main- 
tained by a conspiracy of the Shorthorn breed- 
ers to advance their interest. 

We had jiroposed at first to continue and 
bring down this history another decade from 
1834 to 18.51, but a personal and persistent 
fight was forced upon us and we were obliged 
to take it up and leave our purpose of bringing 
up the past and take the present — not that we 
proposed to relin(|uish our plans, but simply 
to lay them aside temporarily. It was our pur- 
jiose to show the course that Shorthorn men 
have pursued to give their breed a prominence, 
that thev never were cntitl(>d to ; and no 



amount of abuse, or any number of conspira- 
tors or conspiracies could deter us from this 
object or change our purpose. 

It was said in some leading journal about 
this time, that if President Garfield should 
disturb the Star Route conspirators or eon- 
tractors, there would be a war waged on him 
and lies told about him that would surprise 
the public. We were prepared for something 
similar upon ourselves. We may have had men 
about us that could be bought; we may have 
had such men sent to us that we might take 
them into our employ, and they from that 
vantage point declare the lies that were used, 
but we proposed to weed out this class and 
employ men wholly in our interest, for we did 
not propose to employ men working wholly in 
the Shorthorn interest. At this time Mr. Wm. 
H. Sotham was writing and publishing in the 
"Drovers' .lournal" his experience with Short- 
horn men and their plans, and the means they 
used against him and the Herefords, and we 
called the attention of cattle breeders, stock- 
men and farmers to this series of articles, 
which we have preserved in this book, and to 
the fact that the "Drovers' Journal," beside 
these articles, was well worth the attention of 
every man interested in live stock matters for 
the general information on these subjects. 

With these statements, we gave our atten- 
tion to the issues forced upon us by the advo- 




PE COTE CiOSOl 2243. 
Bled by T. Edwards. (From a painting by Gauci.) 

cates of the Shorthorn interest; we quote again 
from the Anderson letter of jSTovember 1, 1880: 
"So far as his (IMiller's) assertions are con- 
cerned, about the control of agricultural soci- 
eties and the use of the press of both this coun- 
try and England and being engaged in dis- 
honorable practices to keep the Hereford down 
and the Shorthorn up. * * * There is an 
old saying that right will finally assert itself 



276 



HISTOEY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



and it is a very queer state of affairs if for all 
these long years, both in England and Amer- 
ica, wrong ideas have been prevailing." 

Again he says: "What authority has Mr. Mil- 
ler for saying that the Herefords will graze and 
feed at less cost than the Shorthorns?" 

Without quoting further, we inserted Mr. 
Anderson's letter in full in the "Breeders' 
Journal," that we might not be charged with 
garbling, and took up the fight as a business. 
When we charged a conspiracy, and the pur- 




HELIANTHUS (4841) 1549." 

Bred by the Earl of Southesk, Scotland. Weight at 4 

years, 3,000 pounds. (From a water-color etching.) 

chase of witnesses, Mr. Anderson felt it neces- 
sary to come out with a personal statement to 
his customers, explaining how he came to be 
in Chicago at all; it was merely accidental. 
Well! We will give Mr. Anderson the benefit 
of this explanation, which is as follows: 

andekson's apology to his customers. 

Side View, Montgomery Co., Ky., 

March 28, 1881. 
To the Cattle Breeders of the West : 

For some months a controversy has been 
pending concerning the respective merits of 
the Shorthorns and Herefords, which in an un- 
guarded moment I permitted my opponent to 
divert from the point at issue and change into 
a matter personal. 

As I have made and proved great charges 
concerning the breeding and ages of the Here- 
ford cattle belonging to one of the most prom- 
inent if unscrupulous (as it has been demon- 
strated) breeders of that tribe in America, if 
not in England; and as many of you are my 
personal acquaintances, it might not be amiss 
to point out the way; how, by accident, I dis- 
covered the frauds which my opponent was 
practicing upon the Illinois State Board of 



Agriculture and upon the credulity of the cat- 
tle breeders of America. 

Without any design whatever on the part of 
James M. Bigstaff (a fellow Shorthorn breeder 
and President of the Exchange Bank of Mt. 
Sterling, Ivy.) and myself to attend the Fat 
Stock Show, held in Chicago, we left Mt. Ster- 
ling on Nov. 17,- 1880, to attend Col. Robt. 
Holloway's sale of Shorthorns at Alexis, 111., on 
the 18th, and to be in Youngstown, Ohio, on 
the 20th, on private business matters. We at- 
tended Col. Holloway's sale on the 18th, and 
after the sale was over we were prevailed upon 
by friends to attend the Fat Stock Show on the 
19th, as by leaving Alexis at night we could 
be in Chicago by morning, and laying over 
there until the afternoon still be in Youngs- 
town by the 20th. Thus seeing we could ful- 
fill business engagements, we stopped over at 
Chicago a portion of the day on the 19th. By 
the merest accident, soon after our arrival we 
met Robt. B. Ogilvie, of Madison, Wis., a thor- 
ough gentleman, with all that implies, and an 
old friend, and we three attended the Fat 
Stock Show together. 

After examination of the live stock, I re- 
marked the patent dissimilarity between the 
quarter,?, flanks and necks of the said T. L. 
^Miller's cattle, as noticeable between the grade 
and pure-bred Herefords, and expressed a de- 
sire to know something of the breeding of the 
cattle. Mr. Ogilvie asked me if I knew Mr. 
Miller; I replied I did not, when he remarked, 
I'll introduce you to him. On looking around 
for Mr. Miller he did not see him, but re- 
marked, I see Mr. Watson, a very intelligent 
gentleman. Miller's superintendent, and per- 
haps he can tell you of their breeding. He 
then introduced me to Mr. Watson, when I 
immediately inquired if he could tell me the 
lireeding of certain cattle, pointing them out. 
He said he could, and immediately commenced 
with "Conqueror," he being nearest at the 
time, telling me of his two crosses by Hereford 
bulls, and that his grandam was a Shorthorn 
cow, a second of his premium steers being by a 
Hereford bull and out of a Shorthorn cow, and 
so on through the lot, describing each steer's 
breeding and what he had fed him. I asked 
only such questions in the natural way as any 
breeder would be likely to ask, concerning more 
than ordinary cattle he was examining or had 
under consideration. 

This was the first time I ever saw Mr. Wat- 
son and I never saw him again until this 
month of March, 1881. Bigstaff and I hurried 
off on our trip, that afternoon, and I never 
saw or spoke to a Shorthorn exhibitor on that 



IIISTOHY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



277 



day, except young I'otts, and with him only 
passed the civilities of accjiiaintanceship, nor 
did I think anything more siiecially concerning 
Miller's llercfords until 1 saw his puffs and 
hlowings in the press, claiming all in all for 
tlie TTercfords and ranting concerning the Fat 
Stock Show, when I reminded him of the 
Shorthorn relationship of his cattle, and that 
tile Shorthorns deserved part of the praise. 
(^1 lit?) On his denying my assertion of the 
Shorthorn relationshi]) of his cattle, I wrote 
for tlie first time in Fehruary to Mr. Watson, 
reminding him of the breeding of Miller's cat- 
tle as he had told me at the Fat Stock Show, 
and requesting him to put in black and white 
his statement concerning the breeding as made 
to me at the show in presence of Ogilvie and 
P>igstaff, as Miller had denied the same pub- 
licly. I sent his letter under cover to a promi- 
nent man in Chicago, for him to mail to 
Watson, believing if Mr. Miller should get Wat- 
sou's mail and see a letter post-marked Ken- 
tucky, he would not deliver it, as a man who 
will deny the breeding of his cattle is not above 
tampering with private letters. Mr. Watson 
answered this letter in due course of mail, re- 
affirming the Shorthorn breeding of Miller's 
cattle and added about their being exhibited 
under false age. 

This is the unvarnished statement of the 
whole affair and concerning which T. L. Millei 
cries bribery, conspiracy, etc. No man on earth 
ever heard or did I ever offer Mr. Watson one 
cent or any other amount of money, directh 
or indirectly, ])osition, emolument, or anythin, 
else, for the consideration that he would h\\ 
me this or that concerning T. L. Miller's oi 
any other man's cattle. Any other statement 
and from any other source whatever, that con- 
flicts with the above in regard to the way I 
got my information concerning the Shorthorn 
relationshi]) of the cattle whicli T. L. Miller. 
"Beecher," Will County, 111., exhibited at Chi- 
cago, last November, is a falsehood out of 
whole cloth and the retailer of it a slanderei 
jirr sc. Yours with respect, 

Tiios. CoRwiN Anderson. 

Tt will be noticed that his aim in this article 
is to show that he had no special thought of 
Miller or the Herefords, and that it was the 
merest accident that he should be at the show. 
Comparing this apology with his letter of 
Nov. 1, 1880, as follows: 

Side View, Ifontgomerv Co., Kv.. 

November 1, 1880. 
Editor Kansas Citv "Indicator": 

The effusions of T. L. Miller (the Hereford 
advocate). a])pearing from time to time in the 



agricultural press of the country, have puzzled 
me not a little to discover a reason why a 
gentleman of his sense and evident research, 
casting aside as for naught the experience of 
the British farmers and the farmers of the 
older states of our own nation, could prefer the 
Herefords (with their heavy necks, heads, fore- 
quarters, and light hind-quarters) to the Short- 
horn, with his well-nigh universally admitted 
superiority, for any purpose whatever for which 
the cattle kind is intended. 

His letter of the 19th in your issue of Octo- 
ber 28, just received, makes it perfectly clear, 
however, when he says, "There is not a promi- 
nent Shorthorn herd in America that can fur- 
nish milk enough to raise their own calves"; 
that it is a piece of ignorance on his part; or 
that his expression is father to his own wish, 
in these respects. To illustrate, Mt. Sterling, 
Ky., and within a radius of ten miles, probably 
contains a larger number of Shorthorns than 
any other equal extent of territory in America, 



J 




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1\^27A 





GEO. LEIGH, 
Aurora. Ul. 

yet so far from Mr. Miller's as.sertion being 
true, it is Just to the contrary; for there is not 
(inly not a nurse cow in any one of the herds, 
but the cows raise their own calves, and in 
many cases the cows have to be stripped after 
the calves have done nursing, from the fact 
that the calves cannot take all the milk. Can 
Mr. Miller say so much for his much puffed 



278 



HISTORY OF H E K E F K D C A T T L E 




C. W. COOK. 
Odebolt, Iowa. 



Hereford herd, or can he name a Shorthorn 
herd in Kentucky that does not raise its own 
calves with its own mothers? We think not, 
never having heard of such a herd in this state. 
I was well acquainted also with the Shorthorn 
herds of Jackson Co.unty, Mo., until two sea- 
sons jjast, and there, as here, the cows raise 
their own calves. I also visited a very promi- 
nent herd in Mr. Miller's own state (Illinois), 
this past season, 
and found the Win- 
slow Bros.' herd 
not only raising 
their own calves, 
liut also giving 
much milk in ex- 
cess, which was be- 
ing made up into 
i|uantities of butter 
iind cheese for mar- 
ket. I have also 
just returned from 
a visit to several 
of the prominent 
Shorthorn herds in 
( )hio, viz., those of 
Hills, Jones, An- 
drews, and others, 
and found the cows raising their calves and 
no assistants. Therefore, I repeat, without 
fear of successful contradiction, that Mr. 
Miller knows nothing of the prominent 
Shorthorn herds of the United States, when 
he says they don't give sufficient milk to 
raise their own calves, and- his assertion is 
father to his own wish, that such should be the 
case. Further, will Mr. Miller deny that the 
prominent dairies of England are composed of 
high-grade and pure-bred Shorthorn cows? 
If he does, the London "Agricultural Gazette" 
and "Journal" do not so report, and they are the 
standard stock papers of that country, so I am 
informed. I have understood this to be true 
also of the large dairies of New York. 

Again, when he says, if the claim was good 
for anything, it would not add anything to the 
value of the breed to go to the plains of Texas, 
he is in great error, and his assertion proves 
hii*!! anything but a practical cattleman, for on 
tlie plains and in Texas it is doubly necessary 
that an abundant flow of milk be kept up. 
There the calves depending entirely upon their 
mother's milk for a steady growth, if they are 
deprived of it, will be stunted, and all practical 
cattlemen know the result of cattle being 
stunted in the first eight months of their ex- 
istence. They never outgrow it, are that much 
longer in preparation for market and worth 
that much less when they go to market. 



So far as his assertions are concerned about 
"the control of the agricultural societies and 
the use of the press," if they mean anything, 
they mean that the agricultural societies and 
press of both this country and England, and, 
in short, everywhere (the objectionable features 
and uses to him being the same everywhere),, 
are engaged in dishonorable practices to keep 
the Hereford down and the Shorthorn up. 
There is an old saying that right will finally 
assert itself, yet from the time when interest 
was first felt in cattle kind, down to this date 
the Shorthorn has always, in the estimation of 
the very great majority of beef producers and 
butchers, been considered the superior of the' 
Herefords; and it is a very queer state of affairs, 
if, for all these long years, both in England 
and America, wrong ideas have been prevail- 
ing, that self-interest should not have so ad- 
justed itself in this respect as to be in accord 
with the opinions of Mr. Miller. 

Again, what authority has Mr. Miller for 
saying that the Hereford will graze and feed 
at less cost than the Shorthorn, and when fed 
be worth more money? 

If this be true, why has not the English 
farmer more generally adopted the Hereford 
than the Shorthorn? The Hereford first ar- 
rived in America about the year 1816 or 1817 (a 
very few years behind the Shorthorn), and why 
have not the farmers in the older states where 
the Hereford was first taken adopted him instead 
of the Shorthorn ? Certainly, Mr. Miller will not 
allege that the agricultural press and societies 
have kept the intelligent Yankee farmer, as well 
as the British farmer, in the dark all these long 
years. Could it be possible that our prejudices, 
fed from these sources, have been cheating our 
pockets for near a century in America, and 
from the time the memory of man runneth not, 
in Queen Victoria's realms also? From the 
best light I can get the Hereford is very near, 
if not quite as old a tribe of distinct bred cat- 
tle as the Shorthorn in England — there they 
have been bred, grown and marketed side by 
side for over a century, both originally confined 
to small districts, but now the Shorthorn habi- 
tation is co-extensive with British agriculture 
and the Herefords more restricted than ever, 
growing less yearly on account of the steady 
encroachments of the former on his native ter- 
ritory. The English farmer is given the credit, 
I believe, of being the best farmer in the world, 
his yearly rental often exceeding in price the 
cost for fee simple of our improved western 
farms. W\\y is it, if Mr. Miller's assertion be 
true, al)out the Hereford feeding and grazing 
for less than the Shorthorn, and wjien fed 
worth more money, that the English farmer 



HISTORY OF H E K E F R D CATTLE 



279 



himself, generally, don't grow the Hereford 
in!<tead of the Shorthorn? It can't be now, 
after growing them for a century, they could 
not have increased the Hereford numbers so 
as to supply themselves if they agreed with 
Mr. Jliller. Nor can it be the high price of the 
Hereford per head that the English farmer, in 
the ordinary circumstances, cannot purchase 
them, for no one knows better than Mr. Miller 
that there never has been a time, nor is it so 
now, that the best class of thoroughbred Here- 
ford cows in England cannot be bought for as 
little money per head as the lowest classes of 
thoroughbred Shorthorn cows. Could it be pos- 
sible that the English farmer does not know his 
own interest? He is certainly a great booby if 
Mr. Miller's assertion be true. I said before 
that the Hereford put in his first appearance 
in America in about the _years 1816 and 
1817, and his arrival was but a few years be- 
hind the Shorthorn in this country. If they 
are such excellent cattle, what has become of 
all the descendants of all these early importa- 
tions? Strange the farmers of the older states, 
whore the Herefords were first imported, did 
not discover their usefulness as best beef and 
cheap consumers and perpetuate the tribe by 
breeding them. The Shorthorn cow imported 
"Young Mary" alone, that arrived in America 
seventeen years after the first importation of 
Herefords, has more known descendants than 
the descendants of all the early imported 
Herefords put together. The truth is, the 
Herefords were weighed in the balance and 
found wanting by the farmers of the older 
states; they sold them off to the butcher for 
what they would bring as a bad investment, 
and this is the reason that there are not more 
descendants of the early importations of 
Herefords in the older states where they were 
first imported. Just as after a thorough trial 
by the farmers in the new states they will be 
dis]iosed of. The idea of such an animal as 
the Hereford, heavily developed (as a tribe) in 
the head, neck and fore-shoulders (the waste 
and least expensive portions of a beef) im- 
proving to any great extent our American 
scrubs and Texans (that are also heavily de- 
veloped in the same parts) for any purpose 
whatever except work-oxen and freighters 
(these two classes need liig heads and necks), 
seems extremely ridiculous, and no one knows 
better than Mr. Miller that the average farmer 
in England, as in our older states, has dis- 
carded them, and that the new states will also 
after a thorough trial. Wherefore the bold 
assertions derogatory of the Shorthorn — a 
beast unequaled and without a rival by the 



united testimony of intelligent farmers in 
every clime, for any purpose whatever for 
which the race is adapted and intended ? 

Very truly, Tuos. C. Anderson. 

We here give Mr. Anderson the benefit of his 
opening and closing arguments. We have no 
right to expect, when we follow the trail of 
this class of men, that they will stop at any 
means to obtain their ends; and we shall bring 
the best record of Shorthorn men to show that 
this has been their practice. It is possible that 
Mr. Anderson was not familiar with our for- 
mer herdsman's habits when he made the com- 
pact with him: it may be that he did not know 
him when he took him into his family. It 
may be that Mr. Anderson sent him away from 
Side View because he proved less important 
as a witness than estimated; it may be that 
taking Watson into his family had a bad look 
to it and gave support to the charge of a con- 
spiracy. It is immaterial why Mr. Watson left 
Side View, Kentucky. He left and knew not 
where he was going. Mr. Anderson probably 
regretted that he took this job in hand, and he 
had to make other apologies in his attempt to 
make the public believe that he intended an 
honest fight. 

The following appeared in the "National Live 
Stock Journal," June, 1881 : 
Editor "National Live Stt)ck Journal" : 

Mr. A. Matthews calls attention to my steers 
"Will" and "General," as they appear in the 
reports of the Fat Stock Show. He says the 
"General" was entered as dropped Nov. 28, 
1877, and on Nov. 10, 1879, he would have 
only lacked eighteen days of being two years 
old; and instead of being 612 days old he was 
712; and as he weighed 1,397 pounds, instead 
of gaining 2.28 pounds per day, he gained 1.96. 

I find by reference to the Society's report, 
page 37, Hereford steers one and under two 
years, his age is given as 712 days, gain 
1.96. I find on page 96 of the same report. 
Lot 6, Sweepstakes ring, he is reported as 712 
days old, gain 1.96. Mr. Matthews ought, with 
his large practice in detail statistics, to have 
become proficient in figures, and he should be 
very careful not to put forward false or care- 
less statements. 

Again he says: Mr. Miller entered two 
steers at the show, Nov. 15, 1880, "Alexander" 
and "Will." Now if "Will" of 1880 was the 
same "Will" as that of 1879, he was entered 
at the show of 1880, Nov. 15, "Will," age 1,018 
days, weight 1,650 pounds, gain per day 1.62 
pounds, and if "Will" was 1,018 days old on 
Nov. 15, 1880, he would have been, 370 days 
before that, Nov. 10, 1879, 648 days old, in- 



280 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



stead of 500; and as he weighed at the show 
of 1879, 1,114 pounds, his gain per day would 
be 1.71 pounds, instead of 2.23. 

This steer was entered in 1879 as dropped 
June 28, 1878, and his age as 500 days is cor- 
rectly stated, and his gain per day 2.23, is 
correct. On reference to the copies of my en- 
tries as made in 1880, his age is stated as June 
28, 1878, and his age at the show of 1880 
should have been 870 days old, gain per day 
1.90, instead of l.fJ-?, as credited to him. 1 




CANE IS PRESENTED TO THE MAKER OF PRO- 
TESTED ENTRIES. 

have written to Secretary S. D. Fisher to re- 
fer to my entries, and advise me whether the 
error was his in computing days, or mine in 
giving age. He was not a winning steer, and 
the discrepancy had not been noticed by me. 

Again: "Mr. Miller won half his premiums 
with grade Herefords, and it will be time 
enough to discuss the question as to which cross 
will produce the best animal when Mr. Miller- 
shows grade Herefords with no Shorthorn 
blood." (^ 199) 

In your April number I gave the breeding 
of "Conqueror," showing seven-eighths Here- 
ford and one-eighth Devon and native. Will 
that be satisfactory to Mr. Matthews? But 
then what matters it, if by putting the Here- 
ford on the Shorthorn we can make the top 
steer? AVhy not accept the issue, and take the 
Herefords and improve the Shorthorns? They 
must take the Hereford or Scot. They tried 
the Scot in the time of Colling, Bates and 
Booth ; and the Kentuckians used the Here- 
fords in 1817 to 1830. The Collings, Bates 
and Booth Scotch cross has not availed to fix 
character and quality, but the breed has 
gone back to the original loose, coarse animal. 
Collings found that with the old Teeswater 
cattle there v»'as no certainty as to the kind of 
produce he would get from them, and only 
by using Scots could he succeed. 

It is a well established fact that for sixty 



years the "Seventeens" have held their position 
as the best of all the Shorthorn families, and 
they owe it to the Henry Clay Herefords; and 
if Shorthorn breeders will get over their bull- 
headedness, and recognize the fact that the 
Herefords can improve any breed they are put 
upon, and accept and adopt them to improve 
their long-legged, wheezing and consumptive 
animals, they will be on the road to success. 

I wish it to be distinctly understood that I 
do not claim greater weight for the Herefords 
over the Shorthorns, but I do claim equal 
weight. I claim better quality of beef, and 
I claim greater economy in cost of making 
beef on a Hereford carcass than on a Short- 
horn; and the difference in favor of the Here- 
ford is fully 25 per cent. 

I am trying to get some bullocks from the 
Texas cow by a Hereford bull, and I want these 
to fit and show against thoroughbred and 
grade Shorthorns, and propose to win with 
them; and I am seriously considering whether 
I will show again until I get them. 

The Shorthorn breeders have overrun the- 
country with their breed, until almost , every 
scrub in the country is tainted with the blood. 
And if a good winning steer got by a Hereford 
bull be brought forward, they will swear that 
he owes his quality to the moiety of Shorthorn 
blood; and if they have not reputation to go 
before the community on their own statement, 
they will hire someone to come forward and 
swear for them that the dam or grandam is a 
Shorthorn cow. 

To show the standing of the Shorthorns of 
to-day, I have before me the report of Gales- 
burg sales as follows: First day, 42 head, 
average $85; second day, 50 head, average $80; 
third day, 11 head, average $127; 103 head 
averaged $90. Thornton's circular shows a 
steady shrinkage of the average price of 
Shorthorns in England. 

Your correspondents are becoming quite in- 
terested in this Shorthorn-Hereford contro- 
versy. There was a time when they thought 
if left alone it would die of itself. " Mr. Mat- 
thews is a wordy man and when he has been 
fighting in the family I have not taken much 
interest in him except to enjoy the family quar- 
rel, from the old standpoint that "when rogues 
fall out, honest men get their diies." 

He has been a long time in picking up mv 
letter of 1878. He says, "This is pretty tall 
blowing, that he (Miller) intends the report 
shall go to the mountains, spread over the 
plains, over the ocean, and come back again 
with greater force and volume." 

This was one of the prophecies that I had 



TI 1 8 T li Y 1-^ 1 1 E R 1<: F ( ) II 1 ) C A T ThE 



281 



forgotten, at least it was out of my iniiid. 
You will recoguizo, ]\ir. Editor, from your 
present standpoint, tliat it was something more 
than ))low-ing. Wliat must have seemed such 
at that time sounds very much, as we read it 
now, as though the Ilerel'ord enthusiast of 
1878 had a truer ennception of the future than 
others were willing to credit him with, and I 
am rather surprised that Mr. Matthews should 
bring this prophecy to light, for it has literally 
been fulfilled. 

I will not undertake to burden your column.s 
with following Mr. Matthews through all his 
figures to prove that the Herefords are good for 
nothing. It is sufficient that showing against 
the Shorthorn cattle with Shorthorn judges, 
they have won a position within less than ten 
years that the people of the mountains, the 
plains, Australia and England recognize. The 
press quote their popularity in Australia. 
"Bells' Weekly Messenger," of London, rec- 
ognizes their importance, and gives a special 
place to reporting their progress. You are 
obliged to .say, that from a very general in- 
quiry, the cattle men of the plains prefer the 
Herefords, and I can assure you that this 
preference has come back with a force and 
volume that is satisfactory; and to you, who 
know the influences that have had to be met, 
it must be somewhat of a surprise that the 
Herefords have met this success. 

I will notice Mr. Matthews in his quotations 
of my advice to Shorthorn breeders of Ken- 
tucky. He says : "Mr. Miller advises the Ken- 
tuckians to cross their Shorthorns with the 
Herefords, saying they will make more money. 
He must have forgotten that the Kentuckians 
tried the Herefords over sixty years, and seem 
to want no more of them." 

Does Mr. Matthews know that the best cattle 
of Kentucky to-day are descendants of those 
Herefords of sixty years ago? And that to- 
day, according to Kentucky Anderson, the 
mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee are full 
of these in-and-in bred white faces, that the 
Shorthorns, after sixty years, cannot breed out? 

Mr. Matthews follows myadvertisemenf, where 
I quote niv premiums taken in ISTovember last at 
tlie Fat 'stock Show. If the Hereford, by 
crossing on other cattle, whether Shorthorns 
or natives, makes a better steer or better bul- 
lock, then, are they a better beef breed? The 
thoroughbred is not now, and never will be 
used for the butcher's block. They are of 
value as they are capable of improving the 
Shorthorns and common or native cattle of 
the country, and this, the Hereford will al- 
ways do, and, so far as I am concerned, it will 
be mv aim to show this; and this I well un- 



derstood when 1 advised the Shorthorn breed- 
ers to put the Hereford bull on their thorough- 
bred Shorthorn cows, and I wish the Shorthorn 
breeders to give us the credit of doing it. They 
have had the country for sixty years, and if 
we can take the produce of their bulls and 
make Ix'tter Inilloeks let them recognize the 
fact, and instead of still forcing their breed 
u]ion the stockmen of the country accept the 
issue and verdict. 

Mr. Matthews then quotes the "Mark Lane 
Express." I recognize this journal as one of 
the fairest and ablest published in England or 
America — in fact, I eon.sider it stands nearly 
alone in its impartial statement of facts. At 
the same time I may differ with them on their 
facts. They claim that the Shorthorn as a 
combined meat and milk producing machine, 
has no equal and no superiors. Now, while I 
have great respect for the expressed convic- 
tions of the "Mark Lane Express," I consider 
their claim of superiority as a combined ma- 
chine, while second rate as beef and second 
rate as milk, is not tenable. It can only be so 
from the fact that they have some other Short- 
horn than what we know in this country; and 
even then I cannot see how two second-class 
things can make a first class, and the time 
will come when they will abandon this posi- 
tion. 

The old Y^orkshire cow is a good milker, and 
if taken out of the dairy at an early age — say 
at six or seven years old — she will go into beef 
at a reasonable cost, and have performed good 
service as a milker. This I can readily be- 
lieve, but then the old Y'orkshire cow is a very 
different beast from the Shorthorn, crossed up, 
and bred in-and-in with Duke bulls. But even 
this cow, if kept in the dairy until ten years 
old, would.be fed at a, loss with very rare ex- 
ceptions. I have put questions to the "Mark 
Lane Express" touching the merits of cattle 
and I am under many obligations to them for 
the courtesy, and, I may say, patience, with 
which they have met my queries. When 
younger than now one of the things I gave 
myself a good deal of trouble about, was to get 
a carriage that would make me a convenient 
combined machine for business and family use. 
I never succeeded. I could get along with 
the thing when I had one child — even when I 
had two I could manage — but beyond that I 
could not combine. The farmer wants an ani- 
mal that will produce beef and milk at the 
least cost and at the greatest value. I don't 
expect the "Mark Lane Express" to say any- 
thing against its convictions, or a Shorthorn 
breeder to say anything against his interest. 
Very truly yours, T. L. Millek. 



282 



HISTOKY OF HEREFOKD CATTLE 



CHAPTER XXYI. 

Ten Eventful Years; a Constant Request for Tests — 1871 to 1881 



(If 199) A history of Hereford cattle would 
not be complete without giving some account 
of that with which they had to contend in the 
way agricultural journals met their claims of 
excellence, as a beef breed. 

It will also be of interest, we think, to read 
what efforts were made by Hereford breeders 
to have a Fat Stock Show founded, where a 
public exhibition and competition between the 
breeds, would demonstrate in an authoritative 
way what the Herefords could do in America. 

The following statement of the case, as 
made by us, in 1881, will give some facts of 
interest, and also records of value: 

It is now nearly ten years since I engaged 
in the breeding of Hereford cattle, and from 
the time I commenced until within the last 
eighteen months, the Shorthorn men have 
predicted the collapse of the Hereford boom, 
nor have these predictions come from Short- 
horn men only; but also from my friends; 
and those that wished me well, have feared the 
verification of their prophecies. I ask the pa- 
tience of my friends when I review somewhat 
the course that has been pursued during these 
ten years; and of the Hereford breeders I ask 
forbearance if it should seem that I give to 
myself a too prominent place in this move- 
ment. I here make the statement that the 
general success of the movement and the suc- 
cess of my associate breeders, has a place in 
my plans and aims, hardly second to the suc- 
cess of my individual interest; and for this 
reason there is room for all that may engage 
in this business during the present generation 
of breeders. 

In following the movements of the Here- 
fords for these ten years, I shall be as brief as 
possible. The breeders then engaged in the 
raising of Hereford cattle resided mainly in 
Loraine Co., Ohio, and vicinity; and of these 
Mr. John Humphries, of Elyria, deserves spe- 
cial mention. Mr. H. was an Englishman, 
and, in connection with Mr. Thos. Aston 
(fl 200), another Englishman, brought over 



from England two cows and two bulls. The 
importation was a joint one, and the animals 
were named as follows: "John Bull" (3885) 
464; "Curly" (801) 14; the cows were, "Vic- 
toria" 18(), and "Duchess" 15, of the American 
Hereford Record. "Victoria" was bred by Mr. 
Turner, The Noke, Leominster. "John Bull" 
was bred by Mr. E. Price, of Pembridge, and 
"Curly" by Mr. T. Roberts, of Ivingtonbury. 
Other bulls were imported by Messrs. Hum- 
phries and Aston, and still others by Mr. F. 
W. Stone, of Canada. 

It would be an interesting study to take the 
American Hereford Record and follow the 
produce of these two cows. It would be a sur- 
prise, even to those who are familiar with 
breeding, to find what a large proportion of 
Herefords in the country, previous to late im- 
portations, trace to these two cows. 

The importation referred to was made in 
1851 — thirty years ago. Mr. Aston had sold 
out and returned to England before I entered 
on the breeding of Herefords. Mr. Humphries 
was still breeding, though in feeble health, and 
continued a breeder until about two years ago, 
when he died, having at the time of his death 
a very choice herd, though not a large one. 

This stock had been bred by Messrs. Hum- 
phries and Aston, and others to whom they 
made sales, but no record, beyond the private 
one of the breeders, had been kept. My pur- 
chases were made from both branches. I 
should state that in dividing the stock, the 
bull "John Bull" 4(54, and the cow "Victoria" 
went to Mr. Humphries; "Curly" and "Duch- 
ess" to Mr. Aston. 

I had the stock that I bought recorded in the 
English Hereford Herd Book, and this led to 
the recording by other breeders. When I com- 
menced the breeding of Herefords, the Hon. 
John Merryman was a breeder in Maryland, 
the foundation of his herd being from Mr. 
Sotham's importations. Jlr. F. W. Stone, of 
Canada, had the largest herd then in America 
or Canada. There were individuals from the 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



283 




C. S. COOK, 

Of the firm of C. W. Cook . 

Sons, Odebolt, la. 



SothaiJi importation soatturcd over the country. 
Jlr. I'lii'l])?, of Pontiac, Mich., had a few from 
this im])ortation, and the Crape estate, at Flint, 
Mich., had one of tlie hirgest herds in the 
states. Mr. Shaw, of Chautauqua, New York, 
had a lierd. In Maine tliere were several Ijreed- 
ers, among tiiem Mr. II. C. Burleigh. As my 
stock came to a marketable age, I took them to 
Colorado and Texas for a market. The Colo- 
rado sales resulted in giving the breed char- 
acter and prestige, 
and whenever the 
bulls were used they 
;^;ivc satisfaction. I 
ihink it was the 
fall of 1875 that 
Iwn car loads of 
uiade Hereford 
steers were sent 
from Denver, Col., 
to Buffalo, N. Y., 
direct from the 
range, and sold for 
7 cents, bringing 
nearly $80 per head. 
These were three- 
year-old steers. 

It has been found 
that the Herefords 
came through the winters on the plains in better 
condition than steers of any other breed. This, 
I think it is safe to say, is becoming nearly or 
quite the universal opinion wherever they are 
known. The expense of taking bulls to west- 
ern or southwestern centers w-as heavy, but there 
seemed no other way to reach a trial of their 
capacity for the range. It proved successful 
and I have no doubt it was the shortest road 
to success. The growing popularity of the 
breed provoked opposition mainly and almost 
exclusively from the Shorthorn men; and in 
those days I had an idea that it was the 
province of live stock and agricultural Journals 
to bring forth the facts in regard to the merits 
of ditTerent breeds of cattle. I was then so 
modest and unassuming that I questioned the 
propriety of a breeder setting fortli the merits 
of his breed. It would of necessity be termed 
partisan and one-sided. Under this feeling, in 
a business letter to Geo. W. Rust, the then edi- 
tor and proprietor of the "National Live Stock 
Journal," I said : "I recognize the leading posi- 
tion of the Shorthorn interests in this country; 
but for some time it has seemed to me that as a 
journalist you ought to find something to say 
in the interest of other breeds. As a breeder 
of Herefords, and believing them to l)e the best 
breed for this country, 1 am somewhat sur- 



prised that they do not command the attention 
of the stock journals and agricultural so- 
cieties." 

I then quoted facts in reference to their 
standing. Mr. Rust commented on this as fol- 
lows: 

"It is not for us to urge the introduction of 
either Shorthorn or Herefords, or Devons or 
Galloways, to the exclusion of each other in the 
beef producing districts. If there has been 
more matter published in relation to Short- 
horns than other breeds have been favored 
with, it has been because the gentlemen han- 
dling this description of cattle and their grades 
are relating their experience more generally, 
and because they have succeeded in awakening 
a public interest in these cattle, which is con- 
tinually bringing out all sorts of inquiry about 
them from all parts of the country. Of course 
this makes considerable of the Shorthorns in 
the papers. But how about Herefords? We 
know, of course, that they are a highly merito- 
rious race of cattle; that their owners regard 
them as even rivals of the Shorthorns; but 
when a person asks a question about some mat- 
ter connected with Shorthorns it is not proper 
for us to suggest that perhaps Herefords will 
answer his purpose as well or better. If we 
would direct his attention to them by some 
statement as to their merits, where are we to 
obtain the facts? Are we to say that during 
fifty-two years in the early history of the 
Smithfield Cattle Club the Herefords won 18.5 
premiums against 82 won by the Shorthorns? 
The statement is a good one for Herefords, if 
true, but will scarcely bear repetition on all 
occasions, and at best is only one item in the 
long statements which American farmers re- 
quire to convince them of the superiority of 
any race of cattle over their commonest scrubs. 
Who are raising Hereford steers? What do 
they weigh at different ages? How early do 
they mature for the market? Where are they 
sold? What did they bring? What did scrubs 
do on the same keep? and what did they weigh, 
and what did they sell for on the same day? 
and what was the net diflference in profit result- 
ing from the use of Herefords? 

"Then, again, if some person, by some sort 
of accident, acquires a suspicion that the Here- 
fords are a superior race of cattle, and has 
a disposition to buy them, where can he get 
animals of strictly reliable blood, and where 
is the public record by which he can satisfy 
himself of the authenticity of the pedigree 
offered him? If he Iniys Jerseys, he can find 
two herd books published in this country. If 



284 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



he buys Sliorthorns he can find three. If he 
buys Devons he can find one." 

In the "National Live Stock Journal" for 
Jul_y, 1876, i)p. 303-4, the following letter -ap- 
pears : 

"To the Editor of the 'Journal" : In the last 
number of the 'Journal' you ask : If we would 
direct (an inquirer's) attention to them (the 
Herefords) by some statement as to their 
merits, where are we to obtain the facts? 
* * * What do they weigh at different 
ages? How early do they mature for the 
market ? 

"It is proper to suppose that a journal of 
the standing of the 'National Live Stock Jour- 
nal' would have all standard published reports 
of the breeding and fattening of cattle and 
other stock; and if Mr. Jones comes into the 
office and inquires as to the merits of a par- 
ticular breed of cattle, or writes to the office 
for such information, you could refer to re- 
ports, and give such information, if such in- 
formation existed. 

"In this country the Herefords have not 
such a record published and compiled as would 
be conclusive and full as to their merits; but 
still there is a fair record in this country. But, 
to go to England, there is a record, classified, 
compiled and jiublished, in the proceedings of 
the Smithfield C'lub, which is perhaps the most 
complete and trustworthy that exists so far as 
it goes. And in quoting from this report I will 
assume, first, that the merits of a beef-produc- 
ing breed must be judged by what it can pro- 
duce as a beef steer, and the record it can 
show, for its oxen and steers, is the true test by 
which the trial shall be made. 

"I might go outside of the record of the 
Smithfield Club, to the record of the other 
English societies, where the Herefords have 
been shown as breeding stock — and at some 
other time perhaps I may; l)ut at this time I 
will confine myself to the Smithfield report of 
the cattle mainly: 

"The first show of this Society was held in 
1799. The records of that year were incom- 
plete, but from other sources I learn that Mr. 
Westcar took the first premium with a Here- 
ford ox. In 1800 the Herefords took 4 
premiums; 1801-2 the record is incomplete; 
1803 the Herefords took 4 premiums; 1804 the 
record is incomplete; 1805 the Herefords took 
2 premiums; 1806 the record is incomplete; 
1807-8-9 the Herefords took 7 premiums. Up 
to this date it does not appear that the Short- 
horn oxen or steers took a premium. With- 
out going into detail for each year, the record 
up to 1851 shows that: The Hereford oxen and 



steers took 185 premiums; the Shorthorn oxen 
and steers took 82 premiums; and to 1857 the 
Hereford oxen and steers took 9 gold medals; 
Shorthorn oxen and steers 10, and from 1857 
to 1867, Shorthorn oxen and steers took 15 
gold medals; Hereford oxen and steers 11. 

"In 1869 Herefords and Shorthorns, as to 
weights, compared as follows: 

Herefords. Shorthorns. 
Under 2 yrs. 6 mos. 

weighed 1,781 lbs. 1,648 lbs. 

Under 3 vrs. 3 mos. 

weighed ' 1,936 lbs. . 1,976 lbs. 

Over 3 yrs. 3 mos. 

weighed 2,228 lbs. 2,200 lbs. 

showing the Herefords in two classes heavier 
than Shorthorns. 

"In the year 1875 the two breeds compared 
as to weights as follows: 

Under 2 yrs. 6 mos. . . 1,485 lbs. 1,565 lbs. 
Under 3 vrs. 3 mos. . . 2.036 lbs. 1,982 lbs. 

Over 3 yrs. 3 mos 2,169 lbs. 2,281 lbs. 

Extra .stock 2,524 lbs. 2,290 lbs. 

"The three heaviest cattle shown in 1875 
were : 

1st, Hereford, weighing . . 2,624 lbs. 

2d, Shorthorn, weighing 2.444 lbs. 

3d, Hereford, weighing 2,420 lbs. 

"I have confined myself to figures showing 
the comparison between the two breeds of 
Herefords and Shorthorns. It is with con- 
siderable labor that I have brought together 
the information that is scattered over the coun- 
try in reference to Hereford cattle. As a 
breeder I have no right to present my claims 
to the public without something in the way of 
facts to back my claims. Because I can see 
so much in the Herefords I have no right to 
complain because others don't see as I do. I 
am surprised at times, but I am so sure of the 
time coming I can afford to wait. 

"As early as April, 1873, I offered to help 
make a record for the Herefords and Short- 
horns, as compared with each other, as beef 
cattle, through the 'Journal.' I have in several 
ways repeated the proposition from time to 
time since. I now repeat the offer made in the 
'Journal' of April, 1873. over the signature of 
Miller & Powell. It is true that there is no 
Hereford Herd Book published in this country, 
but there is one published in England, and that 
there may be a copy accessible to inquiries at 
the live stock headquarters in this country I 
have ordered from the publisher a set sent to the 
'National Live Stock Journal,' of Chicago, 111. 

"A prominent breeder of Shorthorns, while 
admitting to me that the Herefords were bet- 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



285 




ter grazers than tlio Shorthorns, says: 'You 
had better take the Shorthorns.' 'Why?' 'Be- 
cause it is easier to <j;o with the current than 
ajrainst it.' 1 have lieard quite hitely of this 
same breeder paying quite fancy prices for 
Shorthorns. 

"There is one point I should be ghid to call 
your attention to, and that is the make-up of 
coniniittees at our fairs. In England the Here- 
ford men claim that they have been unfairly 
beaten on sweepstakes and champion prizes, 
and for years have 
sought to remedy 
this, especially at 
the Smithfield." Mr. 
T. Duckham, a 
jirominent H e r e- 
ford breeder, and 
publisher of the 
English Hereford 
Herd Book, suc- 
ceeded in securing 
the passage of the 
following resolu- 
tion, to-wit: 

"'Resolved, that 
the judges of each 
breed select an ani- 
mal that, in their 
Judgment, was suit- 
able for competition for the champion prize. 

" 'Resolved, -that each committee should 
depute one of their own members to act as 
judge on the champion prize or regard.' 

"These resolutions were passed at the meet- 
ing in February, 1876, and will be in operation 
at the next December meeting. If the same 
or similar resolutions should be passed by the 
managers of our State Societies, it would be a 
good stride towards an equitable award on 
sweepstakes premium. — T. L. M." 

, Editor's Remarks: "Of course our corre- 
spondent will understand that our question as 
to what Hereford cattle weigh at different 
ages was not made because of our inability to 
'refer to statements upon this point in the agri- 
cultural text books of the day. It was made 
for no other purpose than to indicate the ab- 
sence of statements covering individual experi- 
ence with these cattle from day to day, month 
to month, and year to year. It is these state- 
ments, and the average results indicated by 
tbcm. that carry conviction to the public mind, 
rather than results achieved by different breed- 
ers in fitting animals for show. The general 
public places the highest estimate upon what 
can be accomplished where cattle are handled 



A, E. COOK. 

Of the firm of C. W. Cook & 

Sons, Odebolt, la. 



in a practical manner for a practical purpose — 
i. e., when fed tor beef by practical men with 
the sole object in view of producing the best 
beef in the largest quantity, with the greatest 
economy. But sensible people require some- 
thing more than the assurance that, in feed- 
ing animals for show where they are forced 
by all the arts and appliances the owner can 
command, this one or that one was made 
to object a greater degree of obesity than an- 
other. The statements of farmers handling 
these cattle, supplying daily almost fresh de- 
tails concerning their merits, is what is wanted. 
We desire to indicate that the gentlemen hand- 
ling Herefords were, in this respect, neglect- 
ing the true interests of their cattle. 

"As to the proposed test of the comparative 
merits of Shorthorns and Herefords as feeding 
cattle, we fear our correspondent will never be 
gratified by receiving an acceptance of his 
proposition. No person has such an interest 
in Shorthorns, considered with reference to the 
aggregate interest, as will justify him in engag- 
ing in this matter. Besides, the reputation of 
Shorthorns is so well established that there 
would be but little for them to gain in such a 
contest. Our correspondent, however, has two 
courses open to him, either of which seems to 
us much more consistent and in every way 
preferable to a 'challenge' for a public and 
formal test. First, he can go on quietly and 
feed some Hereford steers for market, and 
when they are sold let the public know what 
they weighed, what they sold tor, etc., and just 
how they were handled. If handled as ordi- 
nary prudent farmers handle their steers, rea- 
sonable weights will go much further towards 
increasing the reputation of the cattle than a 
few hundred pounds of extra weight secured by 
possible forcing or pampering. It would be 
desirable to have a statement of this sort, ac- 
companied by a statement of what good native 
steers did alongside of them, for the contest is 
not so much between Herefords and Short- 
horns as between them and the common, infe- 
rior stock of the country. If the general 
farmer can be made to understand that there 
is sufficient difference between Herefords and 
natives to justify him in the expense of se- 
curing Hereford crosses, the future of the Here- 
fords will be bright enough, no matter what 
that of the Shorthorns may be. The second 
course open to our correspondent, if he is 
really desirous of a test between Herefords and 
Shorthorns, is to buy some Shorthorns and feed 
them alongside of the Herefords, and then pub- 
lish the results. If there should be any Short- 
horn breeder dissatisfied with the result, he 



286 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



could buy some Hercfords and repeat the ex- 
periment." 

Since the above was in type the following 
has been received from the same gentleman: 

"I hand you below the weight of Hereford 
fat cattle shown at tlie Smithfield shows 1S71, 

1872, 1873 : 

1871. Under 2 yrs. fi mos 1,631 

1871. Under 3 'vrs. 3 mos 1,856 

1871. Over 3 vrs. 3 mos 2,307 

1873. Under 2' yrs. 6 mos 1,634 

1873. Under 3 yrs. 3 mos 1,858 

1872. Over 3 yrs. 3 mos 2,137 

"I have not the weight classified as to ages 
for 1873, but the average weight of all ages 
was 1,934 lbs. T also hand you the average 
winght of tlie fat cattle shown at Bingley Hall, 
Birmingham, in 1873, and these weights in- 
clude all ages, as at Smithfield, the same year, 
1,950 lbs. 

"The heaviest steer shown at Smithfield in 
1871 weighed 2,360 lbs.; in 1872, 2,626 lbs.; 
in 1873, 2,538 lbs. The heaviest steer showed 
at Birmingham in 1873 weighed 2,536 lbs." 

And again, from the "National Live Stock 
Journal" for August, 1876, pp. 349-50: 

"To the Editor of the 'Journal': Referring 
to your remarks on figures given you on Here- 
fords in the July number, I had been led to 
suppose that the results at the Smithfield show 
were tlie most authoritative of any in existence, 
and T had supposed tliat you had lieon living in 
hopes of seeing just such a show and list in this 
country. 

"Now, it is true that in this country the 
Herefords have not made such a record as will 
be conclusive as to their merits, at least so far 
as the number is concerned, but I hand you 
herewith a memorandum which will, perhaps, 
show what they could do. But is not the Eng- 
lish record pertinent and to the point? As 
to comparing Herefords with Shorthorns and 
natives, you have established the fact to the 
satisfaction of the majority of thinking, prac- 
tical men, that they are better than the na- 
tives, that the Shorthorn bull on the native 
cow is an improvement, that the cross produces 
a better beef steer, which by grazing and 
feeding will make a better quality and greater 
quantity at a less cost. I assume this to lie true 
and therefore do not care to travel that ground 
over again. But taking that point as settled, I 
now assume and claim that the Herefords make 
a better cross, in the hands of a ]3ractical man 
for a practical purpose, with the sole object in 
view of producing the best beef in the largest 
quantity with the greatest economy. 



'"I believe it is admitted by the best informed 
cattle breeders that the Herefords are more 
hardy and better grazers than the Shorthorns. 
In referring to the Shorthorns I have no wish 
to depreciate their merits. I admit them. They 
are a fine race of cattle, and the breeders of 
these cattle are entitled to much credit for 
what they have done. There is perhaps no in- 
terest in which the farmer has received so large 
a benefit as has come from the efforts of the 
Shorthorn breeder ; but is not this step one that 
leads to something higher and better? 

"Now you are aware, perhaps better than 
anyone else, that in England — a very small 
country compared with this — they have sev. 
eral breeds of cattle which are pre-eminently 
the best for the district in which they are bred, 
and if this be true of England may not the 
supposition lie raised that it may be true of this 
country? For seventy-five years the Herefords 
and Shorthorns have been the leading beef 
breeds in England. There are several large 
shows held where the breeding stock has been 
shown, but at Smithfield the test has been on 
the fat animal, and the Hereford as a fat ox or 
steer has occupied a leading position, and I 
assume that it is between these two breeds in 
this country that the choice must be made. 

"Rev. J. R. Smythies, a prominent Hereford 
breeder in England, made the following offer 
through the 'Mark Lane Express,' in 1849. He 
offered to show four Hereford steers, whose 
ages should not exceed two years and three 
months, and four whose age should not exceed 
one year and three months, at the next Smith- 
field show, in December, against eight Short- 
horns and eight Devons of similar ages, for a 
sweepstakes of one hundred sovereigns for each 
lot, with this stipulation, that each lot shall 
have been bred by one man, and that they shall 
have lain at grass at least four months that 
summer, without having had anything but 
what they got there. He says : 

" 'But this is not all. I am willing to test 
their hardiness as a breeding stock, as well as 
their feeding properties. In order to do this, 
I propose to turn my two-year-old heifer, which 
gained the first prize at Norwich, into a pasture 
with the two-year-old Shorthorn and two-year- 
old Devon heifer which obtained the first prize 
in tlicir respective classes, and let them remain 
there until the next nu'eting of the Royal Agri- 
cultural Society, at Exeter, next Jul}', giving 
them nothing but what they can get, except 
a little hay from the 5th of November till the 
5th of May, the heifers being shown for sweep- 
stakes of 100 sovereigns each.' 

"In February, 1849, Mr. Smythies made, in 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



287 



the 'Mark Lane Express,' the following offer: 
'To placp four Hereford calves on the first of 
May next in the hands of any respectable 
grazier in the Midland Counties, against four 
Shorthorn and four Devon calves, no calf to 
be more than four months old on that day. 
The twelve calves to lie turned to grass to- 
gether, and to have nothing but grass until 
the 20th of October following, and then to be 
put in stalls and fed as the grazier thinks 
proper — but the food to be weighed to each lot 
— until the following May, when they shall be 



number belonging to any two breeders of 
Shorthorns or Devons, in any part of Great 
Britain, for 100 sovereigns. 

"These offers were made but never accepted. 
As to my offer made through the 'Journal,' you 
fear that I will never be gratified by its ac- 
ceptance: 

'' 'No one person has such an interest in 
Shorthorns considered with reference to the 
aggregate interest as will justify him in en- 
gaging in this matter. Besides, the reputation 
of Shorthorns is so well established that there 




JOHN PRICE (COURT HOUSE, PEMBRIDGE, ENG.). 
The Elkington cup and other valuable prizes won by this veteran breeder. 



again turned to grass, and have nothing but 
what they can get there until the 1st of Octo- 
ber; then to be again taken into stalls, and the 
food given them weighed as before. The whole 
to be shown as extra stock at the Smithfield 
show, and after the show to be slaughtered, 
the four lieasts which pay the best to be the 
winners.' Mr. S. also offered to show 100 Here- 
ford beasts, the jiroperty of Sir Francis Law- 
ley, on the first of January, 1849, and the same 
number, which were the property of Mr. Aston, 
Lynch Court, on the same day, against an equal 



will be little for them to gain in such a con- 
test.' 

"This is perhaps true. But is there in this 
country such a record for the Shorthorns as 
will show that they are entitled to the position 
they claim? The different branches of the 
family claim the merit is in them only. I go 
on quietly, as you suggest, and feed some 
Hereford steers, but such tests have very little 
value. 

"The test which I propose will have a value, 
not only to the breeders themselves, but to the 



288 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



stock interests of the world, and it is a test 
that may he made at a protit to the breeders. 
On the ground proposed it must be an even 
test, but I am not writing for the acceptance 
of the offer. Herefords are being used in Colo- 
rado and Texas. In due time the steers will 
come forward. Your closing proposition is for 
me to 'buy Shorthorns and feed them by the 
side of my Herefords. as a test, and if there 
should be any Shorthorn breeder dissatisfied 
with the result, he could buy Herefords and 
repeat the experiment.' 

"It would not be conclusive. The Smith- 
field record complete comes the nearest to be- 
ing authoritative of any that has come under 
my notice. It is coinplete in giving the live 
weight of animals, but fails in this, that it 
does not give the cost at which these weights 
were obtained. 

"Judge Downing, of Denver, Colorado, in- 
formed me that he sold six Hereford grade 
steers in June that were four years old in the 
spring, weighing 1.800 pounds each, and 
twelve others and three heifers weighMg a frac- 
tion under 1,500 pounds each, non^ ::of them 
having been fed at all, having made their 
weights on grass alone, except they may have 
been fed some hay sometimes in storms. 

"Mr. Church, who lives near Denver, has 
turned off thirty or forty grade Hereford 
steers for several years past, at three years 
old, averaging about 1,250 pounds each, that 
have never been fed anything but what they 
themselves haA'e taken from the range, and one 
lot of these steers was sold in Buffalo at 7 cents 
a pound. 

"Judge P. P. Wilcox, now of Denver, says 
that his cattle ran with a herd in which there 
was a grade Hereford bull, and from him he 
had several white-faced calves, and that these 
white-faced calves were as good at two years 
old as his others at three. 

"Another prominent stockman in southern 
Colorado says: 'The Hereford cross on my na- 
tive cattle has been very satisfactory. They 
stand the winter well, take on flesh rapidly, and 
are really the best cattle for these ranches that 
I have ever had anything to do with.' 

"Mr. J. Humphries, of P^lyria, Ohio, one of 
the oldest and most careful breeders of Here- 
fords in this country, turned off at different 
times to the butchers cows and steers, and 
generally at Christmas, the cattle having run 
to grass through the season and fed grain for 
only two or three months as follows: 

Seven cows, average weight 1,271 lbs. 

Two-year-old steers, average weight. 1,425 lbs. 
Three-year-old steers, average weight 1,91-1 lbs. 



"Such figures are good as far as they go, but 
they are not conclusive or satisfactory. The 
Hereford breeders in England have repeatedly 
sought to make a test, where the feed and care 
should be the same, but have failed to obtain. 
Now in England the Shorthorns do not stand 
so much in the lead of all other breeds as to 
numbers as they do in this country. At the 
meeting of the Bath and West of England So- 
ciety, held in June, at Hereford, there were 
shown of Herefords, 160; of Shorthorns, 55; 
all other breeds, 88. Without going into detail 
as to the show you will permit me to speak of 
'Tredegar' (5077) 2478, a Hereford bull that 
has quite a noted record in the show ring. He 
was shown here in the class of bull, cow and off- 
spring. It is said of him he was first shown at 
Newport when a calf, and took first in his 
class; also at Bath and West of England, at 
Bristol, first; ne.xt at the Bedford meeting of 
the Royal, he won similar honors, and first at 
Dudley, of the Worcestershire meeting; first 
and special at Ledbury; first at Croydon of 
Bath and West of England's Society, and the 
champion prize as the best bull of any breed; 
beating that well known prize winner in the 
Shorthorn classes, 'Sir Ingram ;' then at the 
Taunton meeting of the Royal, when he re- 
peated his previous performance, and at Here- 
ford, in the show following, took the special 
prize offered for best Hereford bull; at the 
Worcestershire Society he also won first prize 
for the best bull in the yard. 

"In the cows it says of 'Rosalind,' unques- 
tionably the most beautiful cow in the yard: 
'She was five years old, having bred three 
heifer calves, having from a calf stood first 
and second in her class, and won some seven 
special and champion prizes in the time.' 

"It does seem to me that the breeders of two 
such breeds of cattle would find a pleasure in 
testing their merits on a scale that would at- 
tract the attention of the world, not only of 
stockmen, but of all men. And the breeders 
of America should feel that they were the men, 
and that America was the ground on which to 
make the test, and this Centennial year, the 
year to inaugurate and perfect the plan which 
should test the merits of these cattle. I will 
not undertake to mark out a plan, biit will you 
not give your influence for such a trial? One 
hundred thousand dollars capital would be suf- 
ficient — perhaps $50,000 would answer — per- 
haps less. Such a test would he worth more 
than all the awards that will be made within 
the next ninety days — or all the awards that 
have been made for the last twenty years by all 
the agricultural societies in the LTnited States. 



11 1 S T K Y OF II E K r<: F R D C A T T L E 



289 



It is well to do as our fathers have clone, if 
they have done right. It is easier to go with 
the current, hut it is sometimes wiser to go 
against it. Won't you try it on this question? 

''There is now open to the world, and 
brought into the world, a stock country the 
like of which was never known before. It 
changes or will change the whole system of 
breeding and the question must and will be 
solved as to the breed of cattle best suited 
for it. 

"Beechcr, 111. T. L. Millek." 

Editor's remarks : "We have no interest in 
any breed of cattle, and the claim of superi- 
ority over the Shorthorn advanced by our cor- 
respondent on behalf of the Hereford, is a mat- 
ter which we shall leave Shorthorn breeders to 
discuss or refute for themselves. We place but 
a slight estimate upon the results of the Smith- 
field show, for the reason that the animals are 
fed for the prize without any reference to cost 
— they are stuffed and pampered, and brought 
into the very highest state of obesity, regard- 
less of e.xpense. The result in a contest of this 
kind depends quite as much upon the .judg- 
ment of the feeder as upon the merit of the 
animal. What is wanted is information about 
cattle handled in a practical sort of way, with 
a practical end in view; such, for instance, as 
information about what general farmers can 
do and are doing with their stock. We should 
l)e ]ileased to see such a show as that of the 
Snuthtield Club inaugurated in this country. 
Not because we believe it would settle any dif- 
ference of opinion among rival breeders as to 
whether the stock of one was superior to that 
of the other, but because it would demonstrate 
to the general farmers of the country that there 
is a substantial benefit to be derived from the 
use of improved blood. AVith the big steers 
on exhibition weighed by judges, and all the 
details of their keep published, the general 
farmers, realizing the impossibility of ap- 
proaching such results with their native stock. 
Mould be encouraged to secure better blood. 
Of course there are other respects in which 
it would be of advantage, but the above is the 
])rincipal benefit to be derived from it. 

"We know nothing of the challenges to 
which our correspondent refers — why they 
were made or why they were not accepted. 
We beg to say, however, that in general chal- 
leugos are so worded as to seem fair on their 
face, while coupled with 'oondilions' which no 
one can accept. We do not know that the chal-- 
lenges of ^Ir. S. were coupled with such con- 
ditions as they were only briefly stated; but the 
otfer to feed 200 beasts might not have found 



a man in England able to comply with the con- 
ditions. 

"And, after all, a trial or two establishes 
nothing. It is only from a large number of 
trials, embracing all manner of conditions, that 
a reliable conclusion can be formed. These ex- 
periments would, of course, be interesting, al- 
though, considered by themselves, not very im- 
portant. We should be pleased to see the ex- 
|)eriment made, as we are always pleased to 
have the details of carefully considered feed- 
ing operations, no matter what kind of animals 
are the subjects. 

"We think there is a public record in this 
country showing the Shorthorn to be entitled 
to the high estimation in which it is held. It 
is the record made up by the general farmers 
of the country who have made a practical test 
of the merits of the breed for practical pur- 
poses. So far the test has simply been between 
the Shorthorn and the scrub. There is no pub- 
lic estimate as to the relative value of Short- 
horns and Herefords, because the public have 
not suflficient experience with the Herefords to 
form such an estimate. 

"Our own opinion is that it is not so much 
a question as to which breed is superior to the 
other in itself, as to which breed will make the 
most valuable cross upon our inferior native 
stock, and for the present there should be a 
market for all the bulls of both breeds, with- 
out engendering any rivalry between them. 

"The details given by our correspondent, of 
Hereford beeves, etc., are full of interest. We 
shall cheerfully publish more of the same sort 
as received. If facts enough of this sort are 
furnished, the general farmers of the country 
will form an opinion that will not be very far 
out of the way. We jjresume the grades to 
which our correspondent refers in speaking of 
Colorado were from the Texan stock on the 
dam's side; or at any rate from dams not fully 
up to the standard of our native cattle. And 
it should also be remembered that Colorado 
pastures are somewhat lighter than our own." 

Again, in the "National Live Stock Journal" 
for September, 1876: 

"Editor of the 'Journal': 'And, after all, 
a trial or two establishes nothing. It is only 
from a large number of trials, embracing all 
manner of conditions, that a reliable opinion 
can be formed. These experiments would, of 
course, be interesting, although, considered by 
themselves, not very important.' 

"Thus the 'Journal' says, on page 350, in 
reference to the offers made by Mr. Smythies 
to te.st the Herefords against the Shorthorns 
and Devons. What were these offers: 



290 



11 J S T O R Y F II E R E FORD (' A T T L E 



"First, to take four Hereford steers whose 
ages should not exceed 2 years 3 months, and 

"Second, four Hereford steers whose ages 
should not exceed 1 year 3 months, against 
eight Shorthorns and eight Devons of similar 
ages. 

"Third, to take his two-year-old Hereford 
heifer, which won first at the Royal in her 
class, and turn her into pasture with a two- 
year-old Shorthorn and a two-year-old Devon, 
first winners in their class at the same meeting. 

"Fourth, to place four Hereford calves witli 
four Shorthorn and four Devon calves, no calf 
to be more than four months old. 

"Fifth, to show 200 Ilerefords— 100 from 




STEVEN ROBINSON. 
Lynhales, Herefordshire. 

each of two herds named — against an equal 
number of Shorthorns or Devons belonging to 
any two breeders in any part of Great Britain. 
"Now, what would these tests have shown if 
the offers had been accepted? The first and 
second would have shown what breed would 
have made the largest gains in a given time 
under the same circumstances. The third 
would have shown the hardihood of the differ- 
ent breeds, by taking animals that had been 
forced to large weights by high feed and turn- 
ing them frorn it to roughing it. The fifth 



would have shown what the difTeront breed? 
had done under ordinary breeding care. Would 
not, then, these tests have shown the merits of 
the different breeds under consideration, so far 
as the wants of England were concerned — that 
is, would it not have been made a prima facie 
case? 

"It is of no special interest to the public 
what my opinion may or may not be, unless I 
can sliow a reason for the faith that is in me. 
And a test is not conclusive unless made with 
the conditions alike. Mr. Jones, a good, care- 
ful breeder and feeder, will raise a half dozen 
good grade Hereford steers, and carry to large 
weights. Mr. Smith, with less care, will raise 
a half dozen Shorthorn steers and make light 
weights. Now, these tests made in the usual 
iiianner by practical men, don't prove any- 
tliing. Is there, then, any better way to test 
tlie merits of the different breeds of cattle, 
than to place each other precisely under the 
same circumstances? To the large majority of 
steer breeders it does not matter what Mr. 
Pickrell can make thoroughbred Shorthorn 
steers weigh, or what Mr. Miller can make a 
thoroughbred Hereford steer weigh, and while 
it is important that Mr. Pickrell and Mr. Miller 
may know what their respective breeds can do, 
still it is very much more important for the 
public to know what the grades are doing and 
can do. 

"With this in view we made the following 
proposition through your 'Journal' in April, 
1873, to-wit: 

" 'It is our belief that the Herefords are pre- 
eminently that stock that must be used for im- 
|)roving the large herds of Colorado, Kansas and 
Texas. As beef producers in this country, at 
least, the choice will lay between the Shorthorns 
and Herefords. In the hands of some men it 
will be tlie one, and in those of others the other; 
and that this question may have a fair solution 
we hereby propose to any Shorthorn breeder to 
select 100 or 200 cows in this state, one-half 
to be served by a Hereford and the other half 
by a Shorthorn bull and the progeny to be cared 
for alike and shown at our State Fair at two, 
three and four years old. We propose further 
to select in Colorado, Kansas or Texas, from 
500 to 2,000 cows, and serve one-half with 
Hereford and the other half with Shorthorn 
bulls, and their progeny to be kept alike, and a 
portion to be brought to our State Fair at two, 
three and four years old each year. The choice 
as to how the stock shall be kept we will give 
the Shorthorn breeders. All to be kept alike; 
and the experiment may be for one or five 
years. 



HISTO It V 



HEREFORD CATTLE 



291 



"'We believe that beyond the interest the 
experiment will have to the Hereford and 
.Shorthorn breeders, it will result in a very great 
good to the entire stock interest of the coun- 
try. Signed, Millek & Powell, 

" 'Beeeher, 111." " 

"Now it is important, in a test that shall be 
of value, to make the basis alike, that is, to start 
with the same grade of cowS: — and that the cir- 
cumstances of their keeping should be alike. 
The proposition of Miller & Powell above stated 
would secure this. If Mr. Jones starts with a 
high-grade cow and Mr. Smith with a scrub, 
the test is not equal ; now if no one breeder has 
an interest sufficient to test this, then let our 
own State Society offer premiums for fat steers 
without regard to breed or grade, that will in- 
duce the farmers of the state to compete for 
such premiums. If any of the breeds that are 
before the public are worth anything to the 
public, it consists in their value to produce a 
Ijtef steer. Let our societies make a class for 
fat cattle, say: Under 2 yrs. 6 mos. ; over 3 
yrs. G mos., and under 3 yrs. 3 mos. ; over 
3 yrs. 3 mos., and under 4 yrs.; over 4 yrs.; 
for fat cows that have bred at least four calves, 
and offer a first, second and third on each. 
There will be fifteen prizes, and the farmers to 
compete for — say as follows : 

Steer 2 yrs. 6 mos $100, $00, $40 

Steer 3 vrs. 3 mos $100, $60, $40 

Steer 4 vrs $100, $60, $40 

Steer over 4 vrs $100, $60, $40 

Fat cow . . . .' $100, $60, $40 

"There is only $1,000, and it is my belief 
that it will create more interest than all that is 
now done. I would suggest these ])remiums as 
only preliminary to something better, and let 
tlie committee to pass on such awards be 
butchers of experience. 

"It is undoubtedly the large and main fea- 
ture of the fairs — the cattle interest. It is 
desirable to have pure breeding, and of such 
quality as to carry character to their produce, 
and it is desirable to follow this produce and 
see what it is like. In 1874 the Illinois State 
Society paid in premiums to : 

Beef breeds, thoroughbreds $1,860 

Fat cattle 30 

Dairy breeds 745 

Dairy products Nothing 

Horses 3,.500 

"I have never been in the management of a 
State Fair, and have no doubt that there are 
reasons that govern the action of the manase- 



ment that I cannot see, but from my standpoint 
there would seem to be occasion for a change. 
Especially does this seem to be true in the prod- 
uct of the beef and dairy breeds of cattle. 

"T. L. Miller." 

The foregoing is substantially the case as 
made in 1876. The Shorthorn interest had 
been accepted and the cattle interest of the 
country adjusted to it; and it was not surpris- 
ing that the introduction of another breed that 
promised to interfere with and supersede that 
interest should meet with the most determined 
and bitter opposition. This had been manifest 
from 1839, when Mr. Sotham introduced the 
Herefords into this country at Albany, N. Y. 
With the press and agricultural societies in 
their control, it was not strange that they should 
be intolerant, and that a personal fight should 
be made upon anyone who should press the 
claims of a rival breed. With the agricultural 
societies under their management, there was 
no difficulty in arranging their judges and ob- 
taining the awards. This year (1876) the Illi- 
nois State Board passed on the comparative 
merits of the Herefords and Shorthorns, five 
prominent Shorthorn breeders being judges. 

When the agricultural journals permitted the 
discussion as to the merits of the Herefords as 
compared with Shorthorns, it was not surpris- 
ing that prominent Shorthorn breeders should 
say, "If you propose to make a Hereford jour- 
nal of your paper, let the Hereford men support 
it." It was not surprising that a leading 
breeder and writer should say: "The question 
of merit as to which is the best beef breed, has 
already been decided, and should not be opened 
or discussed." It was not surprising that un- 
der such a i^ressure, journalists that had been 
led to believe the claims of Shorthorn breeders 
valid, should be influenced, and that while they 
did not refuse articles that were intended to un- 
settle old beliefs, found it difficult to find room 
for them in their papers. That a journal in the 
interest of the Hereford movement should seem 
a necessity, was not strange. The necessity ex- 
isting, the "Breeders' Live Stock Journal" was 
established and put upon its merits, and it met 
the necessity — not under any false statements, 
but declaring in unmistakable terms its belief 
in the merits of the Hereford breed of cattle, 
and its determination to press those claims, and 
show why they were the best. The establish- 
ment of this journal was not without the ex- 
penditure of a large amount of labor and 
money. As the movement that placed the Here- 
fords on the plains, and put them at work where 
they could show their produce, had proved a 
large success and hastened the acceptance of the 



HISTOEY OP HEREFORD CATTLE 



breed, so the establishment, of the "Breeders' 
Live Stock Journal" cemented and systematized 
the work. 

These movements were my individual and 
personal enterprises, that brought returns with 
them to a certain extent; but they contributed 
largely to the success of all breeders. They 
were a necessity of the hour, and the results 
have shown the wisdom of the course pursued. 
The publishing of the American Hereford Rec- 
ord and the compilation of the work was under- 
taken and carried through by individual enter- 
prise, without any other aid than the payment 
of a fee for entries that was thought sufficient. 

In thus reviewing the course of the Herefords 
during an eventful decade we cannot but feel 
that the means used to advance their interest 
was fairly well selected, and the results reason- 
ably successful. That the movement was a 
success there is no doubt. This is evidenced by 
the character of the men called together at the 
Hereford Convention ; and another evidence is 
found in the manner in which the Herefords 
withstood the severe weather of the range win- 
ters, which put the seal of permanency upon 
the movement. Each step that was taken was 
not in the beaten track of others, but on the 
contrary, was independent of the movements of 
other breeders. 

The placing of the cattle on the plains was 
done in the confident belief that they would 
stand the test to which they would be subjected, 
and subsequent events have fully proved this. 
The establishing of a journal for the advocacy 
of a single interest, and without a general guar- 
antee fund, is another experiment that is usu- 
ally deemed hazardous, and one that usually 
demands a guarantee from the interest which 
it is to support, 1mt the "Journal" became a suc- 
cess without such guarantee. These ends were 
obtained without other aid than the merit in- 
herent in the movement. 

Another step was taken outside of the ordi- 
nary methods pursued by breeders, and that was 
the establishment of an exhibition at the heart 
of this great cattle interest. A commodious 
building was erected in which to place speci- 
mens of the breed, and there submit them to the 
judgment of the practical cattlemen of the 
world. The seeming necessity of such a move- 
ment lay in the fact that the Shorthorn men 
had for half 'a century been organizing state, 
district and county agricultural societies, and 
under these inaugurating fairs or live stock 
shows, and under the management of these 



Shorthorn judges we must exhibit our stock, or, 
if we were not satisfied, stay away. 

There was then a necessity for some means 
by which we could place our stock before the 
world of cattle breeders. We could have organ- 
ized an opposition agricultural society, but that 
would have required large expense, and would 
have been subject to the same drawbacks as po- 
litical reforms, to-wit, all the dead-beats and 
old fair hacks would have jumped on, and we 
should have been little better off, and another 
reform would soon have been needed. We es- 
tablished a simple machine, and it was intended 
it should be made the best exhibit possible, and 
be at the same time self-sustaining. We be- 
lieve it the best move that could liave been 
made. We thus brought our own cattle before 
practical men. We had hoped — had, indeed, 
expected — that the managers of the Union 
Stock Yards would have gladly extended to the 
Herefords accommodations for such an exhibit; 
but they thought it would be establishing a l)ad 
precedent, and declined to do so. We were thus 
obliged to take the most convenient location we 
could get, using for a time such accommodation 
as could be obtained, till the wisdom of the 
movement was fullv established. 

This could hardly be termed a new move- 
ment, as John B. Sherman had had such an 
exhibit of Shorthorns for several years, select- 
ing the best specimens of that breed to place 
in his show stable. Thus the two breeds were 
brought together in comparison — and this not 
for one week, but for fifty-two weeks in the 
year. The move was undoubtedly a good one, 
and gave the world of cattlemen an opportunity 
to examine the Herefords and compare their 
merits with specimens of Shorthorns that they 
were familiar with and can find in the yards. 
At the close of the year 1881 we summed up 
the situation as follows: 

"Reviewing the past, what is the outlook for 
the future? The standing of the Herefords 
is fully established, and the inquiry for them 
was never so urgent as now. 

"The breeders of cross-bred and grade bulls 
have sold almost their last animal, and if there 
are any left they are in out-of-the-way places. 
The number of thoroughbreds in the hands of 
breeders is not large, and there would have been 
none but for the fact of a late opening of 
spring and consequent late demand for grades. 
Tn conclusion, the past has been reasonably 
satisfactory, and the outlook for the future is 
very encouraging." 



niSTOUY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



293 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

Quality in Beef; Sound Constitution Indispensable to it 



It is a fact in history that never, in the 
years that preceded these Fat Stock Sliows 
in America, had the attention of the public and 
the interest of the people been so aroused in 
the matter of good beef, and good and profita- 
ble beef cattle, as at this time. 

Many, from not having examined into the 
subject, thought good beef was a matter of 
chance and not the result of earnest and in- 
telligent effort. The Chicago "Tribune" had 
the following to say, in regard to the interest 
awakened and the quality of beef: 

'"That the Shorthorn and Hereford forces 
are being marshalled, thoroughly equipped, 
and better disciplined and prepared than ever 
before for the great conflict of the breeds, 
none will deny, who have the least interest in 
this commendable strife between the two rival 
breeds of beef cattle. The general public in 
both continents will never duly appreciate the 
great debt they owe the Chicago Fat Stock 
Show, for the improvement from year to year 
in the quality of beef that will be exported 
from this market as the result of the emulation 
in this normal school for the feeder and 
breeder. 

"And as other countries must compete in the 
I']uropean markets with this class of goods, they 
must keep pace with our feeders or retire from 
the trade. 

"The Shorthorn breeders have not, until 
very recently, manifested much interest in this 
contest, which has already created a boom in 
the Hereford market, that has at least seriously 
alarmed the thousands of breeders of this fa- 
vorite class of cattle, who have deceived them- 
selves with the impression that they had 
nothing to fear from the handful of whitefaced 
breeders, or their cattle. 

"The number, influence, wealth, unparalleled 
energy and enthusiasm Hereford advocates 
have developed so suddenly startled the stock 
breeders of the country, who have been com- 
]ielled to recognize the excellence of the com- 
paratively new candidate for public favor. The 



previous indifference of the Shorthorn men as 
to the possibility of their defeat is in striking 
contrast with their evident anxiety and the 
earnest efforts being made at this date to spare 
no pains or expense to regain their former 
prestige. 

"The grade Hereford steer Conqueror, the 
Hereford cow Jennie (^ 201), and other re- 
markably fine whitefaced bullocks exhibited 
during the past four years at the Fat Stock 
Show, have opened the eyes of the most 
prejudiced friends of Shorthorn cattle as to the 
necessity of preparing a much better class of 
cattle for future shows, or gracefully confess 
a most humiliating defeat." 

The butchering and comparing of the dif- 
ferent animals at the Fat Stock Shows brought 
intelligent reports from able men and made it 
a matter of record; and brought to the people's 
notice that fat could be marbled between the 
lean; and that it was not necessary to eat blue, 
tough meat, if only the right quality of steers 
were fed. 

It was our great aim and effort to show that 
Herefords possess the requisite qualities for a 
beef animal, in perfection. 

Prof. Tanner of England, in a lecture de- 
livered before the Marshbrook Improvement 
Society, on the economical production of meat, 
states the case as follows: 

"We find that the old breeds of cattle, the 
unimproved breeds of cattle, differed very ma- 
terially from those of recent date. In other 
words, we have modified by careful breeding 
the powers of the animals we raise upon our 
farms for doing this work. The difference to 
be observed in the local breeds, which were 
existing in different parts of the country forty 
or fifty years ago, were largely traceable to the 
local influences of soil and climate. Since then 
we have adopted improved and more valuable 
breeds, and they have succeeded just in propor- 
tion as they have been introduced into districts 
that suit their peculiarities of character. For 
instance, the produce of the Highlands of Scot- 



294 



HISTORY OF HEEEFOED CATTLE 



land were of a hardy character, aud as we come 
afterwards to other exposed lands, we have the 
Welsh and the Hereford breeds of stock; then, 
going into more temperate districts we have the 
Shorthorns, and the more tender but nimble 
Devons, and so on, to the Channel Islands 
stock. But the point is this : that all this pro- 
duce obtain their points of character by being 
brought up under certain conditions to which 
they had adapted themselves, but when the 
Shorthorns were sent to Scotland they were un- 
suited to the districts and they perished." 

Prof. Tanner goes on to say: "Now those 
habits, those points of character, which were 
existing in the dif- 
ferent local breeds, 
were modified to 
meet the require- 
ments of more ad- 
vanced farming. 
For instance, t h e 
old system of al- 
lowing the cattle to 
remain until they 
were four, five, or 
six years old, be- 
fore they were 
completed for the 
butcher, gradually 
gave place to a 
much more rapid 
habit of growth, a 
growth which was 
more prompt and speedy throughout its en- 
tire range, and the result was that the ani- 
mal was finished and ready for the butcher 
at a much earlier date. The tendency of 
late years has, therefore, been in the direc- 
tion of so altering the character of the animals 
we breed that they become quiet and docile, 
quite disposed to take their food without rest- 
lessness, and also to make good use of the food 
which is supplied to them. I know perfectly 
well that you can appreciate the weakness of 
the character, both of the Shorthorn stock and 
also many of our delicate breeds of sheep, es- 
pecially the Leicester. And how has this dif- 
ference arisen? Largely because the alteration 
made, in the case of the Shorthorn cattle, in 
early years had been carried to an extent which 
has probably- — but I will not say probably — 
which really, has resulted in their obtaining a 
weaker constitutional character. Where breed- 
ers of Hereford cattle have excelled is this, 
they have kept their cattle under more natural 
conditions, and as a consequence by keeping 
their cattle under those conditions, they have 
submitted to what the Shorthorn breeder would 




SIR JAMES RANKIN. M. F 
Hryngwin, Herefordsbire. 



say was a sacrifice, during this time, because 
they have not made their stock into such rajiid 
fat-formers as the Shorthorn caftle are. 

"If you breed cattle so that they have small, 
feeble, or inii)erfect lungs, you must not expose 
such cattle to rough, cold weather with the 
same impunity that you might if they had 
larger lungs and were fully capable of main- 
taining the warmth of the body. If you give 
them small lungs they become iinable to main- 
tain that warmth under conditions of consider- 
able difficulty, and having reduced the power 
of the lungs, if you do expose it to inclement 
weather, it is said at once of the animal that it 
is too delicate, and why? Because you have 
reduced the lungs so greatly that the animal 
cannot keep up its warmth, and bec(nues 
'delicate,' and that is only another phrase for 
saying that it is predisposed to disease. Permit 
the animal to become delicate, therefore, and it 
becomes predisposed to disease. And just in 
proportion as you limit the exercise that cattle 
take, by keeping them in their confined stalls, 
you diminish the size of tlie lungs, and you 
make them incapable of resisting the conse- 
quence of exposure. Now our Shorthorn cattle 
are notoriously more delicate than your Here- 
fords, and why are Herefords more hardy? 
Because they have been bred and brought up 
under conditions which allowed them greater 
freedom, which permitted them to take more 
exercise, and so they are more hardy. 

"This is one point; and there is anotJier 
point which has helped to make the Hereford 
breed what it is — there has been greater care 
shown for the pi-oduction of milk. The fatal 
error which was accepted by the majority of 
Shorthorn men was this: We are breeding to 
produce meat, and milk is of secondary impor- 
tance; we want pedigree animals which will be 
of very high value; you can get milk from very 
cheap cows. Now, there has not been a more 
fatal opinion in connection with agriculture 
than this. The production of milk has been 
looked upon as of secondary moment, and just 
in proportion as the production of milk has 
been neglected, so will you find the breeding 
powers of the animal become weaker and more 
uncertain. It is, therefore, because of the 
greater care that has been shown in the inan- 
agement of Hereford cattle, in reference to the 
pioduction of milk, and also the more natural 
viuy in which calves have been allowed to be 
suckled by their cows and to run with them 
that you have maintained the breeding powers 
of these animals, in greater excellence and in 
greater power. The stronger constitution and 
the bettor breeding character of the Hereford 



11 I S T O H Y O F H K li K V () H D C A T T L E 



295 



stock is largely due to tlie i'lut tliat while you 
liave carried improvements forward, you have 
not carried them to such an extent as to en- 
danger the stability of the breed for the hardy 
character which it originally possessed, and 
for many years past, it has been my pleasure to 
refer to the Hereford breed as representing the 
cattle of which there was a sutficient power for 
the ])r<)duction of meat rapidly, without it be- 
ing accompanied by weakness through over 
feeding and neglecting the milk, and, depend 
upon it, the great future of this breed will be 
determined by this moderation that you liave 
shown in the past. There is nothing peculiar 
to the Hereford breed, any more than the 
Siiorthoms, to prevent you going too far in the 
alteration you make in the structure of the 
body, and in its general healthy character. It 
is quite possible for you, and you may have 
seen instances of it, to produce a Hereford 
([uite as tender and as delicate as the most frail 
of the Shorthorn breed. But the interests of 
breeders in the past has been shown by carry- 
ing the improvements to a reasonable extent — 
making them good tlesh formers, good feeders, 
but not overdoing it by bringing your animals 
into too delicate a condition." 

Prof. Tanner concluded by saying: "I know 
tiiat some of the breeders of Shorthorn cattle 
will think that I am doing them an injustice, in 
reference to the quality of Shorthorn beef, but 
it is my duty to speak the truth, to the best 
of my ability and knowdedge, whether it 
pleases or not; and I feel convinced, that the 
excessive limitation w'hich is placed ujjon the 
Shorthorns, tends greatly in the direction of 
producing beef which is decidedly of an in- 
ferior character. We know, however, that it is 
a point of excellence with Hereford breeders, 
that you are rather liberal in regard to exercise 
— you allow your stock to take rather a liberal 
amount of exercise, and this is really a loss of 
food producing power; but you cannot have it 
both ways. The great end is to obtain that 
lia|>py medium that gives you the rich flesh, ac- 
companied by a fair proportion of fat, and not 
to fatten to such an extent that the muscular 
growth shall attain to a fatty degeneration." 

We jjresent Dr. Sprague"s report on marbling 
qualities of beef from the dressed bullocks at 
the American Fat Stock Show and froyi others 
obtained at the markets. We would call 
special attention to the clause which we have 
placed in italics: 

"So. after thoroui/hly ircujhing and siftiiifj 
I'l-rri/ feature of the strvcture. of fiber and fat, 
in the tiro breeds «,< represented by specimens, 
we conclude that sujieriorili/ must be deter- 



mined by EARLY MATURITY .POUNDS OF 
GAIN UPON A GIVEN AMOUNT OF 
FEED, RELATIVE WEIGHT OF OFFAL 
AND OF BEST TO POOREST PARTS." 

Or as we would state it, economy of produc- 
tion and value of product. There is no doubt 
that the Doctor reached the rule that must be 
the true test. But a further and more careful 
investigation reveals the fact that by the touch 
and handling, the quality can be determined 
with tolerable accuracy. The butcher of long 
experience by the eye and handling, will de- 
termine whether the animal will die well or 
not; he will determine with almost unerring 
certainty on the points. This fact is well es- 
tablished, but there is as much difference in 
butchers as there is in any other calling. We 
will find butchers that by the outside of the 
animal will tell almost to a certainty what is 
under the hide, and this class of butchers 
should be called for judges. Another point: 
When a society shall reserve the right to 
take competing bullocks that are brought be- 
fore them for slaughter, then will they reach 
results that will be valuable. Dr. Sprague 
says, "The butcher is the only one that 
could establish the presence of these desirable 
qualities" (marbling). We advocated this and 
urged upon the attention of the Illinois State 
Board of Agriculture the necessity of making 
this test. An offer was made in the following 
language in 18T9 in a commimication to the 
Board : 

"The object of your Board is to determine, 
among other things, the comparative value of 
dilferent breeds of beef animals. Among other 
ways, expert judges of beef animals are called 
upon to pass upon the merits of such animals 
as are brought before them. This will de- 
termine the merits excepting the errors of 
judgment and prejudice in favor of different 
breeds. To correct such errors and prejudices 
if any exist, I will submit my cattle, tliat have 
come in competition with other breeds, to the 
direction of your Board to be slaughtered." 

We agreed with Dr. Sprague, that the 
butcher's test was needed. The Board could 
offer such premiums as would make it an object 
and inducement for breeders and feeders to 
bring their cattle to such a test. 

The Duke of Bedford did this over seventy 
A cars ago, and the correctness of that judgment 
has lieen recognized, from that time to the pres- 
ent, by the graziers and butchers of England. 

.\t the request of the State Board of Agri- 
culture of Illinois, Dr. G. Sprague of Chicago 
])rcparpd an exhaustive paper giving the re- 
sults of a series of careful microscopical 



296 



HISTOEY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



examinations of samples of meat, cut from 
several of the carcasses butchered at the Fat 
Stock fShow held at Chicago in 1880. It will 
be remembered that the breeders of Shorthorn 
and Hereford cattle entered several head of 
select steers of the two breeds in a contest for 
the slaughter prize, and also that during the 
deliberations of the awarding committee the 
feeling ran very high as to the relative supe- 
riority of the meat. The microscopical tests 
were made at that time, but not so thoroughly 
as the State Board desired. The able paper of 
Dr. Sprague has been condensed as follows, and 
the result of that gentleman's examinations at- 




Presented tu Cm. K Mnrg^nj. in.srnlird a> follows; Pre- 
sented to Geo. F. Morgan, Esq., by a few breeders in 
England, in recognition of liis labors to establish 
the Herefords in America, July 25th, 1883. 

tracted great attention from the producers, 
meat cutters, and consumers of the country. 

Dr. Sprague introduces the paper by 
anatomical comparisons, which, although tech- 
nically of vast importance, do not relate to the 
merits of the meat examined, and he then 
states that: 

"The specimens examined under the micro- 
scope, and also subjected to tests by cooking, 
were taken from the loin at the point of di- 
vision of the fore, and from the hind quarters 
of the two and tlircc-ycar-old Shorthorn grades. 



and from corresponding ])arts of the Hereford 
grades of like ages, these being animals 
slaughtered and dressed in competition at the 
recent Fat Stock Show in this city. Specimens 
from same part of carcass were procured of a 
butcher shop on Adams street, where only high- 
grade steers are cut up, and of low grade from 
two South Division shops, and also from the 
wholesale dejiartment of West Jackson street. A 
careful examination in every state from 
moisture to extreme dryness, running through 
a period of ten days, shows no discernible dif- 
ference in color, structure of fiber, or the 
equable distribution of the fat vesicles and fat 
among the muscular fibers of the show steers. 
So after thoroughly weighing and sifting every 
feature of the structure of fiber and fat in the 
two breeds, as represented in the high grades 
presented as specimens, we conclude that su- 
])eriority must be determined by early maturity 
— pounds of gain upon a given amount of feed ; 
relative weight of offal, and of best to poorest 
parts, and by the test of public taste, based 
upon the exterior form and finish, as from out- 
ward appearance some prefer one breed and 
others the other. The specimens of high-grade 
steer beef procured on Adams street showed 
nearly all the qualities of high marbling of the 
exhibition steers, and there was no difference 
in coloring, fineness of fiber, distribution of fat 
vesicles, nor in flavor or odor when cooked, 
though tliere was some difference in the degree 
to which the fibers were filled with nutritive 
substance. • 

THE SCRUB MEAT. 

"But a comparison of the scrub meat, or that 
part of it known as scalawags, with the high 
grade, prompts us to ever in the future turn 
our backs upon and refuse to take upon our 
plate a cut from the class referred to. The 
lean fibers from this class of carcasses are like 
rubber, and are held together by a glutinous 
substance; and not by cellular tissues' and fat 
vesicles, filled with fat and easily separated, as 
in the case of the high-bred steers. The speci- 
men pieces of the scrub meat — and this held 
good with the six examined, commenced to curl 
as soon as the drying process commenced, and 
in three days the pieces were curled up at the 
edges and thoroughly dry; whereas the cuts 
froiu the high grades remained moist and juicy, 
and lay flat upon the paper, though on hand 
three or four days before the others were pro- 
cured. When dry the cuts of the scrub meat 
had no flexibility, would break before they 
would bend, and when cooked were without 
fat, juiciness or flavor, while the specimens 
from the high grades maintained all these 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



297 



qualities after liaviiif; been kept for a full week 
exposed to the air." 

The Doetor iiiaile a practieal test by cooking 
samples of all the meats referred to, and his 
dediK'tions from the tests are simply a corrob- 
oration of the opinion that the HKiH-GRADE 
:\IKATS ARK Till-: ONLY ONES FIT FOR 
TIIK TABLE. 

Upon the question of the excessive fatness, 
about which so much has been said and writ- 
ten, the examiner, after minutely describing 
where this excess of fat is to be found, and the 
immediate cause thereof, says: 

"It would be very proper, and a step in ad- 
vance, to offer a prize on the beast, or rather 
to the man who should breed and rear the 
beast, capable of showing the highest specimen 
of marbling with the least accumulation of fat, 
merely as such, outside of and measurably away 
from the muscles. Men can express their likes 
and dislikes, it costs nothing to do this, but 
mere expressions of opinion cut no figure in so 
strictly a practical matter as growing meat for 
the million. The true inwardness of the sub- 
ject is, as a rule, very imperfectly understood, 
ihough the ways of getting at a better under- 
standing are being gradually found out. The 
idea entertained by some, generally vegetarians, 
that fat aceinnulated in the system is the re- 
sult of fatty degeneration of muscles, is er- 
roneous in every particular. Fat in the human 
.system and in all animals is as natural an ele- 
ment as are muscles and skin. That some por- 
tion of the muscular system may (as is oc- 
casionally the case with the heart, which is 
(hollow) muscle) be the seat of deposit of 
an unnatural amount of adipose matter, caus- 
ing the muscles to become pale and the heart's 
motion feeble, is no proof that all fat presents 
evidence of degeneration. The blood in perfect 
health contains fatty elements which in its 
rounds are given off and taken in by the fat 
vesicles, these latter holding it in store. The 
blood also carries the material out of which 
finger nails, hoofs and hairs are made, leaving 
this at the proper place to replenish waste; and 
it would be just as proper to charge the hair 
and the finger and toe nails with being a de- 
generation from muscular substance as to 
charge this to the usual accumulation of fat 
in the system of man m- beast. 

"Cattle breeders have always been divided in 
opinion as to the superioriiy of meat grown 
u|)on the frames of bony steers which arc pas- 
ture-fed. Some l)rceders claim that meat thus 
made must of necessity be of a better quality on 
ac<'ount of the continued outdoor exercise af- 
I'oriled and the natural food which the animal 



takes, while just as thorough and practical men 
insist upon the correctness of their views, that 

A STALL-FED STEEH 

would produce as good, sound, hardy muscle 
and as choice meat as could l)e shown upon an 
animal fed in the open air and upon natural 
food." After stating that no one questions that 
exercise hardens the muscles, the Doctor says: 

"The notion entertained by some that an 
animal cannot be mainly kept in a stall and be 
made to produce healthy, sound meat is a non- 
sensical assumption not sustained by physi- 
ology, nor is it by experience. That such an 
animal is liable to fatty degeneration is equally 
nonsensical. The evidences of health in the 
stall-fed ox are just as apparent, under reason- 
ably favorable circumstances, as are the 
evidences of soundness in an apple grown in a 
fixed position on a limb." 

Many of the most prominent breeders of the 
country pin their faith upon the idea that they 
can by handling ascertain and determine 
whether an animal will show marbled meat and 
other signs of good blood and thorough breed- 
ing. Because a steer presents a soft glossy 
hide, and the proper fullness in parts that in- 
dicate good blood and equally good care, these 
gentlemen have been known to go so far as to 
wager large sums of money that animals show- 
ing these outside signs of excellence would, 
upon being butchered, show highly marbled 
meat. In fact, they have professed to be able 
to locate this choice beef before death. Dr. 
Sprague held that this was not only impossible 
Init preposterous, and that 

THE butcher's test WAS THE ONLY ONE 

that could establish the presence of these de- 
sirable qualities. Upon this subject he says: 
"We acknowledged to having looked upon 
these meat tests with no little interest, in that 
we hoped to prove that the outward signs of 
a fine handler would point quite unerringly 
to the quality of the meat fibre and the mar- 
bling of it. So we selected a steer -having a 
soft, mossy coat and mellow skin, with the 
other indications of a fine handler in a marked 
degree, upon which to apply the tests so long 
recognized and acted upon by breeders. This 
steer, upon being cut up, gave no evidence of 
any higher marbling of flesh than either of 
the others, no matter what their touch, under 
the hand. Failing to find corroborative evi- 
dence in this regard, we applied the micro- 
scope with care, in the hope of discovering a 
muscular fibre susceptible of minuter division 
by far than the fibre of other steers in the 



298 



H I S T E Y OF H E 11 E F E D CATTLE 



show tliat came under the butcher's hand. In 
this we may have been in a measure successful, 
as the minute filaments of the muscular fibre 
of the fine handling steer appeared under a 
lens of high power to be a little fiper than, 
others possessed, though the difference was not 
pronounced, was, in fact, slight, not manifest 
enough to base a distinction upon. This will 
be conceded when it is considered that the 
slight difference, if any existed, was only dis- 
covered through a very high magnifying 
power applied to a single filament, being the 
100th division at least of a single minute 
muscular fibre. One object of this examination 
has l)een to discover, if practical)le, outward 



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GOOD BOY iTMsi Tb.'lii. 
Bred by Earl of Coveutry. 

signs that would point with tolerable certainty 
to the inner structure during the life of the 
animal, that we might be able to predict, while 
the animal was upon its feet, what its fibre 
would be upon the block, and the extent to 
which this would be marbled. 

"Hence, it is quite fitting, at this stage of 
the discussion, to refer to the fact that tlie 
deer, as well as many other animals, have ex- 
ceedingly soft coats and pliable skins, yet no 
marbling of the flesh. These facts have their 
bearing, and point distinctly to the need of 
more lessons and closer study. We should 
think it doing violence to intimate that a steer 
of coarse outward texture and heavy bone, 
would show flesh of equal quality with one pos- 
sessed of a moderate bone and general marks 
of fine texture upon the surface. But, as for 
any dift'erence observable in the exterior struc- 
ture of the steers shown at the late exhibition 
appearing to indicate a finer flesh fibre, or 
Ix'tter degree of marbling, we think the evi- 
dence brought out through the tests upon the 
interior structure point not very distinctly to 
either lieast. 

"It occurs to us to hint, in conclusion, that 
the Board of Agriculture should require ex- 



periments upon low as well as high-grade 
meats, and that these tests should incTude the 
careful cooking and testing of the cooked 
samples. This test is applied to all other kinds 
of food entered for prizes. Our bread, butter, 
cheese and preserve making do not now need 
the safeguards of prizes and tests nearly so 
much as do our meats, as the differences in the 
latter are so imperfectly understood, even 
among the better class of consumers." 

We give herewith the outlines fairly repre- 
senting these two breeds — Hereford and Short- 
horn — at the heart-girth, (f 201a) supposing 
them to be cut in two parts, at that point. It 
will be noticed that drawing a line horizon- 
tally across the centers of these two cuts, the 
greatest weight of the Hereford is above, and 
of the Shorthorn below such line. 

We represent also a cut of a Hereford cow, 
and have drawn the lines as they appear, and 
marked and numbered the different cuts. 
(11201b.) 

The line running from the neck to the but- 
tock would correspond with supposed line 
across the circular outline, and above this we 
may term the top. 

In this cut may be found the prevailing or 
usual form of the Hereford. They are always 
better topped, or in other words they arc the 
best in the best parts. 

The parts numbered 1, 2, 3 and 9 are always 
better in weight and quality in the Herefords 
than in the Shorthorn ; 10 and 11 are equally 
good as to weight, and better in quality. On 
this the advocate of the Shorthorn would take 
issue, for if in any point they have a show 
of quality with the Hereford, it is at this 
point; 12 (the thigh or round) with the Here- 
ford is heavier on the inside and lighter on 
the outside, while the Shorthorn is lighter on 
the inside and heavier on the outside, giving 
the Hereford the largest amount of good beef 
here. 

The parts 4 and 5 are better in the Here- 
ford than in the Shorthorn, and in the Here- 
ford better than 2 in the Shorthoi-n ; 3 is where 
the fore roasts are cut from, and where the 
Hereford makes his weight of fore quarter 40 
per cent thicker meat, and of the best quality. 
The top of the cow in the circle outline — broad 
and full in the crops — is the rule with the 
Hereford and the exception with the Short- 
horn. And good meat is carried nearer to the 
horns and hocks on the Hereford than on the 
Shorthorn. The value of the Hereford on any 
market where known is above that of the 
Shorthorn because he is better in the best 
places. 



11 1 S T K Y OF HE R E F E D C A T T L E 



299 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



Tkktii as Indicative of the Age of Cattle. 
Stock Show Comparisons 



Some Fat 



Wf think it will be granted without eou- 
troversy, that if a thrue-year-old is shown 
as a two-year-old, and a four-year-old as a 
three-year-old, and a five or six-year-old in the 
four-year-old class, there is ground for a 
very decided protest from the owners of the 
cattle that are exhibited at their right ages. 
In this connection, at the risk of being tedious, 
we shall introduce considerable testimony as 
to the reliability of the teeth as indicators of 
age in cattle, and as to irregularity and error 
in the ages of Shorthorn steers, against which 
Ilerefords were unfairly compelled to show. 
We will also reproduce cuts of teeth to better 
bring out this metliod of computing ages. 
This we first brought out in the "Breeders' 
Journal." In those days the "battle of the 
breeds" was a reality, "a condition and not a 
theory," as some "milk and water" adherents 
of the cattle trade would have us now believe. 

Steers were exhibited at the Fat Stock Shows, 
that, allowing all due latitude for reasonable 
variation, carried around with them in their 
mouths conclusive evidence as to their fraudu- 
lent ages. It only needed to be utilized and 
made a part of the showing to put them in the 
class to which they belonged. 

To show that the age of animals has been 
made a study by educated and perfectly re- 
liable men, wo were at much pains to procure 
from the highest source ol)tainal)le the latest 
and best inforuuition of the age of animals as 
shown by tlu'ir lecth. 

While in England we found that Prof. 
Brown, who is at the head of the Veterinary 
Department of the British Government, had 
])ulilished under the auspices of the Eoyal Agri- 
cultural Society cuts sliowing the ages of meat- 
producing animals. These cuts agree substan- 
tially with the cuts published herewith. From 
th(>se cuts exhibitors, judges and visitors at cat- 
tle shows may he enabled to judge of the cor- 
rectness of the ages of animals which are ex- 
hibited. 



The steers exhibited by the T.L.Miller Co. in 
November, 1883, at two years and nine months, 
showed only four permanent incisors; at three 
years and nine months only six ; and so far 
as we have examined we have found the same 
results. 

Mr. John Price, of Court House, Pembridge, 
England, had two steers, one three years and 
six weeks, which had four full incisors, and the 
adjoining calf teeth were still firm in their 
sockets. Another steer at two years and five 
months had four permanent incisors, and two 
outside ones not yet fully grown. It will be 
noticed that Prof. Brown and his associates 
acted as inspectors for English exhibitions with 
power to disqualify animals from exhibition. 

"Early maturity," says Prof. Brown, "is the 
sine qua non of breeders and exhibitors of farm 
stock, and it is one of the objects of agricul- 
tural societies to encourage them in their elforts 
to produce breeds which reach a state of per- 
fect 'development at a comparatively youthful 
period. 

"In order that judges of stock may be in a 
position to decide between animals of un- 
doubted merit, the age is in all cases to be taken 
into account; and it is presumed that of the 
competing animals, which are in other respects 
equal, the youngest will receive the palm. 

"Whether or not the practice is invariably in 
conformity with this theory may be open to 
question, but there is no doubt that the prin- 
ciple is correct, and in order that it may be car- 
ried into effect it is necessary to inform the 
judges of the exact age of each animal in every 
class. 

"No argument is required to show that the 
breeder's certificate would afford the most re- 
liable evidence of an animal's age if scrupulous 
exactitude and honesty were inherent human 
qualities; it is equally obvious that in their 
absence the evidence of a certificate is more 
calculated to mislead than to assist the judg- 
ment. 



300 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 




CALF'S TEETH AT 
BIRTH. 



"It will probably be conceded, that persons 
who are concerned with the breeding and feed- 
ing of animals are not always free from risk of 
error, and it certainly can be proved by the 
logic of facts that all are not scrupulously exact 
in such matters as the statement of an animal's 
age. It therefore becomes necessary to supple- 
ment or correct the exhibitor's certificate, by 
such evidence as the 
animal itself affords; 
and by common con- 
sent, the periodical 
changes to which 
the teeth are sub- 
ject, are accepted as 
indications of age, 
only second in value 
to positive proof of 
the date of the ani- 
mal's birth. 

"How far the cul- 
tivation of breeds, 
by artificial selec- 
tion and high feed- 
ing, has influenced 
the development of 
the teeth, in com- 
mon with other organs connected with nutritive 
functions, can only be inferred from the great 
difference which exists between the accounts of 
the older veterinary writers on dentition of ani- 
mals and the facts which are familiar to the 
few experts of this generation who have taken 
the trouble to investigate the subject for them- 
selves. 

"In this country the most popular writer on 
veterinary science was Mr. Youatt, whose works 
on the horse, ox, sheep and pig were published 
by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful 
Knowledge. Youatt's remarks on the teeth are 
copied almost verbatim from M. Girard's work 
on dentition ; and it may be without hesitation 
asserted, that if Girard's description of the 
teeth of the ox, sheep and pig were correct at 
the time when they were written, an improved 
system of breeding and feeding must have oc- 
casioned a very remarkable change in the rate 
of development of the teeth. In the year 1850 
I commenced some investigations on the ani- 
mals which were bred on the Royal Agricul- 
tural College Farm, for the common purposes of 
supplying milk and meat, and not especially for 
purposes of exhibition. The cattle on the farm 
were chiefly Shorthorns, the sheep were Cots- 
wolds, and the pigs Berkshires, and none of the 
animals were at that time referred to as pedi- 
gree stock, nor were they fed on the forcing 
system. The observations of the first few 



months of 1850 sufficed to establish the fact 
that the teeth of cattle, sheep and swine were 
developed at much earlier periods than those 
which were stated in Youatt's remarks, copied 
from Girard. 

"From the animals on the college farm the 
inquiry was extended to Mr. Stratton's valu- 
able stock near Swindon, and to Mr. Kearsey's 
■ram flock at Rodmarten. Among the more 
highly cultivated animals on these farms the 
process of dentition was not found to be more 
forward than among the stock on the college 
farm ; and it is not generally more forward at 
the present time, after an intervening period of 
over thirty years of high feeding and careful 
breeding, in the improved races of cattle, sheep 
and swine than it was then. 

"The contention of exhibitors is, that excep- 
tional development is so frequent during denti- 
tion as to disturb any calculations which are 
based on a rule. In reply it may be stated that 
the most competent observers do not accept that 
view. On the contrary they are aware that the 
alleged exceptions do not often bear a critical 
investigation. Numerous inquiries have from 
time to time been made in compliance with the 
urgent demands of owners of disqualified ani- 
mals, and those who have been most sedulous in 
searching for the truth are aware how vague 
and incomplete the evidence in support of the 
owner's certificate has been in most cases. Not 
uncommonly the entry has been proved to be 
incorrect, and in the few cases where the de- 
cision of the expert 
has been reversed, it 
has been done, only, 
on the plea that the 
exhibitor should 
have the benefit of 
the doubt. 

"Whenever a con- 
siderable number of 
disqualifications oc- 
cur at the principal 
agricultural shows, 
the aggrieved ex- 
hibitors avail them- 
selves of the aid of 
the press to vindi- 
cate their systems of 

recording the ages of their a;iimals, and to show 
how impossible it is for any mistake to happen. 
In no case, however, within my own recollec- 
tion, have any useful facts been brought to 
light as the result of these periodical effusions. 

"On the occasion of the exhibition of the 
Smithfield Club in 1881 several pens of pigs 
were disqualified, and some of the exhibitors 




FIG. 2. CALF'S TEETH AT 
SECOND WEEK. 



HISTORY OF TIEREFORD CATTLE 



301 




expressed their views on the subject of denti- 
tion, as indicative of the age, in the agricul- 
tural press. Mr. James Howard, M. P., wrote 
a letter to the 'Agricultural Gazette,' from 
which the fx)llowing paragrapii is quoted : 

" 'According to my own observation the den- 
tition varied much according to families, and 
to a considerable extent in the same family, but 
in the majority of cases dentition in the same 
litter is tolerably 
u n i f o r m when 
three months old; 
at six months the 
boars, and particu- 
larly the more ro- 
bust ones, show a 
marked forward- 
n e s s ; at nine 
months the denti- 
tion is often very 
varied; at twelve 
months some of the 
pigs of the same 
litter will show a 
state of dentition 
\'vmn two to three months in advance of others, 
and also in advance of the condition laid down 
in Prof. Simond's treatise.' 

"This definite statement of the results of his 
own observations, by an eminent breeder and 
exhibitor, was far too important to pass over 
without notice. It will be observed that Mr. 
Howard's remarks had reference to the most 
critical ages, viz., six months, nine months and 
twelve months, and I, perhaps not unreason- 
al)ly, indulged a hope that I might obtain an 
exact account of the particular variations which 
had been noted at the ages named. I therefore 
wrote to Mr. Howard for the information. In 
reply Mr. Howard enclosed a memorandum 
from his farm manager, expressing at the same 
time his regret that he did not take notes, add- 
ing that the farm manager is a most reliable 
and truthful man. 

"The memorandum from the farm manager 
is as follows : 

" 'Britannia Farm, Bedford, Mar. 1, 1883. 
" 'The subject of dentition as indicating the 
ages of pigs was first brought under my notice 
when a pen of your pigs were disqualified at 
Birmingham show some years ago, and to prove 
for my own private satisfaction whether it 
could be relied upon, I from time to time ex- 
amined litters when in my possession. I should 
think my examinations extended for about three 
years, and I know proved conclusively to my 
mind that no reliance can be placed on the 
dentition of a litter as a true test of the age. 



I kept no account or notes of my examinations 
at that time, not thinking it would come to 
such prominence as at the present time. The 
results were as given by you in a former letter, 
from which the enclosed paragraph is taken.' 

"The enclosed paragraj)h referred to was the 
paragraph (quoted above) from Mr. Howard's 
letter to the 'Agricultural Gazette.' 

"Another inquiry, which was instituted about 
the same time as the above, ended in an equally 
unsatisfactory manner. 

"Mr. Sanders Spencer informed me that he 
had in his possession a pig of one year old 
which had the lateral permanent incisors. As 
such an abnormal state of dentition had not 
been seen before an opportunity was sought to 
inspect this dental phenonu^non. Unfortu- 
nately the application was made too late. Mr. 
Spencer wrote in res]3onse : 

"'Holywell Manor, St. Ives, Hunts, 

" 'February 6, 1883. 

" 'The yelt I mentioned to you on Thursday 
failed to breed, so she was sold to our village 
Initcher, to whom I will today apply and try 
to obtain from him or the purchaser the lower 
jaw of the pig and will forward it to you 
if not damaged, as they usually are by the 
butcher when chopping off the snout. I be- 
lieve I did not mention to you the circum- 
stances that one of the yelt's central incisors 
(temporary) was broken off, so that the ab- 
normal dentition may have been caused by ac- 
cident.' 

"The promised specimen was not obtained, 
but in reply to another letter of inquiry Mr. 
Spencer wrote as follows : 

" 'After finding the yelt had cut her perma- 
nent lateral incisors, I examined her molars, 
but found nothing 
unusual in their de- 
velopment. Nos. 1 
and 2 were very 
much worn, and 
seemed quite ready 
to move for the jier- 
nianent ones. Nn. 
5 looked very whiti', 
but was apparently 
fully grown.' " 

"It appears from 
the above remarks 
that the state of 
dentition in respect 
of the molar teeth was exactly what it is ex- 
pected to be at the age of one year, while the 
incisors indicated the animal to be six months 
older. That such a specimen was lost must 
remain a subject of regret. 




CALF'S TEETH AT 
1 MONTH. 



302 



HISTOEY OF HEKEFORD CATTLE 




CALF'S TEETH AT 
8 MONTHS. 



"It is not inteuded in anything which has 
been stated to question the fact of the occur- 
rence of irregularities in the dentition of the 
animals of the farm. On the contrary, my sub- 
sequent remarks will contain references to 
numerous and remarkable exceptions to the rule 
of development of the teeth of different animals. 
It is, however, contended that the expert is per- 
fectly familiar with the exceptions and knows 
exactly how to make allowance for them in 
forming his opinion of an animal's age. Any 
one of common intelligence can become an ex- 
pert in judging the age by the teeth if he 
chooses to devote 
some years to the 
patient and critical 
study of the sub- 
ject, but until he 
has thus qualified 
himself he ought 
not to assume the 
right to criticise 
opinions based on 
evidence which he 
cannot appreciate. 
The events of the 
last exhibition of 
the society at Read- 
ing, without refer- 
ring to similar 
cases which have been sufficiently numer- 
ous in past years, suffice to prove that 
what ought to be the unquestionable evi- 
dence of a breeder's certificate cannot al- 
ways be accepted without hesitation. At the 
last show eight pens of pigs were absolutely 
disqualified, and exhibitors were cautioned in 
respect of the pigs in seven other pens. Pigs 
which were shown under the condition that they 
should not exceed two months had the dentition 
of three months and six months respectively. 
Pigs shown under six months had the one-year- 
old teeth well up, and other in the same class 
had the dentition of eight and nine months. 
One man was seen to move a pig, after the in- 
spection was finished, from an old class into a 
younger one. The attempt to secure for the 
animal a better position than it was entitled to 
really led to its disqualification, a conse- 
quence which, however unpleasant for the ex- 
hibitor, is not the most serious outcome of the 
attempted fraud. Such proceedings as those 
which have been referred to naturally tend to 
excite universal suspicion, which may often fall 
unjustly and without sufficient reason. 

"In one sense it may be considered satisfac- 
tory that from the first disqualifications have 
been recorded chiefly in respect of the pigs of 



a few exhibitors, who year after year, in spite 
of warning, persisted in trying how far they 
might presume on the forbearance of the in- 
spectors, urging in reply to all remonstrances 
that it would not answer for one or two to 'show 
straight' unless they all agreed to do so. 

"The great majority of exhibitors during the 
last tweiity years have not given any grounds 
of complaint, and in many instances, notably 
among the pigs exhibited Ijy Her Majesty, by 
the Royal Agricultural College, and by Messrs. 
Howard, the development of the teeth has been 
rather below than in advance of the rules which 
have been laid down as the result of long ex- 
perience. Altogether the evidence of more than 
a quarter of a century justifies the statement 
that the evidence of age which is afforded by 
the teeth, without being absolutely irrefragable, 
is the most reliable, under all the circum- 
stances, which can be obtained." 

THE TEETH OF THE OX. 

"In the front of the mouth of the ox there 
are eight incisors or cutting teetli in the lower 
jaw only, an elastic pad of fibrous tissue, cov- 
ered with mucous membrane, takes the place 
of teeth in front of the upper jaw. The inci- 
sors may be distinguished as centrals, or first 
pair; middles, or second pair; laterals, or third 
pair, and corners, or fourth pair; the same 
term being equally applicable to the temporary 
and permanent organs. 

"Temporary incisor teeth are easily distin- 
guished from permanent, chiefly by their size. 
The fangs of the temporary incisor teeth are 
much shorter than those of the permanent in- 
cisors, but this fact is not to be recognized until 
the teeth are removed from the jaw. No ques- 
tion is likely to arise in the mind of the ex- 
aminer as to the distinction between temporary 
and permanent organs; in fact, the common 
term broad teeth, as applied to the latter, suffi- 
ciently indicates their prominent feature. 

"Molar teeth are named first, second or third, 
according to their position. In the temporary 
set there are three molars on each side of the 
upper and lower jaws, and in the adult these 
teeth are changed for permanent organs, while 
three additional teeth, the fourth, fifth and 
sixth in position, all of which are permanent 
teeth from the first, are added, making the full 
set of permanent molar teeth six in each side 
of the upper and lower jaws. 

"In the mouth of the calf at birth the tem- 
porary teeth, molars and incisors are all so far 
advanced that they may be seen in outline under 
the gum, and commonly the cutting edges of 



HISTORY OF II EKE FORD CATTLE 



;i03 



till' incisors ami a few poiiiU dT tlic molars are 
uncovered. 

"The advance of the teeth and tlie receding 
of the gnms proceed very rapidly after birth, 
and at tiic age of one month the temporary' 
teeth, viz., eight incisors in the lower jaw and 
three molars in each side in the top ami bottom 
jaws, are fully developed. 

"No accurate opinion of the age of a calf can 
he formed from the olisiTvation of the state of 
dentition between 
the ages of one and 
si.\ months, when 
the fourth molar is 
cut; but during 
this period the 
jaws expand, the 
incisor teeth grad- 
ually become less 
crowded, and the 
space between the 
third molar and 
the angle of the 
jaw increases as 
the fourth molar, 
which is the first 
advances to occupy its 




FIG. 6. CALFS TEETH AT 11 
MONTHS. 



tooth. 



permanent 
space. 

"At the age of six months the fourth molar 
is well developed, but it is in close contact with 
the angle of the jaw, and the posterior sur- 
face is not quite free from the covering of the 
gum. 

"Between six and twelve months old there 
are no important dental changes, the incisor 
teeth become worn, and as the jaws increase in 
size there is more space left between them, but 
it is not possible to assert from the state of the 
incisor teeth whether an animal is under or 
over the age of one year. (Fig. 7.) 

"Shortly after one year the fifth molar be- 
gins to make its appearance, and at fifteen 
months it is well up. The appearance which 
the fifth molar presents at this age is very much 
like that of the fourth molar at the age of six 
months. The new tooth is in close contact witli 
tlic angle of the jaw, and the gum covers the 
extreme posterior part of its surface. 

"Xo change occurs in the incisors, except that 
which is caused by the wear of the teeth and 
the groW'th of the jaw, until the age of one 
year and eight or nine months, at which time 
the two central teeth are loose, and the first 
liroad teeth sometimes begin to project through 
the gum. In very forward animals the central 
permanent incisors are cut at the age of a year 
and seven months, but they are never level with 
the other incisors before one year and ten 



niontiis, and their perfect development is iu- 
( Ilea five of the age of two years. 

"The illustration (Fig. 10) was taken from 
A Siiorthorn heifer at the age of one year and 
ten months, and may be accepted as indicative 
of the general appearance of the incisors at 
that age. 

"While the first pair of permanent incisors 
are advancing to take tiie place of the tem- 
l)orary teeth, the sixth and last permanent 
molars push their way through the gum, and at 
tiu' age of two years are in position. Any error 
of opinion as to the age which might arise from 
liie premature cutting of the central permanent 
incisors may be corrected by reference to the 
state of the molars. 

"The sixth molar takes the position de- 
scribed, and the first and second permanent 
molars take the places of the temporary teeth ; 
this change, in my experience, does not usually 
occur until the animal is a month or two over 
two years of age. 

"From two years and three months to two 
years and six months the second pair of broad 
teeth — the middle permanent incisors — occupy 
the place of the corresjwnding temporary teeth 
in all the cultivated breeds. Instances of late 
dentition present themselves from time to time 
in which the middle permanent incisors are not 
cut until the animal is approaching three years 
old. There is consequently a possible variation 
of six months in the time of the appearance of 
these teeth. 

"In the illustration (Fig. 12) the ordinary 




FIG. 7. YEARLING'S TEETH AT 12 MONTHS. 



condition of the incisor at two years and six 
months is shown. 

"It must be understood in reference to the 
ajjpearance of the second pair of broad teeth 
that an expert, looking at a mouth which cor- 
responds to the drawings, will conclude that the 
animal is two years and a half old, but if he is 
required to certify that the age is under or 
above that period he must proceed to inspect 
tlie molar teeth, and take into account the ani- 



304 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD C^ATTLE 




YEARLING'S TEETH 
AT 15 MONTHS. 



mal's pedigree, its sex, and its general edndi- 
tion of developnieut. 

"If the animal in question is a IniU of one 
of the cultivated breeds, and has been forced 
to a state of early maturity, it may be expected 
that the second pair of permanent incisors will 
have been cut at two years and four months; 
and if either of the anterior temporary molars 
remain in their places, the conclusion that the 
animal is under two years and a half will be 
strengthened. 

"Shortly after the first and second molars are 
cut the third makes its appearance; occasion- 
ally it appears be- 
fore the others, 
and the animal at 
the age of three 
years will have 
three anterior mo- 
lars nearly level 
with the other 
teeth, but showing 
no signs of wear. 

"The eruption 
of the third pair of 
permanent incisors 
may occur at any 
time between two 
years and six 
months and three years of age. In cultivated 
breeds they are present as a rule before the ani- 
mal is three years old, and occasionally they 
will be found well developed after two years 
and a half. In fact the anterior molars afford 
more relialile evidence of the age lietween two 
and a half and three years old than is furnished 
by the incisors. 

"The fourth pair of broad teeth, the corner 
permanent incisors, are more subject to varia- 
tion in the time of cutting than the third pair. 
In well bred cattle they take the place of the 
temporary teeth soon after the completion of 
the third year, but in bulls they are not uncom- 
monly present at two years and ten months old, 
while in some instances they are not cut until 
three j'ears and nine months old. Very little 
reliance, indeed, can be placed on the evidence 
of the corner incisors, and the examiner is com- 
pelled to refer to the molar teeth for the pur- 
pose of correcting his opinion. 

"With the eruption of the corner permanent 
incisors, the fourth pair of broad teeth, the 
permanent dentition of the ox is completed, and 
after this period the changes in the form of the 
teeth which are due to attrition will assist the 
examiner in forming an opinion of the age, but 
no exact estimate can be based on such evidence. 
The five-year-old ox will show a considerable 



amount of worn surface in the central, middle 
and lateral incisors, and the cutting edge of 
the corner teeth will be marked by a line of 
wear, but no one would attempt to determine 
whether or not an animal were under or above 
the age of five, and as the years increase the 
difficulty of judging the age by the appearance 
of the teeth is not diminished. The teeth be- 
come narrower and more widely separated from 
each other year after year, but the changes are 
not sufficiently well marked to enable the ex- 
aminer to accept them as reliable evidence of 
age." 

The Illinois State Board of Agriculture were 
given a chance to put themselves on record as 
to whether they wished to have their records of 
any value as to weights, gain per day and early 
maturity of the cattle exhibited at the Chicago 
Fat Stock Show. It must be remembered that 
the money of the people of Illinois was used 
by this board. We appeared before the State 
Board of Agriculture at their annual meeting 
held at Springfield, January, 1883. We then 
presented them with the following written state- 
ment of facts: 

"To the Honorable State Board of Agricul- 
ture of the State of Illinois: At the late Fat 
Stock Show held at Chicago I called the 
attention of President Scott to the fact that 
cattle were on exhibition at fraudulent ages, 
and requested of him that he would bring the 
information to the board to the end that they 
might take such action in the matter as would 
protect the board, the exhibitor and the pul>lie 
from the effect of such fraudulent entries. 
Whether he brought the matter to the notice 
of the board or not I am not informed, and, so 
far as I know, no action was taken on the in- 
formation. 

"The interview that I refer to was on the 
first day of the show. I again called his atten- 
tion to the fact that D. M. Moninger of Iowa 
had on exhibition a steer called the 'Champion 
of Iowa' at 715 days old, or one year 11 
months and 15 days old; that the steer had 
six full teeth, while he was not entitled, if his 
age was correctly stated, to have more than 
two full teeth, that J. H. Potts & Son had a 
steer entered as 715 days old that had but two 
full teeth, and that the T. L. Miller Company 
had a steer entered as 714 days old which only 
had two full teeth. These two steers had teeth 
that corresponded with the age that they were 
entered at, while the teeth of Mr. Moninger's 
would indicate that he was full three, if not 
a four-year-old steer. 

"I had several of the steers examined, but I 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



305 




i. YEARLING'S TEETH 
AT IS MONTHS. 



wisli HOW to call your attt'iition to tlio I'at't tliat 
not only was the steer '('liaiii]iioii of Iowa' 
eiiti'ivd at a fraudulent age, l)ut tliat I have 
aseertained tliat the steers 'Tom Unnvii" and 
"(Jrinnell,' so called, and nunihered in the cata- 
lo<jue pulilished by your society 111 and 11:5, 
were butchered by Messrs. Eastland & Duddles- 
ton, of Chicago, and liiat the teeth of these 
two steers, which 
are now in my pos- 
session, show 'Tom 
lirown' to have 
been at least five 
years old, the steer 
'Orinneir to have 
been at least four 
years old, by the 
usual standard au- 
thorities, instead 
of two and three 
years old, as shown 
in the catalogue, 
and these ages may 
be established by 
comparison w i t h 
living animals of today. I also call your atten- 
tion to the entries of ilessrs. H. & I. (iroff, of 
EJmira. Can., for animals Xos. 1.5, 17, 18, as 902 
days old, 1,'^().5 and 1, :?().■) days; the first entered 
as two-year-old, the others as three-year-olds. 
"These animals W'Cre slaughtered by Mr. 
John Ford, and from him I purchased the 
heads, from which I took the teeth which I 
presented to you today. These teeth, by the 
Usual standard authorities, would .show them 
to be from five to six years old, and by compar- 
ing them with living animals of today these 
conclusions would be sustained. 

"Believing that your l)oard, with the exhibits 
you are making, sliould go forth to the world 
with truthful results, and that it is your desire 
to protect the exhibitors who comply honestly 
with your rules, and that you will not seek to 
avoid the responsibilities, l)y the technical form 
in which the information may reach you, I 
have appeare(l before you with the witnesses, 
to-wit. file teeth of the bullocks. And I charge 
these exhibitors, to-wit: ^Ir. D. M. iloninger 
and Messrs. H. & I. Groff, with the entering 
of the cattle under false and fraudulent ages, 
for the purpose of deceiving the committee, the 
public and to obtain a reward by misrepresenta- 
tion. T. L. Miller." 

The report of the committee to whom the 
matter was referred placed themselves on record 
as follows: 
"To the State Board of Agriculture: 

"Your coiiimittee, to whom the ('(uumnni- 



cation of Mr. T. L. Miller in regard to the 
matter of determining the age of animals ex- 
hibited at Fat Stock >Sliow of 1882, and com- 
jiJaining of the action of the president of this 
board in a particular case involving that ques- 
tion was referred, beg leave to say that, 
primarily, Mr. Miller himself failed to do 
what, by his own statement was clearly his duty, 
in not bringing his complaint to the attention 
of the board in a manner recognized by the 
established rules of which he was undoubtedly 
cognizant. Mr. Miller could not have been 
ignorant of his own plain duty as an exhibitor, 
and having failed to protest in any proper form 
against the exhibition of any animal or animals 
he mentions, the board has not, in his mere 
verbal complaints, any ground to institute an 
investigation, or to do any act which could be 
made to imply a doubt as to the correctness of 
the statement of any other exhibitor. In other 
words, your committee believe that the rules 
relating to this subject are clear and practical, 
and that Mr. Miller perfectly understood what 
his rights and duties were in the premises; that 
the president did exactly what the board had 
a right to expect its executive officer to do, and 
certainly gave not the slightest o.ccasion for the 
complaints made by Mr. Miller, and therefore 
recommend that no further action of this board 
in the premises is demanded. 

J. Irving Pearce, 
John Virgin, 
John P. Reynolds, 
Committee." 
It can be seen from this that they cared 
nothing for the facts in tbc^ case, but shielded 




•iI213 

FIG. 10. YEARLING'S TEETH AT 23 MONTHS. 

themselves behind a technicality, that a written 
protest was not entered the day the verbal pro- 
tests were made. We then wrote the following 
on the subject, which will more fully explain 
how much those in interest knew of the suliject 



306 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 




before and during the continuance of the Fat 

Stock Show: 

"Editor 'Breeders' Journal": 

"My relation to this interest is well 
known, but in this article I propose to 
confine myself clearly and closely to the 
Fat Stock Show of 1882. There has 
been, through the live stock journals, in 
the interest of the Shorthorns, a great blowing 
of trumpets and a heralding as to what that 
interest was to do at the coming show. On the 
13th of November exhibitors commenced com- 
ing in with their stock, and between that and 
the Kith items of in- 
1 _ a. terest in relation to 

the entries were gen- 
erally known. When 
I came into the exhi- 
liition building on 
Thursday morning, 
the 16th, I was in- 
formed that large 
numbers of the 
Shorthorns were 
entered under their 
actual ages. Ascer- 
taining in a few in- 
stances by examina- 
tion that these re- 
ports were true, I 
called upon President 
Scott and found him presiding at a meeting of 
the State Board of Agriculture. He met me in 
the ante-room (^ 202) and I advised him that, 
from the best information that I could get, 
there were a great many cattle in the show 
older than the entries would indicate. I asked 
him to bring the matter before the board and 
have them take the initiatory steps to ascertain 
the truth of these reports. He said to me that 
the proper way to get it before the board was by 
protest. I replied that it was not proper to put 
that responsibility upon the exhibitors, and of- 
fered to place the animals I bad on exhi])ition 
under any test that the board might see fit to 
make, and put myself and herd under any ex- 
amination that they might direct. Mr. Scott, 
however, called my attention to this section : 
'In case of protest, notice must be given to the 
superintendent of the department before or 
during the examination of the animal or article 
protested, and a written statement setting forth 
the reasons for protesting, verified by affidavit, 
must be filed with the secretary on the day that 
the notice is given.' 

"After leaving Mr. Scott I met Mr. J. H. 
Sanders of the 'Breeders' Gazette,' and called 
his attention to the fact that entries of animals 



were made under their actual ages, and said 
to him that I bad just come from Mr. Scott, 
to whom I had given notice of the fact, and 
asked him (Sanders) to use his influence to 
see that examinations were made to see if such 
fraud existed, and if so to see that it was ex- 
posed, to which proposition he gave his assent, 
and said that he would do all that he could in 
the matter. Nothing was done by the board. 
Mr. Sanders at an early day became the 
medium through which a cane was presented 
to Messrs. D. M. Moninger and J. D. Gillette, 
Shorthorn exhibitors at this show. 

"I had determined two years ago that this 
matter of entering animals under their ages 
should be exposed. A year ago my health was 
such that I was not able to attend the exhibi- 
tion, but of the animals tliat were slaughtered 
that year the mouths were all preserved and 
properly labeled and given to the secretary of 
the board, by him taken to Springfield. These 
showed that the Shorthorns were of a greater 
age than the Herefords. The secretary says 
that he sent them to his house to be boiled for 
the jnirpose of taking the flesh from the bones 
and thus putting them in a shape for preserva- 
tion. This process destroyed them and their 
identity. I have only to say in reference to it 
that this being the true version of their de- 
struction it showed a want of judgment. I had 
in the course of the last year given notice that 
I should make special efforts to expose any 
fraud that should be made by entering cattle 
under their actual ages. Wishing, however, to 
take no advantage of the board, or of the ex- 
hibitors, I thus gave President Scott notice of 
the fact that fraudulent entries were made, and 
called the attention of Mr. Sanders, the editor 
of the leading Shorthorn organ, to the fact, 
and there rested the case until the last day but 
one of the show, when I called President Scott's 
attention again to the fact that Mr. D. M. 
Moninger, of Galvin, Iowa, had a steer entered 
as a yearling, called the 'Champion of Iowa,' 
and numbered in their catalogue as 113, which 
was a long three-year-old or over, and cited to 
him the fact, that for the age, he should have 
but two permanent teeth, while in fact he had 
six; and that, besides this error, there were 
others that were much older than they were 
entered for. He again called my attention to 
the fact that it was a duty of the exhibitor dis- 
satisfied to come before the board with a pro- 
test, as specified in Section 5, (|[203) hereto- 
fore quoted. I advised him that I did not come 
before the board as a protestor, and called his 
attention to Section 12, which reads as follows: 

" 'Awarding committees are instructed that 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



307 



if tliey liave good reason to helicVL' that any cx- 
liiliitor, by falso entry or otlierwise, attempts 
to deceive the eonmiittee or the i)ui)lic and ob- 
tain an award by misrepresentation, they shall 
report the fact at once to the superintendent of 
the department, who shall report the same to 
the board, who may expel such exhibitor for 
fraud for at least two years.' He declined to 
take any action excei^t J should come to him 
as prescribed in Section 5. 

"I then went to the Hon. John P. Reynolds, 




•¥215 
FIG 12. TEETH AT 2 YEARS AND C MONTHS. 

a member of the lioard, and called his attention 
to these facts, and to the fact that I had seen 
the president and he declined to take any ac- 
tion, and that I should bring the matter before 
the Hereford Society, which was to meet that 
evening, and ask of them to take some definite 
action in reference to these frauds. He after- 
wards .saw Jlr. C. M. Culbertson and referred 
to the conversation 1 had had with him, and 
asked of Mr. Culbertson that the Hereford So- 
ciety should take no action, and that he would 
see that an investigation was made into these 
facts. In the evening of this day at a meet- 
ing of the Hereford Society I brought up the 
fact of this steer in particular, and stated that 
there were many other entries in the show that 
were fraudulent, and asked what' action might 
be taken on the merits of these entries. Mr. 
Culbertson then reported the request of Jlr. 
Key nobis that no action should lie taken, and 
that he would endeavor to have an investigation 
made in reference to the charges as to the 
fraudulent entries of the Jloninger steers. At 
the meeting of the board on the following day 
the matter was brought up. As I understood, 
I'resident Scott opposed the action being taken 
for the reason that it had not come before the 
board in the form and manner prescribed by 
the rules, to-wit : by protest of a competing ex- 
hibitor. This view appears to have prevailed, 
and no action was taken to ascertain aires of the 



steers on exhil)itiou at this show. The proba- 
bilities are that but for this promise of Mr. 
Reynolds the Hereford Society would have 
taken some definite action to determine the 
ages of the Moninger steers and others. The 
Hereford Society owed it to themselves to 
secure a thorough investigation as to the ages 
of the cattle on exhibition. It was generally 
understood among the exhiintors that the Short- 
horns were entered under their actual ages. Mr. 
Moninger's cattle in particular were examined 
in comparison with other cattle in the show, es- . 
pecially with the Herefords. 

"This was known as well by some members 
of the board as by the exhibitors at the show. 
In my interview with Mr. Scott I took the 
ground that it was the board's business to pro- 
tect the exhibitors, and that they had no right 
to compel the exhibitors to protect themselves. 
Following these efforts to get justice from the 
board, I found that two of Moninger's steers 
had been butchered and three cattle exTiibited 
by Messrs. Groff, of Canada, had also been 
slaughtered by Messrs. Eastland & Duddles- 
tcn. These were 111 and 113 of the exhibition 
catalogue; 111 known as 'Grinnell' and 11.3 as 
'Tom Brown.' The others were 1.5, 17 and 18 
of the exhibition catalogue, and were slaugh- 
tered by Mr. Ford. These teeth I took before 
the State Board at its meeting on the second 
Tuesday in January; first in an interview with 
Messrs. Scott and Reynolds at Mr. Scott's 
rooms in the Leland House, Springfield, and 
afterwards the full _ 

board at the agricul- 
tural rooms in the 
State House. The 
indications as to the 
age of these animals 
was discussed as 
shown by these 
teeth, and after- / 
wards put in form, '■^' 
formally charging 
fraud upon the ex- 
hil)itors, as per the 
statements herewith, 
and with the report ■"'5 
of the committee, fig. 13. teeth at 3 years. 
Hon. J. P. Rey- 
nolds, J. Irving Pearce and John Virgin. 

"This is substantially the case as it pro- 
gressed. I was desirous that the board should 
know these facts, and hoped that when it was 
brought before them they would recognize the 
necessity of taking action on the information. 
With the same hope in view, the matter was 
brou'dit to them on the last dav but one of the 




308 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 




FIG. 14. TEETH AT 4 YEARS. 



show; and still with the same hope, action was 
deferred by the Hereford Society, and with 
the same hope I brought th'e proof as exhibited 
by the teeth of these five animals to Messrs. 
Scott and Reynolds individually and before 
going before the board. I had no doubt that 
when the matter was fully presented to the 
board they would take the facts as the 
l>asis upon which to start an investigation to 
determine whether the frauds had been com- 
mitted or not. I confess to some surprise that 
the committee named should have made a report 
that would carry 
the impression that 
if I wished to 
bring this matter to 
a test it should come 
in shape of a protest 
as the cattle were 
brought into the 
ring for exhibition. 
It is true that I had 
the right to make 
a protest as suggest- 
ed by the committee, 
but it was not at all 
obligatory upon me 
to do it. It is true 
that the board have a rule that requires of the 
judges if they think an exhibitor by false entry 
or otherwise has attempted to commit a fraud, 
shall report it to the superintendent of the 
cattle department, and he shall report it to the 
board, and they may expel such exhibitor from 
exhibiting for two years, but this would not be 
supposed to confine the board in taking cog- 
nizance of fraud to these two processes. 

"I prepared engravings of the teeth, which 
are recognized by long-established authorities as 
indicating very closely the age of cattle, at dif- 
ferent periods of their existence, and with these 
engravings the views of Prof. Youatt's History 
of British Cattle, which was published in 1834. 
He says at page 279, in reference to the rings on 
the horns indicating the age: 'These rings, 
proving the first growth of the horns at the 
base, have been considered as forming a crite- 
rion by which to determine the age of the ox. 
At three years old the first one is usually ob- 
served. At four years old, two are seen, and so 
on, one being added each succeeding year. Thus 
is deduced the rule that if two were added 
to the number of rings the age of the 
animal would be given. These rings, however, 
arc perfectly distinct only in the cows. They 
do not appear in the ox until he is five years 
old, and often in the bull they are either not 
seen until five or thev cannot be traced at all. 



These rings are not all distinct even in the cow. 
The three-year or first may be so, but then 
comes a succession or irregularities of surface 
that can scarcely be said to be rings, and which 
it is impossible to coimt. Another circumstance 
which must also be taken into account, is that, 
the heifer goes to the bull when she is two years 
old or a little before; after that time "there 
is an immediate change in the horn and the 
first ring appears, so under the rule a three- 
year-old would carry the mark of a four-year- 
old. To this may be added that after the beast 
is six or seven years old these rings are so 
irregular in their appearance, and so little to 
be depended upon, that the age indicated I)y 
the two horns is not always the same. I have 
repeatedly seen a difference of one year, and 
in some instances I could not make the horns 
agree by two years at least. Further, regard- 
ing this process of nature, it is far too irregular 
for any certain dependence to be placed upon 
it; it is a mere general rule with far too. many 
exceptions. There is also a certain instrument 
called the rasp, the use of which has been said 
to have made many an arm ache a little before 
a large cattle fair. What human being can tell 
whether the ring farthest from the head has 
or has not been removed, or whether the second 
may not have followed the first? If the rasp 
is fine and gently used, and a little dirt with 
or without soap is rubbed over the part, there 
is nothing to tell tales, except the rather too 
great smoothness of the horns thereabouts, and 
this is said to be obviated by giving the whole 
of the horn a smooth and polished appearance. 
We have never 
liked these small, 
smooth, polished 
horns. That art 
had been at work 
no one could deny, 
and we were un- 
charitable enough 
to suspect that the 
removal was 
oftencr employed 
in the removal of a 
defect than in the 
heightening of a srzi 
beauty. Dealers are fig. 
not so bad as horse 
merchants, but strange stories have been told 
of them. We are less scrupulous in describ- 
ing this deception because we shall presently 
speak of a method of judging cattle where 
no roguery can lead us astray.' This is 
Prof. Youatt's view of the unreliability of 
judging the age of cattle by the horns. 'As 




TEETH AT 5 YEARS. 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



309 



to till' teeth,' he says, 'I'ar surer marks are 
])rcsente(l in the teeth, ami where there can be 
littk' (leei'j)tion from the hands of deak'rs (or 
exhiliitors), for their interest wouUl generally 
had tiiem to give a more youthful appearance 
than nature has allowed.' (I have preferred 
to commence with the ages of the calf as indi- 
cated by tile teeth, although these have not an 
(Special hearing upon the question which in- 
duced the presentation of these evidences.) 
"Youatt says: 'The month i)f the uew-horn 




FIG. IG. TEETH OF SHORTHORN "CANADIAN CHA.M- 
PION." 
I (Exhibited as 3 years 6 moDths 15 days.) 

calf presents an uncertain appearance, depend- 
ing on the mother having exceeded or fallen 
short of the period of utero-gestation. Some- 
times there will be no vestige of teeth, but gen- 
erally either two central incisors will be pro- 
truding through the gums, or they will have 
arisen and attained considerable bulk. (Fig. 
1.) About the middle or close of the second 
week a tooth will be added on either side, mak- 
ing four incisors, as seen in Fig. 2. At the 
expiration of the third week the animal has si.x 
temporary incisors or front teeth, as seen in 
Fig. 3. At a month the full number of in- 
cisors will have appeared. (Fig. 4.) These 
arc the temporary or milk teeth. The enamel 
will be seen covering the whole crown of the 
tooth, but not entering into its composition, as 
in the horse; and it will be observed that the 
edge is exceedingly sharp. The only indication 
of increasing age will be the wearing down of 
these sharp edges, and the appearance of the 
bony substance of the tooth beneath. 

" 'The two corner teeth will scarcely be up 
before the center teeth will be a little worn. 
.\t two months the edge of the four central 
teeth will be evidently worn: yet, as tlie wear- 
ing is not across the to)i of the tooth, Imt a 
very little out of the line of its inner surface. 
the edge will remain nearly or quite as sliarp 
as before. At three months the six central 
t(-eth and at four mouths the whole set will 



be worn, and the central ones most of all, but 
after the second or third month the edge of 
the teeth will begin to wear down, and there will 
be more of a flat surface, with a In'oad line in 
the center. 

" 'About this time a change will begin, but 
very slowly to be seen. The central teeth will 
not only be worn down on their edges, but the 
whole of the tooth will appear diminished. A 
kind of absorption will have commenced. There 
will be a little but increasing space between 
the teeth. The face of the tooth will likewise 
be altered, the inner edge will be worn down 
more than the outer, and ttie mark will change 
from the appearance of a broad line to a 
triangular shape. The commencement of this 
alteration of form and diminution of size may 
he traced to about the fourth month. Our cut 
gives a representation of the two central in- 
cisors at eight months. (See Fig. 5.) The 
central teeth are now not above half the size 
of the next pair, and they are evidently les- 
sened. At eleven months the process of dimi- 
nution will have extended to the four central 
teeth in the manner represented in the cut. 
(See Fig. 6.) The vacuities between them will 
now be evident enough. Cut (Fig. 8) gives the 
mouth of a steer fifteen months old. Cut (Fig. 
9) gives the curious and diminutive appear- 
ance of all the incisors in a bullock eighteen 
months old. It would appear difficult for him 
to obtain sufficient food to support himself in 
good condition. It is somewhat so, and it may 
be in a great measure owing to these changes 
in the teeth and the difficulty of grazing that 
young beasts are subject to many disorders from 
seven to eight months upwards, and are so 
often out of condition. Thev contrive, however. 




FIG. 17. MOUTH OF "CANADIAN CHAMPION." 

to make up for this temporary disadvantage by 
diligence in feeding, and, to allude for a 
moment to another animal, we have known 
many a not only broken-mouthed but toothless 
ewe to thrive as well as any of the flock, for 
she was grazing all the day and ruminating all 
night. 

" 'At this time, eighteen months old, the 
corner teeth will not be more than half their 
natural size; the center ones will be yet more 
diminished, and, as the cut very plainly repre- 



310 



11 1 ST OK Y OF H EKE FORD CATTLE 



sents, the vacuities between them will be almost 
equal to the width of the teeth. The faces of 
the teeth also, such faces as remain, will be 
lengthened ; the triangular mark will diminish, 
principally in the central teeth, while a line, 
more or less deeply shaded, will begin to appear 
around the original mark. 

" 'All this, while the second set of teeth, the 
permanent ones, have been growing in their 
sockets and approaching towards the gums, but 
not, as is said to be generally the case with 
other animals and with the human being in 
particular, jJressing upon the roots of the milk 
teeth, and causing \]wm to be absorbed, until 
at length, losing all hold in the socket, they 
fall out. The process of absorption commences 
here in the whole milk tooth, and as much in 
the crown or body of it as at its root. 

" 'The process of general diminution seems 
now for a while retarded; it is confined to the 




'ir221 



FIG. 18. TEETH OF "KING OF THE WEST." 
(Exhibited as 3 years 7 months 15 days.) 

central teeth, and they gradually waste away 
until they are no larger in the body than crow 
quills. About the expiration of the second year, 
or a little before, the milk teeth are pushed 
out, or give way, and the two central perma- 
nent teeth appear.' I have here given Prof. 
Youatt on the growth and absorption of 
the teeth generally termed calf teeth up 
to the time that the animal reaches two 
years old. Prof. Y''ouatt says: 'It will be 
seen here that about the expiration of the 
second year the milk teeth are pushed out 
and the central permanent teeth appear.' We 
wish our readers to note the process of teeth 
formation for the first two years of calf life. 
I have now reached a point where I begin to 
touch upon the teeth indications as to the age 
of cattle entitled to enter for exhibition at the 
Fat Stock Shows. 



"The illustration (Fig. 11) gives the mouth 
of a two-year-old. 'The two permanent central 
incisors are coming up, and the other six milk 
teeth remain. The bone front of the lower jaw 
is taken away in order that the alveoli, or cells 
for the teeth, may be exposed. The second pair 
of incisors have almost attained their proper 
form. The third pair are getting ready, but the 
jaw is not yet sufficiently widened for the de- 
velopment of the fourth pair. The process of 
absorption will still be suspended with regard 
to the two outside pairs of teeth, but will be 
rapid with regard to the second pair, and a 
little before the commencement of the third 
year they will disappear.' 

"The illustration (Fig. 13) represents a 
four-year-old beast with four permanent in- 
cisors and four milk teeth. Now the remaining 
milk teeth will diminish very fast, ijut they 
show no disposition to give way, and at four 
years old there will be six permanent incisors, 
and often apparently no milk teeth, but if the 
mouth is examined the tooth that should have 
disappeared and the tooth that is to remain 
until the next year are huddled close together 
and concealed behind the new permanent tooth. 
Thov often are a source of annoyance to the 
animal, and the tooth whose turn it was to go 
must be drawn. 

"It is proper here to state that a four-year- 
old mouth is as represented (in Fig. 1-4). It 
contains six permanent incisors and two milk 
teeth. Now this latter engraving (Fig. 1-1) 
corresponds with the mouth of Mr. Moninger's 
steer called 'Champion of Iowa,' entered as a 
yearling, or 715 days old. At the commence- 
ment of the fifth year the eight permanent in- 
cisors will be up, but the corner ones will be 
small. 

"Another illustration (Fig. 15) gives a five- 
year-old mouth, or perhaps one a month or two 
over five years; so that the beast cannot be 
called full-mouthed, namely all the incisors, 
until it is six years old. 'It will be seen, how- 
ever, in this mouth of five years, that the two 
central pairs are beginning to be worn down at 
the edges, and that in a flat direction or some- 
what inclining inside.' 

"I will not follow Mr. Y'ouatt further, as I 
reach the full limit in which cattle should be 
exhibited for premiums at this show, and the 
further age is exhibited by absorption and teeth 
growing longer and having the appearance of 
being longer with spaces between ; that is, there 
commences from this time on a gradual absorp- 
tion and wearing away of the teeth. 

"Keferring to the December, 1883, 'Breeders' 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



311 



Journal,' it will Ix' noticed that H. & I. Groff 
ontcR'd an animal. No. 15, of the exhibition 
catalogue, as ilrojiped May the STth, 1880, and 
another, Xo. 17, May 29," 1879. and No. 18 as 
April the 19th, 1879. This makes No. 15 two 
years si.x months and two days old. I present 
a cut (Fig. 20), which shows the mouth of this 
animal, 'Young Aberdeen,' .stall 15, and I be- 
lieve him — Prof. Youatt being the authority — 
to be five years old. I also present a cut ( Fig. 
21) showing the outside of 'Young Aber- 
deen's' teeth, and that absorption has already 
begun. I also present cut (Fig. IC), which is 
taken from the mouth of the steer 'Canada 
Champion,' who stood in stall No. 17 in the ex- 
hibition catalogue, and a cut (Fig. 17), which 
shows the outside of the same mouth and from 
the same steer 'Canada Champion.' 

"Another cut (Fig. 18) was from the mouth 
of the steer entered in the exhibition catalogue 
as No. 18. One half of the mouth was destroyed 
in slaughtering, but the other half answered 
equally well as though the whole were present. 
The cut (Fig. 19) shows the outside of the 
same mouth. Nos. 17 and 18, by referring to 
the exhibition catalogue, were entered as fol- 
lows: No. 17, as dropped May 29, 1879, and as 
1,265 days old, or three j'ears six months and 
five days old; No. 18, dropped April 19, 1879, 
1,305 days old, or three years seven months 
and fifteen days old. My next cut (Fig. 22) 
is the mouth of the steer entered in the exhibi- 
tion catalogue as 111, and as dropped February, 
1880, and as 1,011 days old, or two years nine 
months and 21 days. ' Another cut (Fig. 23) 
shows the front view of the teeth of this ani- 
mal, both cuts showing the full mouth of eight 
teeth. Cut (Fig. 24) is from the steer entered 
as No. 113, dropped August 28, 1879, and 1,174 
days old, or three years three months and four 
days old. Fig. 25 shows the outside of the 
same mouth. Figures 22 and 23 were from the 




mouth of the steer that Mr. Moninger called 
'Grinnell.' The Figures 24 and 25 are from 
the mouth of the steer Mr. Moninger called 
'Tom Brown.' From the outside view of 'Tom 
Brown's' mouth it will be perceived that the 
teeth begin to show space between them, giving 
them a long appearance, and showing how ab- 



sorption has commenced. Now I wish to call 
attention to the exhibit of T. L. Miller's, as 
shown on page 715 in the December number of 
this journal. The Messrs. Groff's 'Young 
Aberdeen,' No. 15 in the catalogue, two j'ears 
and six months old, has a full mouth. Nos. 78, 
79, 80 and 81 (Miller's exhibit) are two years 
eight months old, and two years seven months 
old. Each of these animals (Herefords) had 




ST 2 2 3^-^ 



FIG. 20. TEETH OF SHORTHORN "YOUNG ABER- 
DEEN." 
(Exhibited as 2 years 6 months 2 days.) 



only four permanent teeth. They are entered 
as practically the same age as Nos. 15 and 111 
(Shorthorns), which had full mouths of eight 
teeth. 

"Referring again to Nos. 83 and 84 (Here- 
fords), T. L. Miller's exhibit, one three years 
eight months, and the other three years nine 
months old, reaching well up towards four 
years old, had Init six permanent teeth each, 
while 17, 18 and 113 (Shorthorns) had a full 
mouth of eight teeth, and a clear indication 
that absorption had already commenced. I 
wish to call attention still further to the fact 
that the following numbers in the exhibition 
catalogue, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89 and 90 (Here- 
fords), all reached up well toAvards four years 
old, no one of which had but six permanent 
teeth. Mr. Moninger's 'Champion of Iowa' 
(Shorthorn) had a mouth corresponding to 
Fig. 14, while No. 74 (Hereford) of the exhibi- 
tion catalogue, dropped Dec. 1, 1880, 714 days 
old, or one year eleven months and twenty- 
four days; and entry 22, dropped Nov. 30, 
1880, 715 days old, or one year eleven months 
and twenty-five days old; neither of these had 
but two permanent teeth. From the indica- 
tions of teeth development in many animals I 
have already examined, where the Jurth of the 
animals was recorded at the time of the birth, 
I find very little variation from the authority of 
Prof. Youatt, laid down fifty years ago. Sev- 
eral of the animals that were exhibited by 



312 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Mr. Moninger and others in the Shorthorn 
interest were examined, and from the teeth 
indications, sliow the entries to be as 
fraudulent as those presented by the exhi- 
bition of these cuts. I ask the careful at- 
tention of painstaking and experienced cat- 
tlemen, who keep a correct record of the 
births of their cattle, and I ask of these 
men, if they will give me the facts that 
will prove or disprove the correctness of Prof. 
Youatt's authorities. I shall strike off an edi- 
tion of these cuts, and a form for entries, 
showing the ages from two to four years old. 




Fro. 21. OUTSIDE VIEW OF MOUTH OF "YOUNG 
ABERDEEN." 



as recorded at the time of birth, and as indi- 
cated by the teeth. In figuring the years, 
months and days of the ages of the above 
steers, I have taken the age in days and divided 
it by thirty, to give the number of months, 
and that by twelve to give the number of years. 
I propose to follow these issues until the ex- 
hibitors at the Fat Stock Show shall each and 
all of them come with honest ages, honestly 
entered. 

"I propose to follow these until the State 
Board shall not rest on technicalities and com- 
pel exhibitors to protect themselves; I expect 
to follow it until the acting president, for the 
time being, dare act upon information, and 
investigate fraud by whomsoever perpetrated. 
I expect to follow these issues until it will be 
disreputable for any exhibitor to carry away 
funds not honestly obtained. I expect to fol- 
low these until it shall be disreputable to par- 
ticipate in cane presentations to exhibitors 
who come before this show in a fraudulent 
manner. From this on I shall not be an ex- 
hibitor at this show until these things are 
accomplished, but I do recognize that the show 
is one of the most important ever inaugurated 
in this or any other country, and I shall do 
all that is within my power to make it re- 
spectable, reputable and authoritative. I asked 
some years ago an English Hereford breeder, 
why they did not make a more reputable show 
at Smithfield, in London, England. His reply 
was that the show was so strongly under Short- 
horn influence that there was no chance to 
show successfully. I hope that this influence 
is broken at this show. At any rate, I moved 



at the Hereford Society meeting in November, 
that $3,000 be raised to be offered in premiums 
to the Hereford exhibitors at this show. I 
wish to say that I believe this sum will be 
raised; Hereford breeders owe it to the ex- 
hibitors to see that they are properly compen- 
sated for their labor and expense in fitting for 
this show. The successful exhibitor reaps a 
benefit by the honors he may obtain at this 
show, still it is true, nevertheless, that breed- 
ers, as a whole, receive a benefit. No one 
knows better than myself the expense and care 
that there is in preparing and going through 
with a successful exhibit. While I am not an 
e.xhibitor, I shall expect to contribute freely 
for this purpose; when I am an exhibitor, if 
the time shall come again, I shall expect then 
my share of contribution and hope that I may 
be the recipient of at least a portion of the 
fund. It is hardly to be expected that Here- 
ford exhibitors can show yearlings against 
Shorthorn three-year-olds, or Hereford two- 
year-olds against Shorthorn four or five-year- 
olds, or Hereford three-year-olds against 
Shorthorn five or six-year-olds; in the past 
Hereford exhibitors had this to do, at least 
they had a large difference against them. 
With the State Board composed of Shorthorn 
breeders and very largely under Shorthorn in- 
fluence the exhibitor who proposes to expose 
the workings of these influences can hardly be 
expected to receive impartial treatment. I 




TEETH OF SHORTHORN STEER "GRIN- 
NELL." 
(Exhibited as 2 years 9 months 21 days.) 



recognized this long ago, and feel that I can 
meet these issues more effectively by not being 
an exhibitor than by being one. I am not dis- 
posed to make any promise at present as to 
what I may or may not do. I do expect, how- 
ever, to do all I can to place the Herefords in 



II I S '1' () i; Y () i-' II I-: 1{ K V () I? T) C A T T L E 



313 



the jiositioii uliiili they aio t'lititlud to, the 
leading lit't'f piodiiccrs of tlie world. 
"I am youns tndy, 

••'I'. \j. MlLLKIi." 

Diivftly al'tiT thi' Fat Stock Show (1882), 
we found the following statements in sub- 
stance in several of the Chicago papers: 

"The Illinois State Veterinarian, Dr. N. H. 
Paaren, was called upon to decide the question 
raised during the Fat Stock Show by Mr. T. 
L. Miller, of Beecher, as to the age of some of 




1220 
FIG. 23. OUTSIDE VIEW OF JIOUTH OF "GRINNELL." 

the steers exhibited by Mr. D. M. Moninger, of 
Iowa. Dr. Paaren decided, after a careful ex- 
amination, that there was in the condition of 
the mouths of tlie animals nothing to prove 
that they were older than Mr. Jloninger stated. 
He considered that a system of feeding which 
would make a steer less than two years old 
weigh nearly a ton would hasten the develop- 
ment of the mouth in a corresponding degree. 
In this view he is supported by a number of 
eminent veterinarians." 

Hardly believing that Dr. Paaren could 
have examined the steers, and given as decided 
an opinion as this article would indicate, I 
wrote him the following letter: 

Beecher, 111., Dee. 2, 1883. 
Dr. X. H. Paaren, 

My Dear Sir: I notice by the Chicago "Trib- 
une" that you examined some of the steers of 
D. M. Moninger as to their ages, and that you 
found nothing to prove they were older than 
Mr. Moninger entered them for. Does the ar- 
ticle referred to in the "Tribune" properly rep- 
resent your action and your views? If you will, 
be so kind as to advise me of the fact, and at 
whose solicitation you examined them, and 
when, and which of the steers you examined. 
The ages of these steers will have the fullest 
canvass, and I am having cuts jireparcd repre- 
senting the teeth of cattle from birth to ten 
years old, as given by the best authorities, and 
I propo.se to verify this testimony by actual 
comparison with living animals from a large 
range of herds in this country and England. 
You are probably aware that Mr. ^foninger 
entered a bullock T15 dnvs old. and that Mr. 



Potts entered another 715 days old. Mr. Mon- 
inger's steer had six teeth fully developed, 
while Mr. Pott's steer had two. You will rec- 
ognize that Mr. Pott's steer has a mouth cor- 
responding with the age he gave him, while 
Mr. M.'s had a mouth that Youatt, on page 
'■^22, gives to a four-year-old, and that Youatt 
and Martin give to a three-years past, and 
that Allen, in his American Cattle, gives to a 
four-year-old. Very trulv vours, 

" t. L. Miller. 

I received from him in reply the following: 

Chicago, 111., Dec. 8, 1882. 
T. L. Miller, Esq., Beecher, 111., 

Dear Sir: Your favor of December 2d, ad- 
dressed to the care of the Prairie Farmer Com- 
pany, just received. I only call at the above 
office once a week which accounts for delay in 
receiving your letter. 

In regard to your question about the age of 
certain bullocks, at whose solicitation I ex- 
amined them, and when and which of the 
steers I examined, I have only this to say: 
Having accidentally learned that a contro- 
versy existed in regard to the age of certain 
animals exhibited at the recent Fat Stock 
Show in Chicago, my curiosity led me to have 
some of Mr. Moninger's steers, said to be sub- 
jects of controversy, pointed out to me, and 
with the assistance of a bystander I examined 
their mouths as to their age. In two of the 




^227 



24. TEETH OF SHORTHORN "TO.M BROWN.' 
(Exhibited as 3 years 3 months 4 days.) 



animals examined I found but one year's dif- 
ference in their age; and this is, in fact, all 
that 1 know about them. I know neither of 
these animals by name, number, or otherwise: 
furthermore, Mr. Moninger was not present at 
the time; my examination was not made at 
that gentleman's instigation; in fact, I am 
not acquainted with him and never spoke to 



314 



II I S T () m- OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



hiiu to my knowledge, and he knew nothing 
ahout my intention to examine any of his 
stock. I repeat it — the examination of said 
bullocks was entirely a private matter with me,, 
not intended for publication or use in any 
way, and it is much against my wish to be 
drawn into the controversy in a matter with 
which I had nothing whatever to do, officially 



or otherwise. That I may not be misunder- 
stood in this matter, I will say in conclusion, 
that I should have had no objection to exam- 
.ine the said animals in the presence of both 
you and Mr. Moninger; in fact, would have 
preferred that to my present position. 
Yours respectfully, 

N. H. PaarexV, M. D. 




sr228 

FIG. 25. OUTSIDE VIEW OF MOUTH OF "TOM 
BROWN." 



il 1 S T U li Y F li K U E i^' U K D C A T T L E 



lii5 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

1I205A Hereford Items in the Early Eighties 



The decade ending 1890 saw great aetivity 
in tlie Hereford interest, and if full extracts 
omild be made from the agricultural and stock 
journals of that time, they would make good 
contemporaneous history. 

We cannot hope to give a full account of all 
the movements of Herefords in those days, 
but will give some extracts from the jiress of 
that time. 

HEREFORDS WANTED IN AMERICA. 

At the Shorthorn Convention, held at La- 
fayette, Ind., 18S0, Judge Jones rejiorted that 
Shorthorns were preferred over Jerseys, Here- 
fords and other breeds in England. Did the 
Judge get this information from Shorthorn 
breeders in JIngland? Did he learn, while 
there, that there were some 500 head of Here- 
fords bought for exportation to America, and 
that among the purchasers were Mr. Cochrane, 
of Canada; Mr. Earl, Mr. Raub, Mr. Fowler 
and Mr. Sample, all of Lafayette, Ind., men of 
large wealth, of large experience in the cattle 
business as packers, graziers and feeders? Did 
he learn that C. M. Culbertson, of Chicago, a 
packer of thirty or forty years' experience, and 
a large grazier and feeder, and that Mr. Ben 
Hershey, a man of large experience and great 
wealth, and one who owns a large herd of Jer- 
seys in Iowa, were large purchasers? That 
T. L. Miller, of some reputation and experi- 
ence as a Hereford breeder, was a large pur- 
chaser? That Messrs. Simpson & Gudgell, of 
Missouri, were there purchasing Herefords? 
All of these from this country. Did he hear of 
any Shorthorns being l)ought for America? 
The Judge may say that these were Americans, 
and he was saying what Englishmen preferred. 
We will quote what the "^Tark Lane Express" 
says: "There are few graziers in England who 
would buy Shorthorn bullocks if they could 
get Herefords." — The Breeders' Journal. 

ECONOMY OF KEEP. 

The Kentucky "Live Stock Record" said that 
five Hereford bullocks, three years old or over, 



could be fed where four Shorthorn bullocks 
could. 

HEREFORDS WANTED ON THE PLAINS. 

The "National Live Stock Journal" said : 
"Breeders of Shorthorn cattle may not safely 
shut their eyes against the fact that the Here- 
fords have made tremendous strides in public 
favor within the past five years, and that such 
of our ranchmen, on the western plains, as 
have tried them, almost unanimously give 
them the preference over the Shorthorns, be- 
cause, as they express it, they are 'better wrest- 
lers,' that is, they are be'tter adapted to the 
conditions under which cattle are compelled to 
exist on these plains than are the Shorthorns. 
This, we feel called upon to say, is the almost 
universal verdict of the ranchmen that we have 
met, in the past two years, and we have met 
very many of them." 

HEREFORDS AT LONDON. 

The "Mark Lane Express" of England, in 
noticing the letter of a Shorthorn breeder, 
written from England, and appearing in the 
"Breeder's Gazette," saying that London sales- 
men could not sell Hereford bullocks in that 
market, says of the writer that it is no wonder 
that he did not give his name, and that the 
only difficulty the London salesmen experience 
with regard to Hereford bullocks, is in getting 
enough of them ; and that, as grass- fed beef, 
there is nothing that comes into London that 
can touch the Hereford. We should not be at 
all surprised if the writer of the article re- 
ferred to was a resident in or near Chicago, 
instead of being a steward and judge at Smith- 
field. If he had held the two positions, then 
the charge that has been made of Shorthorn 
influence in the management of that show has 
this to support the charge. — Breeder's Journal. 

PEDIGREE CRAZE. 

The "National Live Stock Journal" struck a 
blow at the Shorthorn pedigree craze and prac- 
tically endorsed Mr. Sotham's teachings at this 
time by saying: 



316 



HISTORY OF H E R E F O R I) C A T T h E 



"Time was when tlie su})posed to be expert 
in pedigrees would walk about, the sale ring, 
catalogue in hand, and when a magnificent 
specimen of the Shorthorn race, compact, ro- 
bust, smooth, blocky and vigorous was led in, 
would shake his head ominously and say to his 
neighbor, in a patronizing way: 'Oh, yes, she 
is a grand cow certainly; but look here — ' and 
away back, some six or perhaps ten generations 
removed, he would put his finger on the name 
of Mrs. Motte, and say: 'Seventeen.' That 




RARE SOVEREIGN (10499) 81US. 
Bred by Eaii of Coventry. 

would settle it; and the grand cow, a prize 
winner herself, and descended from a race of 
prize winners, would be knocked down at $150. 
And then, when a little long-legged, effeminate 
looking heifer was led into the ring, wheezing 
and coughing, half-dead with tuberculosis, the 
expert's eye would brighten and he would sing 
out: 'Here's royalty for you! Look at that 
pedigree— perfectly straight, without an out- 
cross,' and the devotees of fashion would vie 
with each other in their eagerness to show 
that they knew what they were about, until 
the worthless beast was carried well up into 
the thousands of dollars. They bought this 
Shorthorn because she was straight Bates, and 
rejected that because she had this or that out- 
cross five or ten generations back, although of 
the two the latter was much the better animal. 
A good pedigree is one which commences with 
a good animal standing before you, and runs 
back through an ancestry consisting of good 
animals only; and the better the individual 
and the longer the pedigree made of such in- 
dividuals only, the better the pedigree." 

HEREFORD BREEDERS SHOW UNTIRING ENERGY. 

(p06A) 

Mr.Coburn,at that time an active Shorthorn 
partisan and supporter, wrote as follows : 
To the Editor of the "Breeders' Gazette": 

The breeders of Shorthorns have not, at any 



one of the tour Fat Stock Shows held at Chi- 
cago, been represented at all as the numbers 
and well known merits of their cattle would 
justify. The Shorthorns have been frequently 
beaten by the Ilerefords — of which there are 
comparatively few — not, as we think, because 
the Herefords are so much better in any re- 
spect, but, first, because they are valuable cat- 
tle, and secondly, but not least, because they 
are in the hands of a few men who believe in 
them, and who are energetic, rich and intensely 
aggressive. They have money — some of them 
money made in other than the cattle business 
— and they know how to use it along in obtain- 
ing the choicest specimens of their favorite 
breed, or to combine it with wind, oil cake 
and printer's ink, in the exact proportions that 
will best accomplish their ends — viz., capture 
the prizes from the Shorthorns and persuade 
people to buy the Herefords. They have had a 
goodly share of success, and they have earned 
it, not by having a breed of cattle pre-emi- 
nently the best, but by what the world calls 
their enterprise; something that has much to 
commend it, especially when something besides 
wind is to be in it. We like the "untiring 
energy" feature of their methods, and like 
their cattle; but what we started out to say 
was that the Shorthorn breeders must be seized 
of that same spirit and go to work, not neces- 
sarily to make anything new, but make the 
most of the material already in their hands, or 
at future Fat Stock Shows they will be left 
so far out in the cold that nothing less than a 
search-warrant will find them in time for the 
next round-up. Unless they rouse themselves 
to a sense of the true condition of these affairs; 
to the fact that, while they have been resting 
on their old-time honors and laurels, the other 
fellows have made ready to retire with their 
baggage, cups, cake and all the fresher laurels 
and honors, they are, indeed, to be commis- 
erated. 

The zeal and spirit possessed and displayed 
by the Hereford men in the last few years, 
backed up by plenty of money and a few good 
animals, will win whether the Herefords are 
generally the be.st cattle or not. The owners of 
Shorthorns owe it to themselves and to the 
great interest they represent to make a proper 
effort to maintain, at least, the fair fame and 
name of their life-long favorites. It can be 
easily done, and there will be no better time to 
make a beginning in that direction than now. 
The competitors are already in active motion 
with a view to coming out first best. What 
can the Shorthorn men say in res]jonse? 

There ought to be three hundred model 



HISTORY OF IIEKKFOKD CATTLE 



31^ 



Sliortliorn.s, rcjiR'sciiting the herds of twenty 
different states, at the Chicago Show of 1883, 
and five Inmch-ed in 1883. 

F. I). CoiiURX, 

Topeka, Kan. 

AMUUOSE STEVENS SAYS "OLD WAY's THE BEST." 

T!io "Kentucky I^ive Stock Kecord," in an 
article on Cattle in America, says: "Now, what 
are our resources for the great improvement of 
cattle ? Mainly it rests with the Shorthorns. Of 
the improved breeds fitted to add to the beef 
production, he is now the chief one. He exists 
in so much larger numbers than does any other 
breed, that he must of necessity be the chief 
source of reliance in improvement, even if it 
be claimed that another race was better. But 
no other race has shown equal value in im- 
proving inferior cattle. Seventy years since, 
the Shorthorn was only known in a very lim- 
ited region of his own country — England. 
Xow ho dominates in it everywhere, every 
other race as the source of improvement of our 
inferior cattle. He has been in America, in 
forty to fifty years, the chief source of im- 
provement of our inferior cattle. He has in 
this country at present such a lead as an im- 



jirover that no child to-day born will see his 
jiosition diminished 

"But there is a movement to introduce more 
largely the Hereford as a source of improve- 
ment. There will, this year of 1880, be not 
less than five hundred of them imported to 
America. We are glad to see this. We shall 
have the Hereford put alongside the Short- 
horn in some measure, here, to show their rela- 
tive value. Xo one who has seen Herefords 
will deny their great merit as beefmakers. But 
the question is, will they make head against 
the Shorthorn any better in America than they 
have in England? In the native home of the 
two races, the Shorthorn has almost already 
supplanted the Hereford as the source of im- 
])rovenient in market cattle. Can the Here- 
ford make head in America against the Short- 
horn, while he has failed to do so in his own 
country? We think not." .... 

Commenting on this, the "Breeder's Jour- 
nal" said : 

The editor of the "L. S. Record's" Cattle De- 
partment has been conversant with the means 
that have been used to give the Shorthorns 
popularity in England and America, and to cry 
down and write down every other breed from 




MISSOURI FAR.M SCENE. 
"Noontime." 



318 



HI ST OK Y OF HEREFOED CATTLE 



1834 to this time. He knows that Eev. H. 
Berry wrote what purported to be Youatt's 
History of English Cattle. He knows that 
Eev. Henry Berry was editor of the "Farmer's 
Magazine" of London, and a prominent Short- 
horn breeder at the same time. He knows thai 
at this time (1834) the impartial historian 




Propirty of the late C. S. Cross, Emporia. Kan. 

eoiild have found material in the record of the 
Herefords that would have placed them, in 
England, so far ahead of the Shorthorns that 
they (the Shorthorns) would not have a re- 
spectable second-rate position. He knows that 
the Shorthorn breeders were the active organ- 
izers of the Eoyal Agricultural Society of Eng- 
land in 1839, and it was organized for the jDur- 
pose of forwarding the Shorthorn interest. And 
he knows that it has been held and worked by 
the Shorthorn Ijreeders of England from then 
until now. He knows the New York fair was or- 
ganized in 1841 for the same purpose, and has 
been worked in that interest from then until 
now, and that for a large portion of that time 
he was an active worker in that interest in that 
society. He knows that from 1834, whenever 
the HereforcJ and Shorthorn should come into 
fair contest, whether in England or America, 
that the Hereford would take the first or top 
place. Very few men in America are so fa- 
miliar with the process by which the Short- 
horns have taken position in this country and 
England as Ambrose Stevens, cattle editor of 
the "Kentucky Live Stock Eecord"; and still, 
knowing these facts, he claims for them pre- 
eminence. There is not a Shorthorn breeder 
in Kentucky that dare bring their cattle to a 
test with the Herefords. [And the "Journal" 
might have added that Mr. Stevens was the 
editor of the revised and abridged American 
edition of Youatt.— T. L. M.] 



UEREFORDS SPREADING. 

The American "Cultivator" (1883) said: 

"Though the Hereford breed of cattle has 
not as yet been extensively introduced into this 
section of the country, its excellencies are com- 
manding the situation at many other 2)oints, 
notably in England, Australia, South America 
and in our western country. It is a matter of 
record that not only in the London market 
have they been quoted at from one to two cents 
a pound above the Shorthorns, but the record 
of the Smithfield show is, that the Hereford 
steer has a record over the Shorthorn, and the 
same record shows that the Hereford steer has 
made as good weights as the Shorthorn at any 
given age. And now the Bath and West of 
England Society has awarded the two cham- 
pion prizes for the best male and female in the 
show, to the Herefords. Coupling this with 
the fact that during the same record he has 
always brought better prices, and another es- 
tablished fact that he has always been a more 
economical feeder and grazier, is it not strange 
that the press and agricultural societies have 
not been more ready to encourage them? 

"A recent sale of one hundred Hereford 
bulls in England for shipment to the grazing 
regions of Buenos Ayres shows the estimation 
in which this famous stock is there held. The 
Herefords have made more rapid progress in 
public favor at the west in the last five years, 
than ever was made by any other breed of cat- 
tle in America in the same time. In Colorado 
and Wyoming there are several herds of from 
30,000 to 70,000 head, that are using all the 
Hereford bulls they can get, and already at the 
Union Stock Yards at Chicago and at St. Louis 
and Kansas City Stock Yards, these steers are 
commanding the top prices, while five years 
ago they were not known in these yards. In 
five years more they will be quoted at all the 
markets, as they have been in the London 
market in England for the last one hundred 
years or thereabouts. 

"The Hereford cattle are tough, hardy and 
thrive on a diet both in quality and quantity 
that would be unprofitable in the Shorthorns. 
The cattle are very large sized, make excellent 
beef, are fair milkers, especially when crossed 
with other kinds, and are withal quite 
handsome, being red bodied with white mark- 
ings and white face, the latter being an invari- 
able mark of the kind." 

BUTCHEKS REGULATE THE AMOUNT OF MEAT 
CONSUMED. 

The "Pittsburgh Stockman" is a good paper 



HIST R Y F U E R E F R D C A T T L E 



319 



for cattleiiH'n. Tliu follo\vin<; is fi-din its udI- 
iiinns (1880) : 

"Buteliors regulatu, to a gruater extent than 
most people imagine, the -amount of meat con- 
sumed in the city markets. Let the supplies 
of stock be light or liberal, they are in some 
way disposed of, without customers seeming to 
be stinted or overstocked. (Jiven the same 
number of families to supply, the retailer will 
work oil' one-half more meat on them at one 
time than another. The facts of the matter 
are about thus: The butcher goes to market 
and finds cattle scarce and high, and is satisfied 
that he cannot come out even on his ])urchases. 
But his trade must be supplied, and he calcu- 
lates his ne^ds, selects a few steers, and pre- 
pares to make a very little beef go a long ways; 
his customer calls for two or three pounds of 



number in a week of glutted markets. The 
heathen Chinee is not alone in his peculiarity 
■for ways that are dark, and for tricks that are 
vain.' " 

JUDGE JONES, THE DOUBTER (^207a). 

We took the following from the "Kansas 
Farmer" (1881), written by the Shorthorn 
breeder and advocate. Judge T. (_'. Jones, of 
Ohio: "Speaking of the demands for Here- 
fords in this country. Judge T. C. Jones, writ- 
ing to the 'London Live Stock Journal,' says 
that it is to be observed, in the first place, that 
it is of recent origin, that it cannot be predicted 
what the future of the business will be, or 
whether the Herefords will be so well adapted 
to the hardshi))s and privations of our wild 
ranges as now anticipated. The Hereford 




BAKNS AND FARMING LANDS. 
Weavergrace Farm of T. F. B. Sotham, ChiUicothe, Mo. 



meat, and the piece is intentionally cut a half 
pound lighter than ordered, and the buyer 
'makes it do.' Again he goes to market and 
finds it overstocked. C'attle are plenty and 
cheap, and he sees a good thing, buys heavily, 
and goes to work to dispose of the product. A 
])iece weighing two or three pounds is again 
wanted at the block, and by cutting a little 
thicker three or four pounds are handed over 
to the buyer, who again 'makes it do.' Three 
out of four customers will say nothing about 
the extra pound or two, and a skillful salesman 
will thus work off hundreds of pounds extra in 
a single day. The same tricks are employed in 
small stock. We have known a single butcher 
in this city, who usually kills sixty to seventy- 
five sheep in a week, to use nearly double that 



breed, like other improved wild breeds of Brit- 
ish cattle, has been much improved of late 
years, and will not endure the hardships it was 
compelled to undergo in some quarters fifty or 
a hundred years ago; and it is not likely that 
it will prove more profitable than crosses of 
the Shorthorn breed, under a system which al- 
lows a large percentage of the unimproved 
cattle of the plains to perish from hunger and 
the severity of the cold every winter. It is, 
moreover, believed by a majority of intelligent 
observers, that the range method of producing 
beef — barbarous alike in its influence upon 
man and beast — will prove an ephemeral busi- 
ness. The grass in these wild and unenclosed 
districts is scanty and really nutritious but a 
few months in the year, so that vast ranges 



320 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 




JOHN V. FARWELL. 
Chicago. 



are required — it is said from three to five acres 
— to graze a single slieep. Tlie most of the 
varieties being annuals, the re-seeding neces- 
sary is each year, of course, diminished by 
heavy stocking; we, therefore, have reports of 
increasing scarcity of grass in all the older 
districts. It is, iii fact, the general opinion of 
men best informed in regard to the system of 
beef production, that it has already reached its 
maximum.' " To which our "Breeder's Jour- 
nal" added : 
"Judge Jones will 
do well to get as 
well posted on 
Hcrefords as on 
Shorthorns, and 
he will then know 
that the Here- 
fords are doing 
well on the 
plains ; and that, 
while Shorthorns 
are dying, Here- 
fords are thriv- 
ing; and by rcfcr- 
ring to our 
September num- 
ber he will see 
that grade Here- 
fords from the plains are selling at $5. '25 per 
hundred pounds, while grade Shortliorns from 
the same range are selling at $3.60." 

WILLIAM WARFIELD's WARNINGS (^208a). 

The "National Live Stock Journal" published 
an article fnnn the pen of Mr. Warfield, of 
Lexington, Ky., the great Shorthorn breeder 
and advocate. ^Ir. Warfield, in ansM'ering his 
own inquiry, "Is the future of the Shorthorn 
interest to be a great one?" opens his article 
as follows: 

"That is a question which has been present- 
ing itself to my mind for solution over and 
over again during the last few months. Clearly 
its answer depends on many things. But all 
these many cluster about and depend on just 
one, namely, the conception which Shorthorn 
breeders have of what Shorthorn breeding is — 
what immediate purpose they have in prosecut- 
ing the work — to what ulterior end they make 
it tend. In other words, it is exceedingly plain 
that the future of the Shorthorn interest is 
now in a peculiarly serious sense, in the hands 
of Shorthorn breeders. It will become just 
what they make it become. And it is not so 
much energy that is now needed in them, as 
intelligence, wisdom, and above all, honesty — 



honesty to themselves and the interest in- 
trusted to their charge. 

"Breeders may determine that there is noth- 
ing but money, and money for them, to be got- 
ten out of Shorthorns. If so, the future of 
the interest is not a bright one. Men will 
begin to look at everything from the point of 
view of gambling; will, if possible, rouse fan- 
cies and fashions, for this color or this strain, 
which they can supply, and having roused 
them, will pander to them and lose no en- 
deavor to keep them at fever heat, and the end 
will be — the end of Shorthorns. Breeders in 
this case will be simply beasts of prey, preying 
on the community. Their interests ought not 
to succeed; and by the stern logic of history, 
which always works itself out, their prosperity 
will be feverish and very short-lived. If this 
is what the Shorthorn business is to be made, I 
for one, want none of it, and will he among 
the first to cry out upon it, and to help choke 
it out, like a noisome reptile. 

"Breeders may, however, and doubtless will 
(I have great confidence that they will) take 
another view of the matter. They may remcm- 
lier that beef is now the real staff of life. They 
may remember that America is to supply and 
is already beginning to supply the world with 
beef. They may remember that the Short- 
horn race has, by constant proving, been 
shown to be the best beef-producing race oC 
cattle, and that it has in it still further, per- 
haps indefinite, capabilities of improving in the 
same direction. And, remembering all this, 
they may determine to prosecute the business, 
because they see in it a livelihood, and, may- 
hap, riches; but they will determine to prose- 
cute it for this purpose and after this fashion, 
viz., in order that they may furnish a race of 
stock that will make the most and best beef at 
the least cost, and so that they may improve 
the stock of the country by their breeding. If 
breeders look at the matter in this way. they 
are benefactors of their country and of the 
world. Their efforts ought to succeed, and by 
the fine logic of history their prosperity will bo 
steady and long-lived. In a business point of 
view, this case differed from the former one 
exactly thus: That was the true Shorthorn 
policy, this is the true long-sighted policy. 
While it is morally true, therefore, that there 
is nn indefinite deal more of nobility in this 
cause than in that, it is equally economically 
true that there is an infinite deal more of 
money in it also. It offers no sudden wealth, 
iTut it offers steady progress in both kinds of 
success. 

"This, then, is what I mean by saying that 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



321 



it depends on the conception of breeding taken 
l)y lireeders, as to what tiie future of the Sliort- 
l\()rn interest will be. Let me refer before clos- 
ing to what seem to me some dangers now 
standing in the road of progress in the right 
direction, or threatening to take up position 
there. And, first of all, I would name the in- 
ordinate rage of fancy pedigree — often to the 
exclusion of the better pedigrees. If we were 
to breed to stock some noblenuin's park, with 
slim, deer-like fawns, or to tickle his fancy 
with beautifully printed lists of names in royal 
succession, such a rage would be legitimate 
and correct; but if w-e are to breed for the 
beef-producing interests of America, where nn 
nobleman has a park, it cannot fail to be ruin- 
ous. Not approved paper, even though it 
reach the commendation of all experts (a thing 
liardly possible to realize), but the butcher's 
block is the true test of a pedigree; and that 
j)edigree is necessarily best which produces the 
most and best beef, not that which has at- 
tached to it the longest list of 'fancy' names. 
Uh, that all could come to see this. 

"Ne.xt, the dangers from foolish fashion 
threatens us. The rage for color is now reach- 
ing a piiint which would be laughable were it 
not scrioiH. r>cynnd all question roan is the 



Shorthorn's peculium, beyond all qixstion it is 
its covering of beauty. Yet, imperious fashion 
demands a dark red, which is correlated almost 
hopelessly with harsh hair and harsh handling. 
As a consequence hundreds of the best bulls 
born are every year sacrificed on account of 
color alone. The moral is evident. Gentle- 
men, if you breed for color you will get — color; 
but what we want is beef. To get it we must 
breed for it and it alone, and cast off all silly 
burdens, carrying which, will delay or hinder 
the attainment of our one great end. 

"I do not mean the rise of Hereford or 
Aberdeenshire interest as a danger to the 
Shorthorns. We are alike laboring for the 
same end, and I welcome aid in beef-producing 
from all other breeds. The introduction of 
these new breeds will help — not clog — our 
progress, and their interest and ours need never 
clash. They cannot clash unless one or the 
other of us lose sight of our great common end, 
and seek to pander to fancy or fashion. I am 
for beef, and I am for that breed which will 
produce the most and best of it. That breed 
I believe to be the Shorthorns, and on, I think, 
thoroughly tested grounds; but I welcome all 
others to trial on our broad pastures. Short- 
horn breeders have not them to fear — they 




SfENE ON THE FARWELL RANCH, TEXAS. 
Cows of tlie T. L. Miller herd in early spring, after a bard winter. 



322 



H I S T K y OF H E K E F 11 D C A T T L E 



need fear only tliemselves. Let each ask him- 
self the question, 'For what am I breeding?' 
His answer to tliat will declare whether he be 
an enemy or a friend to the interest. 

"William Waefield." 

imroiitatiox of gudgell & simpson. 

On the ISth of April. 1882, Gudgell & 
Simpson, of Independence, Mo., shipped 71 
head of thorouahbred Hereford cattle from 




CHAMPION ox AT S.MITHFIELD, 1SS4. 

Cross-bred Hereford sire. Shorthorn dam. Age 3 years 

6 months. Weight 2617 lbs. Bred by Chas. Doe, 

Shropshire. Exhibited by R. Wortley, Norfolk. 

England to quarantine them at Quebec. They 
came by the way of the steamer Texas. Mr. 
Vaughn was in charge of these cattle. — Breed- 
ers' Journal. 

JIR. B. HERSHEY's IMPORTATIOX. 

"Wallace's ]\Ionthly" has the following to say 
of an importation of Hereford cattle: ''Our 
friend, Mr. B. Ilershey, of Muscatine, la., has 
been across the water and has made a large im- 
portation of Hereford cattle, nnmbering some 
sixty odd heifers, and eight or ten young bulls. 
They were selected under his own eye, and the 
best of judges who saw them on their arrival at 
Quebec, pronounced them a very choice lot. 
The special object in going so largely into this 
breed is their supposed better adaption of the 
vicissitudes of ranch life on the plains. It is 
claimed that the comparison between this 
breed and the Shorthorns, on the plains, has 
been fully made and satisfactorily settled, and 
that the Herefords are altogether better. This 
corresponds with our own judgment of the two 
breeds. There can be no doubt, that as a tribe, 
they possess more vigorous constitutions and 
are better able to take care of themselves than 
the Shorthorns, but an intimation of this kind 
to a Shorthorn man is like intimating to Char- 
ley Foster that some of the Lexingtons have 
gone blind, and he hurls back at you such 



choice epithets as 'blockhead,' 'ignoramus,' 
'fool,' and every other pet name short of 
'thief.' Both breeds have been tried on the 
plains, and after trial, the verdict is all against 
Shorthorns, and all in favor of Herefords." 

T. L. miller's importation. 

The second importation of Hereford cattle 
by T. L. Miller consisted of 11-1 head. We 
went to England in May, 1880, and after visit- 
ing the principal Hereford cattle breeders, puj- 
chased during the month of June. We re- 
turned to the I'nited States on July 1st, and 
visited Washington and had an interview with 
Secretary Sherman and the President, with a 
view to have the rule modified, that required 
ninety days quarantine from the date of land- 
ing of the cattle in America, but failed to reach 
any modification of existing orders. After- 
ward the time of quarantine was changed to 
ninety days from date of shipment of cattle. 

We then returned to England, shipped the 
cattle on the 19th of September, via steamer 
Gallian, t'ai)t. Moen, Master, to Baltimore. 
They were taken in clean box cars from the 
dock to the eight hundred acre farm belonging 
to the B. & O. R. E., seven miles out. Hero 
they remained three months, under the care of 
Mr.' Thos. Smith (\\ 2()9A), who went from our 
farm to England to take charge of the ship- 
ment. 

At the expiration of the quarantine, Mr. 
T. E. Miller went to Baltimore to bring the 
cattle home. The cattle were loaded, at a 
private side track on the farm — from a stock 
yard built for the occasion, into clean new box 
cars. The B. & 0. road sent the train through 
to Chicago as a special, on fast passenger train 
time, running a half hour behind their fast 
"Oyster Express," and ahead of their through 
passenger train. The train started at 2:30 
p. m. Saturday, September 8th, for Illinois and 
reached the farm at Beecher, where all were 
comfortably stabled bv Monday evening, Janu- 
ary 10th. 

Thus these cattle were moved by a special 
train from Leominster, England, to a steamer 
at Bristol, and put directly from the cars upon 
the steamer, and iipon arrival at Baltimore 
kept entirely away from any other stock, and 
the same plan was pursued until the arrival at 
Beecher. On the whole route of .5,000 miles 
they never were in public shipping yard or 
highway, never an animal sick, and arrived at 
their destination in as good condition as 
though they had been quietly on the farm. 

Captain Moen was to be especially com- 
mended for his care in commanding his steam- 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



333 



cr, throufili a very rough voyage that came 
(hiring the equinox. In the lieaviest weather 
lie i)ut his steamer about, and ran back for 
twenty-four hours to ease the cattle from the 
etVeet of the very heavy sea. — Breeders' 
Juurnal. 

EAKL & STl'AET IMPORTATION. 

The Breeders' Journal said: "A large im- 
))ortation of Hereford cattle was made by Thos. 
Clark for Earl & Stuart of Lafayette, Indiana, 
and himself. They were shipped from Liver- 
pool to Portland. Maine, on March 9, ISSg. 

In the lot are fourteen animals from the 
herd of Messrs. J. B. & G. H. Green, (TJH 210A- 
311 A) Marlow Lodge, Leintwardine, England. 
Four from the herd of John Price, (^ 213A) of 
Court Honse, Pembridge, England. Two 
from the herd of T. Lewis, ^ 213A) the 
Woodhouse, Hooden, Herefordshire, England. 
Four females bred from the old Wm. Tudge 
(t[ 31()A) herd of Adforton, were purchased 
from ilr. John Williams (1| 313R) of Llansan- 
nor Court, Cowbridge, Glamorganshire. Five 
cows and calves from the herd of Mr. Phillip 
Turner, (H 214A) The Leen, Pembridge, Eng- 
land. Eight heifers from the herd of Mr. J. 
.Morris, (][ 215A) Lulham, Madley. The 
largest draft from one herd was twenty-six 
animals from Mr. T. J. Carwardine (^ 21TA), 
Stocktonbury, Leominster, Eng. To mention 
all the animals would not be possible in the 
space allotted to this subject. Venus {\ 12, 



P152) 10033 by Lord Wilton (U 218A) was 
considered the plum of the whole collection. 

MR. ADAMS earl's IMPORTATION. 

The "Breeders' Journal" said, in 1881 : Mr. 
Adams P]arl of Lafayette, Ind., made an im- 
portation of a choice herd of Herefords this 
year, and had at the head of his herd the two- 
year-old bull Grateful 2d, got by Mr. Aaron 
Roger's (1| 219) old bull Grateful, which has 
stood at the head of all breeds in England for 
some time past. Mr. Earl's herd has come over 
in good condition, and are very choice animals. 

MR. H. c. Burleigh's importation. 

The "Breeders' Journal" said in 1880: Mr. 
H. C. Burleigh, of Fairfield, j\Iaine, has selected 
for himself and Mr. J. R. Bodwell, of Maine, 
fifty-three head of Hereford cattle, from the 
herds of Queen Victoria, T. Duckham, T. J. 
Carwardine, (If 220A) P. Turner, W. S. Powell, 
A. Rogers, W. Price, A. P. Turner, (H 221A) 
and B. Rogers (^ 222A). The above-named 
parties are among the best breeders in England. 
Mr. Burleigh has been a breeder of Herefords 
for many years. He has been a snecessfnl 
breeder and exhibitor. This purchase will place 
his herd among the first on this side of the 
water. Besides the Herefords, Mr. Burleigh 
has brought over a few Shropshire Down sheep. 
Mr. Burleigh spent several weeks in the West 
looking for Herefords before he %vent to Eng- 
land. 




CHAMPION STEER. ROAN BOY. 

Bred by C. M. Culbertson. Chicago Fat Stock Show, 1883. 

Sire a Hereford bull, dam a grade Shorthorn cow. 



324 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



CHAPTER XXX. 

Hereford Items in the Early Eighties — Concluded 



HEREFORD COW LEONORA. 

Taken from the "Breeders' Journal," 1880: 
The Hereford cow Leonora, belonging to Mrs. 
S. Edwards, (^ 223 A) of Hereford, England, 
was injured on her return from the Smithfield 
Show, so that it became necessary to kill her. 
We are not aware of the reasons that induced 
Mrs. Edwards to fit and show this cow, and 
several others that she has fitted and shown in 
the last five years. Of one thing it is cjuite 
certain, that she has given herself a large repu- 
tation in the cattle world, but three or four 
more good cows have been lost to her herd. 

This has been the practice of the Shorthorn 
breeders in England and America, of fitting 
their best heifers for the show ring, and keep- 
ing them there as long as they could walk. A 
few years since, one such was kept in the show 
ring so long she could not walk — having a 
carriage built in which she could ride from 
the cars to the show ground — and such an 
animal was exhibited as a breeding cow, and 
for breeding purposes, and awarded first hon- 
ors. Such awards, on such animals, have been 
published as an evidence of merit for the breed, 
and it is not two years since a prominent advo- 
cate of the Shorthorn interest pointed to these 
awards and challenged the Hereford breeders 
to show their cows in competition with them. 

There was a necessity, apparently, why Mrs. 
Edwards should bring tlie pick of her herd to 
the show ring, and that the Hereford cow 
Jennie should come upon the show ground at 
Chicago and vindicate and sustain the charac- 
ter of the Herefords for superiority as well in 
the cow as in the steer class. This has been 
done on both sides of the Atlantic, and the 
two winning cows pronounced the best of any 
breed that has been exhibited. The cow Leon- 
ora in England and the cow Jennie in America 
have vindicated the character of the Hereford 
breed. 

We give herewith the winnings of Leonora. 
In Mr. Miller's recent purchases in England he 
boixght a half brother and a half sister of this 



cow. Leonora, bred by Mrs. Sarah Edwards, 
widow of the late T. Edwards (^ 32-tA), of 
Leominster, calved August 11th, 1875, was the 
winner of the following prizes: Second prize 
at Birmingham, 1876; first "prize at Liverpool, 
1877; first prize at Bristol, 1878; first prize 
and champion prize for best Hereford female 
(^ 225A) at London, 1879; meetings of the 
Royal Agricultural Society of England: first 
prize as one of a pair at Hereford, 1876; first 
prize at Bath, 1877; first prize and champion 
prize for tlie best female in the yard at Oxford, 
1878; first prize at Exeter, 1879; meetings of 
the Bath and West of England Agricultural So- 
ciety: first prize and champion prize for the 
best female in the yard at Hereford, 1877; first 
prize and champion prize for the Ijest Hereford 
female, also champion prize for the best female 
in tlie yard at Kingston, 1878; first prize and 
cliampion prize for best female, also champion 
prize for tlie best animal in the yard at Here- 
ford, 1879; meetings of the Herefordshire 
Agricultural Society: first prize as one of a 
pair at Owestry, 1878; first prize and champion 
jirize as one of a pair, also champion prize for 
the best Hereford female in the yard at Lud- 
low, 1878; first prize at Shrewsbury, 1879; 
meetings of the Shropshire and West Midland 
Agricultural Society : first prize at Kidder- 
minster, 1877; first prize and champion prize 
for the best cow or heifer in the yard, also 
champion prize for the best animal in the yard 
at Malvern, 1879; meetings of the Worcester- 
shire Agricultural Society : first prize at Durs- 
ley, 1877; first prize at Cheltenham, 1879; 
meetings of the Gloucestershire Agricultural 
Society: first prize and champion prize for the 
best female in the yard at Newport, (Lord 
Tredegar's show) 1877. 1878: first prize as 
one of four at Leominster and Ludlow, 1876; 
first prize as one of a pair, and champion prize 
as the best animal in the yards at Leominster 
and Ludlow, 1877; first prize and champion 
prize for the best animal in the yard at Lud- 
low, 1879; first prize and champion prize for 



Ill STORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



335 



tho best Hereford at l>inuiiis;h;un (I'at sliow), 
1879; first prize and champion prize for the 
best Hereford at the Sniithfield club (fat 
show), London, 1ST!). 'I'otal of lier winnings, 
$;i,3oO. 

FIVE lU'NDREU DOLLARS BUTCHER's PRIZE. (AN 
OPEN LETTER.) 

No. 3 Board of Trade Bldg., 

Chicago, 111., Sept. 25. 
"To Whom it May Concern: Some of the 
breeders of Hereford cattle have subscribed 
$50U, which they have directed me to deposit 
with the treasurer of the Chicago Fat Stock 
Show, to be called 'The Butcher's Prize.' The 
donors have also instructed me to issue an 
open invitation to the parties engaged in rais- 
ing tlie fund for the best Shorthorn steer at 
the Fat Stock Show, and to any and all per- 
sons interested in breeding or owning Short- 
born cattle, to deposit an equal sum of $500 
with said treasurer of the Fat Stock Show, 
the whole sum, $1,000, to be awarded to the 
best butchers' carcass among the breeds en- 
tered for the 'Butcher's Prize' at the next Fat 
Stock Show in Chicago, November 16 to 23, 
1882. The contest for said Butcher's Prize 
shall be governed by the following conditions: 
(H 22()A) Fjrst, all animals entered must be 
pure bred, or grades not less than half blood. 
Second, all animals contesting must be slaugh- 
tered at the Fat Stock Show at such time as the 
managers of the show shall set apart. Third, 
the slaughtering of each animal entered and the 
award of the Butcher's Prize shall be made by a 
practical butcher or by a committee of practical 
butchers to be selected by the following ref- 
erees : John B. Sherman, Superintendent of 
the Union Stock Yards; Wm. H. Monroe, a 
regular buyer for eastern and foreign markets; 
and John Adams, a regular commission sales- 
man of Chicago. The names of the judges 
selected shall not be made public until after 
the 2d day of November, 1882. Any two 
of the three referees aljove named may act in 
the absence of third, and shall make the selec- 
tion of the judges as above, and in case two of 
said referees are absent then the third shall 
.select two reputable Stock Yards commission 
merchants to act as referees, and they shall then 
select the judge. Fourth, the invitation is 
al.so extended to animals of the polled breed, 
Devons', and all other breeds of beef cattle, 
pure breeds or grade not less than half bloods, 
upon their owners or representatives depositing 
a like sum of .fi50n for each or either breed 
with said treasurer of the Fat Stock Show, the 



whole to be governed by the conditions of the 
invitation. 

"Fifth, the said sum or sums of five hundred 
dollars must be placed in the hands of said 
treasurer of the Fat Stock Show on or before 
the first day of November, 1882, and said de- 
posit must be accompanied by a written notice 
of the acceptance of this invitation, which 
notice must designate the name of the breed in 
whose behalf the invitation is accepted, and a 
copy of said written notice must be at the same 
time mailed to the undersigned. Sixth, all 
matters of dispute, whether involving the con- 
struction of this invitation, or any question 
growing out of this invitation, shall be referred 
to said referees, w'hose decision shall be final. 
Seventh, when the judge or judges appointed 
by said referees shall have arrived at a conclu- 
sion, they shall make their decision known to 
said referees, who shall announce in writing 
over their own signatures the winner or \fin- 
ners of said Butcher's Prize, and, upon pre- 




BENTON'S CHAMPION. 



sentation of said certificate, the treasurer is 
authorized to pay over to said winner or win- 
ners said sum or sums of money so deposited 
as aforesaid, after deducting any necessary ex- 
penses of said contest. I-Cighth, all entries for 
the Butcher's Prize must be made to said treas- 
urer of said show in writing on or before the 
1st day of November, 1882, together with the 
name of owner, name and breed of entry, with 
the age in years, months and days as nearly as 
possible, and a full statement of the breeding 
of each animal. Should this invitation not be 
accepted in accordance with requirement, then 
said sum of $500 shall be held by said treasurer 
to be awarded to the best Hereford carcass, 
pure bred or grade not less than half blood. 
The contest and award shall be made at the 
time and under the conditions above set out. 



H I S'lM) U\ 



() 



K H K F R D (' A T T T. E 



327 



except that tlie entries shall be made in wiiliiifj; 
to tlie said treasurer on or l)efore tiie Kith day 
ol' Noveiiiher, 1882. Slioidd there i)e no entries 
for said Buteher's Prize, then the said treasurer 
shall hold said money subject to the order of 
the undersigned. ' t'. M. Culbkrtson-, 
"President American Hereford Association." 
"Mr. ('. M. C'ulbertson, above named, has 
this day deposited with the undersigned, trejis- 
urer of the Chicago Fat Stock Show, the sum 
of $")()(), to be called the 'Butcher's Prize.' as 
stated in the above invitation, a copy of whicli 
invitation has also been placed in my hands. 
"John W. Bunn. 
"Dated at Peoria,, Sept. 25th, 1882." 

RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE IIEREFORDS. 

Taken from the Chicago "Daily Tribune," 
December ;50, 1882: "Tliere is, in the rapidity 
with wliich the Herefords have spread over this 



they carried off three of the four bntcliers' 
prizes awarded at the last Fat Stock Show, 
fairly indicates the general superiority of the 
Herefords, cannot very well be gainsaid, until 
some proof to the contrary shall have been fur- 
nished. The fact that many Herefords were 
slaughtered at that show, while hut few Short- 
horns were killed, will not be accepted by those 
people who know that the total number of 
Hereford cattle available for such a test is com- 
paratively small, while the Shorthorns number 
many thousands. Aberdeen- Angus, Ualloways, 
Norfolk and Suffolk polls, and other recog- 
nized breeds are not expected to appear in 
competition as yet, since there are few cattle 
of those breeds which can be si)ared for slaugh- 
ter. 

"If the ensuing year does not bring out 
Shorthorns which can bear off the honors from 
the Herefords, in this the final test of the value 




<1^ 




HEREFORD. SHORTHORN. 

Competing steers and comparative types. Smithfleld winners, 1S79. 



country in the last five or six years, something 
wiiich is, if not marvelous, at least as remark- 
able as it must be gratifying to the champions 
of that magnificent breed of cattle. How much 
of this has been due to the persistent and pug- 
nacious use of the press cannot, of course, be 
definitely ascertained, but without great merit 
to warrant the claims put forth by friends of 
the breed it is quite certain it could never have 
gained the place it now occupies as the favorite 
on many a ranch in the West, and as a highly 
])riz<'d and jirofitahle breed on the farms of the 
fertile Middle and Western States. 

"In their determination to accept no second 
})lace on the list of beef-making breeds, and 
the fierceness of their onslaughts upon all rival 
breeds, the Hereford breeders give abundant 
evidence as to the faith that is in them. It 
cannot be denied that they have made a very 
creditable show of a right to the first place. 
Their claim, that the success thev met when 



of a beef bullock, many who are now undecided 
will conclude that, how smooth and beautiful 
soever the Shorthorn may be, he lacks the 
ability to make, when highly finished, the best 
and most profitable beef. That the Hereford 
can scarcely be surpassed in ability to with- 
stand hardship is well known; that he will 
make a fair return for any amount of care, 
however slight, has been abundantly shown by 
experience. That the breeders of Herefords 
are content to rest their case upon the single 
argument of the superiority of their favorites 
as beef prodticers, as do the friends of the 
Scotch cattle, and do not think it necessary 
to add the claim that they are good milk and 
Ijutter jiroducers, will be by some, especially, 
perhaps by the cattlemen of the plains, con- 
sidered additional proof of the confidence of 
the Hereford breeders in the strength of their 
cause. 

"^AHiatever the outcome of the contest may 



328 



HISTOEY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



be between the two breeds, one result may be 
counted upon as certain; the scrub will be, ere 
long, driven almost eomi^letely out of sight 
and out of mind. Although the Herefords 
and the Shorthorns have locked horns with no 
such purpose definitely in view, the result will 
be the same as though they had combined their 
forces to push the scrub from the field." 

HEREFORDS NET TO GROSS. 

Taken from the "Breeders' Journal," April, 
1882 : The five steers winning the sweepstakes 




JOHN SCHAKBAUER, MIDLAND, TE.\AS. 

and his favorite bull, valued at $5,000, Sir James 65916, 

by Corrector. 

prize offered at the Fat Stock Show last fall 
by Marshall Field for best five steers in the 
show, and won by the T. L. Miller Company, 
of Beecher, 111., were sold to Wm. Smith & Son, 
of Detroit, and slaughtered by them for Christ- 
mas market. They made the following record: 

Dressed Meat Beef and 

to Valuable 

Gross Weight. Offal. 

"Conqueror," dressed 69.13% 83.S4% 

"Will," dressed 68.13% 83.66% 

"Kansas," dressed 68.09% 80.44% 

"Bachelor," dressed 66.72% 83.49% 

"Washington," dressed 66.05% 81.68% 

SOME GOOD HEREFORD GAINS. 

"The monthly gain of some of T. L. Miller's 
Herefords, that are in training for the Chicago 
Fat Stock Christmas Show of 1880, make.-? 
quite a favorable showing. Much is being said 
about one of John B. Sherman's two-year-old 
Shorthorn steers gaining 120 lbs. last month. 
Mr. Watson says he can beat that, as last month 
Maid of Orleans, two years old, packed on 140 
lbs.; Conqueror, 22 months old, 122 lbs.; Bach- 
elor, same age, 110 lbs., and Tom Smith, 23 
months, 106 lbs. How's that for an average of 
Herefords ?" — Breeders' Journal. 

MARSHALL FIELD PRIZE. 

Taken from the Chicago "Evening Journal" : 
"There was more than usual interest manifest- 



ed in the Fat Stock Show, although the storm 
had the effect of keeping many away that 
would have wished to attend. The great fea- 
ture was the competition for the $250 prize 
offered by Marshall Field for the best five head 
of cattle of any age or breed. Si.x herds were 
entered by the following gentlemen: T. W. 
Hunt, Ashton, 111.; John B. Sherman, Chi- 
cago, 111.; J. D. Gillette, Elkhart, 111.; T. L. 
Miller, Beecher, 111.; Morrow & Muir, and H. 
C. Nelson. Mr. Miller's Herefords carried the 
day, the prize being awarded to him. There 
was no little jubilation over the result among 
the believers in Hereford stock, which they say 
has ri.sen in value 100 per cent with this vic- 
tory. Outside of this contest there was no par- 
ticular feature of interest in the show to-day, 
except what has been seen during the week." 

IMPORTATION OF HEREFORDS IN 1883. 

"While many Herefords "were imported in 
1883 to our dilferent (juarantine stations in the 
United States, namely Baltimore, New York, 
Boston and Portland, there were still more 
brought to Quebec, Canada. By a ruling of 
the United States Treasury Department, cattle 
for importation into the United States were 
allowed to be held the ninety days required, 
on Canadian soil. The following importations 
were sent to Quebec: 

"Geo. Leigh {|[ 227 A) imported that year in 
steamer Te.xas fifty-six head of Herefords, sail- 
ing April 21st from Liverpool. Giidgell & 
Simpson brought over twenty Herefords in the 
same steamer. M. H. Cochrane shipped 10.5 
head on the steamer Quebec, sailing Mav 19. 
C. W. Cook (II 228A) of Odebolt, Iowa, (firm of 
C. W. Cook & Sons) m 229A and 230A), im- 
ported 300 head of Hereford cattle on the 
steamer Quebec, sailing from Liverpool June 
30th. Mr. Cook's cattle were selected from 
numerous herds by Mr. Conant, of Illinois, 
who had entire charge of the shipment, both 
on the ocean and in quarantine. Thos. Brit- 
tian imported thirty-seven and H. C. Burleigh 
imported 186 head of Herefords on the steamer 
Texas, leaving Liverpool on August 1 for 
Quebec. T. L. Miller imported 108 head of 
Herefords on the steamship Mississippi, sailing 
from Liverpool August 18th. Geo. Leigh im- 
ported 13.5 Herefords on the steamer Texas, 
sailing from Liverpool September 12th. C. T\I. 
Culbertson imported 11.5 Herefords on the 
steamer Texas, sailing September 12th, from 
Liverpool." — Breeders' Journal. 

TESTIMONIAL HERD. 

Looking- back as we write, the author cannot 



HISTORY OF II E K E FORD C A T T L E 



339 



but reflect that there are some parts of the 
road which we have traveled, in trying to ad- 
vance the beet interest of America, to which 
we can look back with undisguised pleasure. 
A man is to be commended for his efforts to 
make "two blades of grass grow where one grew 
before," but many times he does not have his 
efforts appreciated. We cannot pass the in- 
cident of the presentation of a testimonial from 
the English Hereford cattle breeders, without 
expressing our gratification that our efforts to 
give the Hereford cattle their proper position 
was appreciated by our English friends. The 
following letter frmn the lion. Thos. Uuckham 
to the ''Hereford Times" was no doubt the l)e- 
ginning of the movement that culminated in 
1883. After the opening of the letter, in 
speaking of the growing popularity of the 
Ilerefords, he says: 

"I must sav that the meed of praise is due 
to T. L. Miller, of Beecher, Will County, Illi- 
nois, U. S. A., whose untiring perseverance in 
the cause merits every feeling of gratitude 
which the breeders of Herefords can award 
him. 

"Not only has Mr. Miller patronized the 
Hereford by establishing the largest and, I 
think I may add, the best herd of Herefords 



in the United States, but he has so placed them 
before the stock owners of that great country, 
at the various exhibitions and by his sound 
judgment, untiring perseverance, great talent 
as a writer and great influence as a gentleman 
of position; he has claimed for them (and to a 
certain e.x-tent successfully) a trout rank in the 
great state exhibitions of the United States. 
It was Mr. Miller who protested against send- 
ing his Herefords to the International Exhi- 
bition at Philadelphia in 1876 unless an Eng- 
lish judge was selected to aid in awarding the 
jjremiums, which protest resulted in my being 
sent out by the British Commission. It was 
Mr. Miller who first introduced the Herefords 
into the far West to improve the vast herds in 
the Western states. It was Mr. Miller who re- 
solved to obtain the necessary information and 
publish a Herd Book for Hereford cattle in 
America. It was Mr. Miller who, knowing the 
value of the press in the promotion of any 
great object, established a paper in the interest 
of Herefords. 

"Knowing all this, from many years of cor- 
respondence with that gentleman, I feel that I 
should be wanting in a proper discharge of 
duty to him if I did not place those facts 
before your readers. I may add further, that 




IIFiiEFOKUS IN ARIZONA. 



330 



HISTOKY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Mr. Miller was here in June last, when he pur- 
chased about 100 of our far-famed, red-with- 
white-faees, and although far past the meridian 
of life, he hastened back to use his best en- 
deavors to obtain a removal of the restrictions 
of a ninety days' quarantine, imposed upon 
that side, upon animals imported from this 
country. I fear his usual success has not at- 
tended his efforts in that direction, and I hear 
he is now returning, if not returned to Eng- 
land, to arrange fcir shipping liis purchases. 




"There are several breeders of Ilerefords in 
the United States of much longer standing 
than Mr. Miller, but it was left to him to bring 
them to the front in the manner in which they 
are now brought. Mr. Miller only commenced 
as a Hereford breeder in 1871. In 18T3 his 
then partner, Mr. Powell, a Herefordshire 
man, came to England and purchased a few 
Herefords, among them the liandsome young 
cow Dolly Varden, bred by Mr. Morris, Town 
House, Madley, and her two offspring. Mr. 
Powell soon entered upon another business, 
and Mr. Miller was most fortunate in securing 
the assistance of one so thoroughly conversant 
with the management of a herd as Mr. George 
F. Morgan. 

"The excellence of Mr. Miller's herd which 
he sent to the International E.xhibition, and 



the manner in which Mr. Morgan brought 
them out and placed them before the judges, 
were themes of admiration to all who beheld 
them. After I discharged my duties at that 
exhibition, 1 visited Mr. Miller and numerous 
other Hereford breeders in order that I might 
make their personal acquaintance and see how 
the various herds acclimated, but at no place 
did I see them so admirably managed as those 
under Mr. Morgan's care on Mr. Miller's farm. 
"I would here respectfully suggest that the 
Hereford Jjreeders pay some compliment to 
ilr. Miller when he returns to this country, in 
acknowledgment of the very valuable assist- 
ance he has rendered to them in creating a 
demand for their pedigree animals, wdiich, al- 
though of great and unprecedented proportion, 
is now only in its infancy. 

T. DUCKHAM. 

Baysham Court, Ross, England. 
Aug. 17, 1880. 

The occasion of the writer's visit to England 
in 1883 was taken advantage of by the breed- 
ers of Hereford cattle in that country to pre- 
sent him with a valuable testimonial to show 
tiieir appreciation of his labors in securing to 
the Herefords in America their present posi- 
tion as the best breed of beef cattle. 

The "Hereford Times," England, August 4, 
1883, has an editorial in reference to the mat- 
ter, from which we quote: "Within a very 
short period three very important gatherings 
of breeders of Hereford cattle have taken place 
in Hereford, each being in the nature of a cele- 
Ijration, and each of such a character as to 
warrant the hope that a new era of prosperity 
for the renowned white-faces is being entered 
upon. The first was the banquet of Mr. Price, 
of the Court House, Pembridge, upon the oc- 
casion of his splendid victory at Birmingham, 
when he carried off the Elkington Challenge 
Cup. (f 231) The second was the farewell 
dinner given a week or two ago by Mr. Bur- 
leigh to the breeders from whom he had been 
making his extensive purchases for America. 
The third, and most important of all, has taken 
place in the present week, when the union 
iDetween the English and American breeders 
of Hereford cattle has been cemented by the 
banquet and presentations to Mr. T. L. Miller, 
of Beecher, 111., and his righthand man-, Mr. 
George F. Morgan, who hav£ done more than 
any others to establish the Herefords in uni- 
versal favor, and raise them to that position of 
pre-eminence which their excellent and varied 
qualities entitle them to hold. 

"Advantage was taken of Mr. Miller's pres- 
ence in England — a visit made purely in the 



] f I S T () R Y OF 11 K n E V () R I) C A T T L E 



331 



interest of the breed; iiiid to enable ^[r. ililler 
the better to enliaiiee their popularity in Amer- 
ica — to entertain liini at a banquet, and the 
gathering took place on Wednesday last, Sir 
Jose])li Bailey, M. P., being the president, Mr. 
Duckham, M. P., and Mr. S. Kobinson (|[ 232) 
the vice-presidents, and the numerous com- 
pany also including the Lord Lieutenant of 
the County (Lord llateman). Earl Coventry 
(whom we are glad to see is lending the Here- 
ford breed an increasing measure of his valu- 
able influence), and the member for Leomin- 
ster (Major Rankin) (^ 233) and generally the 
leading breeders and farmers of the district. 

"The presentation to Mr. Miller consisted of 
an illuminated address and a purse of 200 
sovereigns; that to Mr. Morgan, of a very 
handsome silver cup. (Tj 234) * * * In 
the limits of an article like this, it is impos- 
sible to enter into a detail of the steps to be 
taken to raise the Herefords in vmiversal esti- 
mation; and indeed it would be uncompli- 
mentary to assume that the breeders need to 
l)e esjiecially informed on this point. They 
know what Mr. ililler intends to do with the 
£200 which they have ])resented to him. and 
this is an exam])le of what we mean. He in- 
tends to form a herd to be known as the 'tes- 
timonial herd,' and managed in a thoroughly 
systematic way, with the aid of which he will 
demonstrate, among our agricultural cousins 
over the Atlantic, 'the capabilities of the Here- 
ford breed.' They know, too, what Mr. ililler 
has done in the past; how, in the face of strong 
prejudice and the great power of Shorthorn 
influence in America he has made the merits 
of the Herefords felt, and by 'fearlessly pre- 
.senting' those merits has achieved successes for 
the 'white-faces' which, ten years ago, would 
have been thought impossible. 

"We would say to the English hreeders of 
Herefords, 'support, l)y all means in your 
power, the hands of men like Mr. Miller.' " 

The account of the ])resentation and com- 
])limentary banquet to the writer was given in 
the same ])a])er, reporting the numerous toasts 
and responses. Sir Joseph Bailey, M. P., the 
chairman, proposed the toast of the evening, 
"The health of our guest. Mr. Miller," in which 
he made the presentation and closed by say- 
ing: ''Mr. ^filler is already somewhat ad- 
vanced in years, but when he grows to be an 
old man, it will be a proud thing for him to 
say that it had been his lot to reinvigorate and 
im]irove the cattle and herds of America." 

Lord Bateman proposed the toast, "The 
health of the breeders of Herefords in England 
and America." In the course of his remarks 



he advised farmers to follow his e.xample and 
dispose of their half-bred herds in favor of 
stock of the pure Hereford breed. 

HEEEFOUD BEEF IN NEW ENGL.\ND. 

Printed by the "Breeders' Journal" from a 
New England paper: — "Volumes may be 
printed and read upon this subject, but the 
most convincing argument is that which ap- 
peals to the pocket-book, and offers 8I/2 cents 
per pound, live weight, for choice Hereford, 
and but 4 cents for the scrub that has eaten his 
head off in his maintenance. Hundreds of 
practical instances may be seen on any cattle 
day in our great markets. 

"There is a good profit in rearing good 
beeves, and an absolute loss in keeping coarse, 
inferior animals. As an illustration, quite a 
remarkable steer was brought into Watertown 
market two weeks ago by Wells and Richard- 
son, raised from the calf by Joseph Nye, of 
Fairfield, Me. This animal, a grade Here- 
ford, though two months less than three years 
old, weighed, when landed in the stock yards, 
2,030 pounds. The purchaser was R. H. 
Sturtevant, of the" well-known Quincy market 
firm of H. Bird & Co., dealers in beef. There 
is no better expert in beef in this city than 
Mr. Sturtevant, who pronounced this steer as 
near perfection in sha])e and quality as was 
ever landed for sale in this market. Mr. Hath- 




away, one of the largest dealers in cattle in this 
market, was of the same opinion, and offered 
81/2 cents per pound, live weight, for the steer, 
or upwards of $172, to ship to England: but 
H. Bird & Co. wanted him at still a higher 
]irice to cut up for their best city trade. Mr. 
Sturtevant informs us that this fine steer 
dressed 1,604 pounds, counting meat, hide and 
tallow, a most remarkable result, showing a 
shrinkage of only 21 per cent. The loins cut 
from this steer weighed between 100 and 106 



333 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



pounds each, with suet in. The beef was of 
excellent quality, well marbled, and showing 
that as good cattle can be produced in New 
England as anywhere in the world. The loin 
which weighed 106 pounds carried 28 pounds 
of suet. Farmers shoiild bear in mind, how- 
ever, that it will not pay to rear or feed coarse, 
rough, leggy cattle, in this part of the country 
at least. 

"Few cattle are received in this market that 
show so small a shrinkage as 21 per cent. Some 
of the best quality of "Western steers, such as 




MR. JOHN PRICE'S ELKINGTON CHALLENGE CUP 
WINNER, AT 3 YEARS. 



arc now selling at 7I/2 to 8 cents per pound, 
live weight, will shrink only 25 per cent. These 
cattle the butchers call 'rattling good' steers. 
A shrinkage of 2G to 27 per cent, shows well- 
fed and profitable steers. Some good cattle 
shrink 30 to 35 per cent., and common New 
England cattle about a third. Coarse cattle, 
old cows and the like shrink 40 ])er cent, or 
more." 

NEW England's live stock interest. 

Mr. E. E. Parkhurst discussed in the "Am- 
erican Cultivator" the question whetlier New 
England can compete in beef raising with the 
Western cattle range, and says: "Our markets 
are daily supplied with beef from the West, 
l)roduced under great difficulties and trans- 
ported to our markets over long lines of rail- 
roads and often suffering from hunger, thirst, 
and cold, while New England beef, when it is 
Ti\)e, can be put into the market as fresh as 
when it leaves the stables, making it much 
more desirable as food for the consuming 
classes. With good and well-l)red stock and 
intelligence and care in feeding, we need not 
fear competition from any one or any section 
of our country. The farmer who has lost 
money by raising steers and feeding high io 
get them ready for the butcher at 24 to 30 



months has yet to be heard from. The farmer 
who cannot make his farm grow better by such 
farming had better go West, or change his 
occupation." 

HEREFORDS IN ENGLAND. 

The Earl of Coventry, who has taken a de- 
cided interest in breeding cattle, has given liis 
views on Herefords in an English paper, and 
says: "That for early maturity and aptitude 
to fatten the Herefords are very remarkable." 
This, combined with "wonderful constitution 
and general hardiness," ought to convince every 
man who wants to realize the most money on 
his .grass that he cannot afford to be without 
Hereford cattle to convert his grass and grain 
to money. The Earl of Coventry, Croome 
Court, Worcester, England, is very wealthy, but 
breeds Herefords for practical purposes.' He 
lias some of the best cattle in England, and has 
licen very successful with his stock in the show 
ring. The cut of Rare Sovereign (^ 236). a 
Hereford bull bred by him, was published in 
the "Breeders' Journal." His bull Good Boy 
(]\ 235), is a most wonderful, thick-fleshed and 
massive animal. These facts make the' Earl's 
ojiinion very valuable. He says: 

"As you ask me for my opinion of Hereford 
cattle, I can only say that after an experience 
of twelve years, I am still as great an admirer of 
them as I have ever been. It is true that in con- 
sequence of the prohibitory duty in America the 
demand for this breed has not been so great as 
in former years, but I believe the check is only 
a temporary one, and that we shall soon witness 
a return to fair and steady, if not sensational, 
prices again. On my land I find that for their 
early maturity and aptitude to fatten, Here- 
fords are very remarkable, whilst their wonder- 
ful constitution and general hardiness would 
point to them as being specially adapted for 
crossing with other breeds in our colonial de- 
pendencies." 

It was on the Earl of Coventry's estate that 
John Price, of Ryall, did most of his work. — 
Breeders' Journal. 

JUDGES AND JUDGING. 

^^Iiile I have undertaken to show the char- 
acter of the judging, and the manner in which 
our American agricultural and live stock fairs 
are run, I have had verv little to say about the 
judging in England. "The Agriculturalist," a 
live stock journal published in London, has the 
following to say on this subject. Wliile it does 
not touch the two breeds, Herefords and Short- 
horns, it is a point to show what is thought of 
the English shows: 



HIST O R Y I-' 11 K H I'l F R D C A T T L E 



333 



"Tliis V(>.\(>(1 question, of long standing, was 
again iirought prominently to the front during 
tlie Hath and West of England Show at 
Brighton. On that occasion it referred more 
])artieularly to the decisions in the classes of 
Guernsey cattle. In fact, every one who pro- 
fesses to know what a Guernsey bull or cow is, 
was simply shocked at the incompetent judges 
who were appoiuted to adjudicate in regard to 
this lireeil. 

''English breeders, as well as breeders from 
the islands, have protested in strong terms 
against the decisions to which they came. There 
are certain points in all breeds of animals which 
practical men look upon as of importance. 
These points ought not only to be understood 
Ijy judges, but they ought to be recognized by 
them, and thereby acknowledged in the form of 
the awards they make. But the breeders in this 
case say the judges were so oblivious of the re- 
quired ])oints of Guernsey cattle that they 
awarded the prizes to inferior animals, and left 
unnoticed, or merely commended, those which 
were of the orthodox form. 

"This comes of the way the judges of agri- 
cultural societies are appointed. In this coun- 
try, the authorities of societies have apparently 
merged into bands or cliques, each member of 
which seems to say, 'If you will give me a help- 
ing hand I will do as miich for you some day.' 
There seem to be no bold critics or censor of 
this baneful practice or organized cliquism. 
In America a year or two ago the same per- 
sonal favoritism prevailed. But they treat these 
matters better in America than we do in the 
old country. The system was vigorously at- 
tacked in the American agricultural and live 
stock journals. One principle laid down by a 
leading critic was, that 'any one — no matter 
who he was — who made an application to a so- 
ciety to be appointed as judge should not be 
taken anv notice of.' 



"Yet the judging of our live stock is mainly 
entrusted to men who push themselves forward, 
or apply to the chairman or members of the 
council for the post. As we have intimated, the 
whole subject has emerged into a system of 
cliquism or something worse. Breeders of dif- 
ferent kinds of stock have their crotchets, and 
they take care to get themselves elected as mem- 
bers of the council of the leading agricultural 
societies. They then exercise their influence in 
electing judges who will favor their own 
crotchets. Thus some of the worst faults that 
the modern herds and flocks of animals have 
displayed during the present generation have 
been encouraged, and are now being perpetu- 
ated. 

"We cannot dwell upon these great faults to- 
day, but we will do so on an early occasion. One 
symptom, however, we may mention, which is, 
the outrageous prices to which interested noble 
lords, rich tradesmen and their agents have 
pulfed up certain tribes of animals, the main 
end and object of which is, or rather ought to 
be, to produce animal food at the market price 
per pound over the scales. This is why we are 
having the ground cut from under our feet by 
European, American, Antipodean and other 
breeders and feeders. Both animal food — ^l^e it 
beef, mutton or pork — and such animal's jjrod- 
uce as cheese and butter, are now being sent 
from foreign countries of superior quality in 
many respects, and in quantities that make 
home efforts by tenant farmers, who are vic- 
tims ^f the false system in question, anything 
but successful to either themselves or home con- 
sumers. If our great agricultural societies were 
left more open for the services of practical men 
there would be no difficulty in appointing 
judges who would give encouragement to the 
breeders of more paying animals — those that 
have a greater tendency to produce flesh than 
fat." 







jj^^^g 


g 




j^fm 


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^tM 




P^B 


i"" 






^S.^«-»«v' 


g 


i- 



GOLDEN TKEASURE (V. 15. p. 12fi). 
Bred by Earl of Coventry. 



334 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



CHAPTER XXXL 

Roots as Cattle Food 



(1[ 237) The value of roots as food for cattle 
is too well known to need any argument to sup- 
port the assertion. We have in our own expe- 
rience found them invaluable as an aid to make 
ripe bullocks and keej^ our herd of Hereford 
cattle in the finest condition. We will state 
briefly our method of raising sugar beets, as 
this variety of roots was what we finally adopted 
as giving the best results. (Tj 238) 

As early as possible in the spring we ploughed 
the ground deeply, and then harrowed thor- 
oughly, going over the field enough times to 
pulverize the soil thoroughly. Then we spread 
over the ground, as evenly as possible, well- 
rotted manure. Next the ground was thrown 
into ridges, three feet from center to center 
apart, taking great care to have them straight. 
This was done by an ordinary plow, and by 
going twice in the furrow, throwing the earth 
both ways. This left the ridges with all the 
manui-e under the rows. 

We found it advantageous to do this as early 
as possible, so that the field could stand in this 
condition for ten days or two weeks. There 
were two reasons for this: the manure had a 
chance to assimilate some with the earth and 
so push the young plants more rapidly when 
planted, and also the weeds had a chance to 
start. 

Before planting we started a single horse 
through the rows, dragging a plank about ten 
feet long edgewise to level off three ridges at a 
time, leaving a flat top on which to sow the 
seed, and it also destroyed all young weeds 
on the ridges. Following this with a seed drill 
the ground was in fine condition and the seed 
over the fertilizer. 

When the plants were half an inch high, cul- 
tivation commenced with a single five-toothed 
cultivator, then were side scraped with steel 
hoes. 

The secret of success lieing preparing the 
ground thoroughly first, crop kept free from 
weeds and soil kept loose. 

At the second hoeing the plants were thinned 



to one in a place and the vacant places filled 
with the plants which were pulled out. 

In a root field of the T. L. Miller Company, 
the field contained ten and three-quarter acres, 
the yield was 275 tons of sugar beets. {^ 239) 

Labor: Plowing, dragging, seeding, cultivat- 
ing and hoeing was $15 per acre, $1{)1.25 ; har- 
vesting, 54 days pulling, topping, hauling and 
putting in' cellar, 35 days man and cart, $115.70. 
Total cash for labor, $276.95. (^ 239) It will 
be seen by the above that they cost a small frac- 
tion over $1 per ton. The ground was well 
manured; of this we have not the data for cost, 
but for the use of land and the manure, ^fifty 
cents a ton would be ample estimate. 

EXPENDITURE ON 18 ACRES OF BEET LAND. 

The following statement shows our cost of 
producing 310 tons of roots, mainly of the sugar 
beets. The average is $1.37 per ton, without 
charging for the use of the land ; or to cliarge 
$3 per acre for the use of the land, it would be 
$1.50 per ton, giving 300 tons of good feed on 
eighteen acres of land : 

Two ploughings at $2 per acre $72.00 

Harrowing at 50 cents per acre 9.00 

Rolling at 25 cents per acre 4.50 

Rising drills, 13| days at $3 per day. . . 40.50 
Drilling, one man and horse, 2 days at 

$2 per day 4.00 

Artificial manure, 5 tons, charge half. . (50.00 

Seed, as per bill 50.00 

Ten boys hoeing ten days, at 50 cents 

per day 50.00 

One man and horse scuffling 4 davs, 

at $2 per day '. . 8.00 

TOPPING BEETS. 

Six boys 14f days at 50 cts. per day. . . , $44.25 
Three women 5 days, at 75 cts. per day. 11.25 

HAULING BEETS. 

Two men 15 days at $1 each per day. . . $30.00 
Two boys 15 days at 50c each per day. . 15.00 
Four horses 15 days, at $1 each per day 00.00 



Total cost 

Total yield of roots, 310 tons. 



.$458.50 



HISTORY OF HER E F R D ( ' A T T L E 



■S:V. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

Challenge to Test all Beef Breeds on' a Broad Scale 



It was our aim to havo a conclusive test 
made that would go far to prove authoritatively 
the position that we took, viz., that the Here- 
ford was superior to all other beef breeds in 
"economy of production and value of product." 
We made the following challenge in 1881, to 
test the merits of the Herefords and Shorthorns 
by selecting 200 cows in the State of Illinois 
and breed one-half to Hereford bulls and the 
other half to Shorthorn bulls, and bring the 
produce before the Illinois State Agricultural 
Society, and there determine the merits of the 
two breeds for beef production. 

We also offered to select 2.000 cows in Colo- 
rado and breed one-half to Hereford and the 
other half to Shorthorn bulls, and bring the 
produce to a test that should determine their 
merits. Neither of these propositions has been 
accepted, and neither will be. We then made 
another proposition to exhibit before the Chi- 
cago Fair Association in 1881: "25 dry cows 
that have bred and suckled their calves since 
Nov., 1880; 25 calves with them; 25 yearling 
heifers." Of the cows we expected to show in 
the contest we said : 

"None have been grain fed, except when 
milking before grass grew this spring; and none 
having been grain fed since the 15th of May. 
and while dry in the winter were on hay and 
stalks only. The heifers were on grain in the 
winter, but run in the yards, and since the 15th 
of ^lay have been on grass only. 

"I will show the above named stock against 
ainnials of like age and condition, selected from 
any Shorthorn herd in Illinois, Kentucky, Mis- 
souri or Iowa, for a premium of $250 on each 
olas.s, the cattle to be owned bv the exhibitor on 
the 1st day of August. 1881.' 

"The manner in which the cattle shall have 
been kept shall be certified to under oath by 
the owner and one of the men who has had 
charge of the same. 

"The premium money, if not provided bv the 
Society, to be provided, one-half by the Short- 



horn interest and the other half by the Here- 
ford interest. 

"I will in addition show my old bull Success 
and twenty-five cows or heifers of his get against 
any Shorthorn bull and twenty-five cows or 
heifers of his get; all of the cows and heifers 
to have been on grass since May 15th, and with- 
out grain, for $250 or $500. 

"I will show Conqueror. Bachelor, Will, Wash- 
ington and Kansas, bullocks shown at the Fat 
Stock Show last fall, against a like number of 
similar ages shown at that show, for $250 for 
best bullock, and $250 for best five bullocks." 

The following from the "Breeders' Journal," 
prepared by the author, shows a further propo- 
sition on the subject : "The discussion as to the 
merits of the different beef breeds has been 
active. At the commencement it would have 
seemed as though the Shorthorns were firmly 
fixed, as the leading breed for the production of 
beef, and this held for several years after these 
discussions commenced. A leading writer, T. 
C. Jones, in their interest said, as to the merits 
of breeds, that 'it had already been decided that 
the Shorthorns held the first position, and it 
was not a question to be again opened.' 

"This same writer at another time did com- 
pare the breeds, and when we took this up and 
invited a full and frank investigation as to 
merits, his reply was that 'life was too short to 
enter upon a partisan discussion,' and declined 
the invitation. 

"In discussing the merits of the different 
breeds in England, with three prominent Scot 
and Shorthorn men. we said this, that the Here- 
ford would go from pasture to the top of the 
London market, while neither the Scot nor the 
Shorthorn could go there except through four to 
six months in the stall. This our opponents ad- 
mitted. It is here that the merits of the Here- 
ford stand pre-eminent ; as a grazing beast, and 
from grass, carrying his product to the top of 
the market. 

"While in England we visited the grazing dis- 
tricts. There are such districts in England 



336 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



where no breeding is done, but bullocks are 
bought at from one to two years old, mainly the 
latter age, and put in a straw yard and on cake 
during the winter, and on grass in the spring, 
and from these pastures to the London market 
in July, August and September. In talking 
with one of the leading graziers in Buckingham- 
shire, he said tliat whenever he took 'a rear of 
Herefords they would all go to market at once' ; 
that is, they were even in quality and character, 
while with Shorthorns there had to be from two 
to three drafts to get them off. There is then 
but one reason for the character the Herefords 
have taken, and this one is merit. 



cattle that dare make the test of merit from, 
birth to the butcher's block with the Hereford. 
"This test having been refused by old and 
experienced breeders, we tendered some months 
since the proposition to Messrs. J. V. Farwell 
(TI 340-241) and T. AV. Harvey, who have been 
for the last two or three years establishing re- 
spectively, herds of Polled-Angus and Shorthorn 
cattle. We could have taken a farm on leasewith- 
in forty miles of Chicago, well adapted to experi- 
mental work in the breeding of cattle. We pro- 
posed to these gentlemen to take one hundred 
cows and to breed one-third of them to Short- 
horn, one-third to Polled, and one-third to 




COMPANY GATHERED AT CHADNOR COURT SALE, 1883. 
(The X mark indicates Mr. George Pitt.) 



"America is pre-eminently a grazing country, 
and that breed which can make meat of first- 
class quality, from grass, must always be the 
top animal, and if the same beast is a first-class 
feeder, it will need only a trial to make him the 
top beast of the world. We have been so fully 
impressed with this from the start, that we have 
offered to place him in competition with other 
breeds, letting them choose the manner in which 
they should be bred and kept, and we would 
take them, in any way. This has been declined, 
and we say that there is not another breed of 



Hereford bulls, for a term of ten years. We 
laid before them the estimated cost of such an 
experiment; $15,000 would have been the in- 
vestment needed, $5,000 for each. We proposed 
to take one-third for the H,<irefords if each of 
these gentlemen would take a third each for the 
other breeds. We laid before them the fact that 
such an experiment was needed, and that it 
would be a great benefit to the world if such 
experiment could be made, that would test, dur- 
ing a term of years, the character and merits of 
the three breeds of cattle. They, however, de- 



HISTORY OF II EKKFOKl) CATTLK 



33? 



elinod to ciitcr upou such expLTimcut. \\u think 
that wIr'U friends of these breeds come before 
the jiublic with their chiinis for superiority, it 
would be their eiioice to i)laee their cattle under 
sucii tests as wouhl determine their merits, and 
it has l)een our aim from the start to bring 
ai)out such an e.\])eriment, if possible. 

"In relation to the discussion of the merits 
of the several breeds of cattle, especially the 
Shorthorns and Herefords, it has been said that 
'there is room for all breeds.' The 'Live Stock 
Journal' says, 'this is probably true, there is 
room not only for thoroughbred cattle and the 
best breeds, but there is room for scrubs.' But 



interest of the world. There is no room for the 
poor when the better can be had." 

The '"Chicago Tribune" copied and made the 
following comments ou the foregoing. "The 
above is sound in theory. The difficulty is to 
decide the question of which is the best breed, 
taking into consideration the circumstances of 
the intending buyer. Usiiig the machinery as 
an illustration, it would be more just to com- 
pare two spinning wheels, rather than the spin- 
ning wheel and the jack ; two plows of modern 
make, rather than the stick of prehistoric ages 
with the finished steel implement of to-day ; two 
engines of similar form and power rather than 




SCENE AT CHADNOR COURT SALE, 
Dilwyn, Herefordshire, ISS3. 



this does not meet the question as it should be 
met. A man may use a wooden plow, if he has 
no other means of cultivating his ground ; he 
may stir it with a stick rather than not move it 
at all. But he would not do this if he had a 
pood ])air of horses and a good improved plow to 
work it with. It is well to use the old spinning- 
wheel if there is no other means to make your, 
clothing to cover your nakedness. But the old 
spinning-wheel would not be used if the im- 
proved machinery could be had, and steam or 
water to propel it. and what is true of these and 
other industries is also true of the live stock 



unskilled brute force tugging to pull a load, 
with the highest product of the engine builder's 
skill swiftly hurrying a train carrying thousands 
of tons over hills and vales. But much of the 
improvement made in breeds of animals is due 
to the keen competition between breeders strug- 
gling to gain a tirst place in popular favor. The 
fight has made partisans of friend*;. Tlie parti- 
sans labored with, and aroused an interest in 
the minds of those, who, but for this, would 
have remained indifferent, and induced them to 
use better blood ; to the great benefit of them- 
selves and the world in general. Whatever the 



338 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



result may be to the breeders engaged in it, the 
battle has done immense good to others, and it 
is to be hoped that the time will never coniu 
when all will agree that any one breed or family 
of cattle is better than all others." 

We made an earnest effort to arrange a test 
of merit with Mr. James Gaines, of Ridge Farm, 
Illinois, on a sufficiently large scale to be of 
value, and considerable correspondence was pub- 
lished at that time on the subject. Referring to 
the correspondence between Messrs. Gaines and 
Miller : Gaines & Sons proposed to take two car 
loads of steers from their herd for ten years; 
'they afterwards say that they fed 1,400 steers. 
The selection of thirty steers from this number 
would not give any authoritative test of the 
breeds. It is a w-ell established fact that the 
Shorthorns are very irregular and uneven as to 
size and quality. Thirty bullocks out of the 
large number grazed and fed by Messrs. Gaines 
& Sons would be likely to be very good steers, 
but their proposition as to the selection would 
not give any information as to the cost of mak- 
ing; neither would it give any information as 
to the general character of the breed ; and 
again, there is no such lot of Herefords in the 



country to select from, and therefore it would 
be an unequal test. 

The T. L. Miller Company's jjroposition was 
to take a given number of cows of uniform char- 
acter, and give them a given amount of land, 
keeping a correct account of all expenses; this 
would, if continued for ten years, have been a 
very correct and authoritative test. Such a test 
was proposed by T. L. Miller and published in 
the "National Live Stock Journal" some twelve 
years previous to this correspondence. 

That proposition had been renewed from time 
to time, but found no one to accept it, and it 
was again renewed at this time. We proposed 
to take 100 acres of land on their farm at 
Beecher, and select 40 breeding cows to be served 
by a Hereford bull ; these cows and their calves 
to be kept upon the product of such land, and 
the produce to be marketed in December of each 
year, after they were two years old, at the Union 
Stock Yards in Chicago, if any Shorthorn 
breeder would take a like quantity of land, and 
a like number of cows, to be kept and marketed 
on the same conditions. We also invited any 
breeder of Scotch cattle to join in such tests on 
same conditions, each party to come under their 




COMPANY ATTENniNG "THE LEEN" RALE. 1SS3. 
The celebrated Grove 3d {.1051) 24CO, at 9 years, sold for 14.250. appearing at the left. His breeder, B. Rogers, 
standing at his side, umbrella in hand. 



H I W '1' () i; N' () 1'' II E U !•: F T^ 1) C A T T L E 



33<) 



iiulividiiiil bond, to inaki' and kcc]) a i-orrcct 
stati'iiu'iit of cxpi'iiSL's eacli year, and Troiu the 
sak't; of caeli lot, $500 to be taken and invested 
in sortie good securities, until the expiration of 
the contract. The herd that showed the largest 
returns at the end of the t(!n years should be 
entitled to this fund. We suggested that tho 
original cows should lie replaced by heifers 
bred from this lot, the draft cows to be fed 
and marketed with the produce. Should this 
proposition be accepted, and it should seem 
best to the parties interested, to select land 
within fifty miles of Chicago, on tlie line of 
some leading railroad, and divide this land into 
parcels and a])portinn to each breed an equal 
quantitv, we would have accepted such an ar- 
rangement. 



1 1 was not the intention of the T. L. Miller 
Co. to limit this to simply three herds, but the 
Shorthorn and Polled cattle men were allowed, 
if they chose, to make five herds from each 
breed, and breed and feed against five or ten 
herds (or any number not exceeding that). 

Our object being to get the most authoritative 
test that it was possible to have. We contem- 
plated that such arrangements should be adopted 
as would secure an honest administration for 
each herd. We believed that it was due to the 
public, that such a test should be made, and 
were anxious to submit the merits of the claims 
that were made for the Hereford breed of cattle, 
to the most severe and searching tests that could 
be made. 




THE GROVE 3D (5ii:.li 2490. 
Bred by B. Rogers. 



340 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

Champions Contrasted— American vs. English; Ancient vs. Modern 



We have devoted considerable space to our 
American Fat Stock Sliovra because the brunt 
of the battle between the beef breeds of America 
was waged at these shows. 

The account of an English Hereford steer 
and an English grade Hereford steer, will make 
interesting reading, demonstrating, as it does, 
the beef qiiality of the thoroughbred Hereford 
and the great merit of the Hereford cross. 

We take from the "Mark Lane E.xpress" of 
Dec. 15, 1884:, abstracts in reference to the 
Smithfield Show of that year, referring to the 
champion ox, a cross-bred (Hereford sire. 
Shorthorn dam), age 3 years, six months and 
two weeks, weight 2,617 pounds. Winner of 
the Norwich and Smithfield Club Champion 
Cups; bred by Mr. Chas. Doe, Burwarton, 
Bridgenorth, Shropshire; fed and exhibited by 
Mr. R. Wortley, Suffield, Aylsham, Norfolk. 
(1[ 242) Our readers will recognize the form 
and character of this animal as purely Here- 
ford. In other words, the Hereford bull has 
given his character and quality to the steer. 

The value of any pure breed consists in their 
ability to improve other breeds and to improve 
the common cattle of this and all other coun- 
tries. Our steer Conqueror at Chicago in 1881, 
C. M. Culbertson's Roan Boy (^243), in 1883, 
Mr. Wortley's cross-ljrcd at Smithfield in 1884, 
and Fowler and Van Natta's Benton's Cham- 
pion (TI 244) at Chicago, in 1884, are notable 
examples of the value of the Hereford cross. 
The fact that the Shorthorn men claim the 
honor for Shorthorn blood is not worth talking 
about. 

Let us make bullocks, by crossing the Here- 
ford bull upon all other breeds, until our live 
stock shall give the top place to the white- 
fated BULLOCK, whether the cross is on the 
Shorthorn, the Devon, the Scot, the Texan 
(^ 245), the Spanish, or any other breed. And 
let us in this establish the fact that the Here- 
ford cross will improve every other breed for 
producing bullocks, the test being, "economy of 
production and value of product." 



The "Mark Lane Express" said: "There is a 
very pronounced undercurrent of opinion — led 
and fostered by the example which has been 
set on American soil — to the effect that in the 
immediate future the prize schedule of our lead- 
ing Fat Stock Shows should be so framed as to 
encourage the production of the earliest matur- 
ity, at tlie least possible cost; and to this end 
there must inevital)ly be classes made, and ade- 
quate prize money offered for competitions based 
on early maturity, in connection with a mini- 
mum cost of production, to be determined by a 
slaughter test. In the LTnited States they have 
instituted classes for 'early maturity,' for 'cost 
of production,' and for the 'slaughter test' ; 
but it would seem that a competition might eas- 
ily be established in connection with the Smith- 
field Club Show, and particularly so whenever 
it is available for entries from the other prin- 
cipal shows — in the shape of one collective class 
for early maturity, as demonstrated on the 
block, to be determined by a set of judges com- 
posed solely of butchers, with separate honors 
dependent on 'economy of production,' as at- 
tested by breeders or feeders. The butcher's 
function should be to determine the best car- 
cass ; the committee should demonstrate by a 
simple statement on paper which had cost the 
least, relatively to age, when the butcher's ver- 
dict has been given. Something in this direc- 
tion, and embracing these salient points, will 
certainly have to be done if the great London 
Fat Stock Show is to keep pace with or within 
measurable distance of — similar educational in- 
stitutions on the other side of the Atlantic. 

"But there have recently been two very 
striking instances in connection with show-yard 
animals which tend to show more clearly that 
maturity does not necessarily consist of mere 
'fitness to kill,' although we submit that in both 
cases the question of cost could alone determine 
where the feeding process should have ceased, 
in order to afford the most perfect lesson in re- 
spect of 'economy of production.' The two ani- 
mals referred to'are Mr. John Price's Hereford 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



341 



ox, witli wliicli lie won tlie first Elkington chal- 
longc cup at liiiniiiiixhaiii, and ^[r. R. Wortk'v's 
iToss-lnvd nercronl-Shorthorn ox, which won 
th(^ Smithfickl C'hib champion plate last week. 
The iitatenicnt sliowing the statistical record of 
i\Ir. Jolin rricc'".s ox was given in our report of 
tile Birniingiiani Sliow, but it will be necessary 
to rejieat it in substance here for comparison 
with a similar statement in respect to Mr. Wort- 
lev's ox, the records of the two 3'ears referring 
to the two successive exhibitions of the animals 
in each case: 

MR. J. price's HEREFORD. 

Age Weight Average 



Exhibited at 



1551 Birmingliam. 

1552 Birmingham . 



days. 

970 
1,335 



in 

pounds. 

1.918 
2,312 



1.97 
1.75 



MR. R. WORTLEY S CROSS-BRED. 



Date. Exhibited at in 

days. 

1SS3 Birmingham. . 924 
1S8-1 London 1,289. 



Weight 
pounds. 

1,8S9 
2,617 



Average 
daily 



2.04 
2.03 



"Now, these two animals afford very remark- 
able evidence in support of the growing opinion, 
to which we have called attention above, that 
mere fitness to kill, at an early age, does not 
constitute 'maturity' in the true, or possibly 



even in the economical sense of the word. These 
Iwo animals show a daily rate of increase be- 
tween their 2^ and 3^ years form, which is 
highly suggestive as to theory as well as very 
startling in point of fact. The cross-bred has 
actually maintained his 2^-year-old rate of in- 
crease for one whole year longer — for the differ- 
ence of one point in the decimals is due to tiie 
value of the remainder—which we take to afford 
a wholly unprecedented experience in our re- 
ported show-yard animals. Clearly the 3}-ycar- 
old form of these two remarkable prize winners 
is a great improvement on their 24-year-old 
form — an improvement, however, which cannot 
be equitably demonstrated by the figures. For 
example, the Hereford steer as a steer was a 
more perfect animal than was the cross-bred, so 
much so that we contended at the time that he 
was as good as a beast need be made ; whereas, 
the cross-bred was merely a most promising 
frame-work — imperfectly covered — that could 
not possibly have stood a chance with the Here- 
ford had they been competing side by side at 
the same age. Our personal recollections of the 
tw-o animals — refreshed by reference to memo- 
randa made at the respective dates — enables us 
to say this much. Yet the best Hereford ox yet 
shown in a fat stock show comes in rather a bad 
second to this marvelous cross-bred. However, 




SALE RING AT STOCKTONBURY, LEOMINSTER, HEREFORDSHIRE, ENG., 1S84. 



H 1 S T K Y F H E R !•] FORD C A T T L E 



343 



the Hereford men have no cause to grumble; 
it was their blood 'on top." 

"Our friend, Mr. T. L. Miller, of Beeeher, 
J 11., V. S. A., who is tile most persistent and 
consistent advocate of Hereford blood, pure or 
adulterated in every possil)le way, provided it 
is 'on top,' will have a iiuist unique exainjile to 
(|Uote in favor of his long time argument to the 
etfect that the Hereford hull on the Shorthorn 
cow would, could and should work wonders. As 
a )natter of fact it has produced a champion 
prize winner at Chicago in 1883, and a chain- 
jiioii prize winner in I^ondon in 1884; the latter 
l)eiiig such a winni>r as no show has ever before 
produced. This is saying a good deal, but we 
think it can be sustained. Look at 2.03 pounds 
per day from birth, for the heaviest beast in the 
show; onlv 148 pounds lighter than the ele- 
phantine '\\'clsh Jumbo,' which, at Birmingham, 
stood, tail, if not head, above the six feet high 
partition boards! Has there ever been weight 
for age to equal this? Again, the most remark- 
able feature about this animal is the gain of fi 
cwt., 2 qrs. (728 pounds) in the interval of one 
year and one week between the Birmingliam 
Rliow in 1S83, ami tlie T^ondon Show in 1SS4. 
It was not at all ditlicult to find fault with this 
animal. He had weak points, from the point of 
the shoulder to the outside flank and thigh, to- 
gether with a comparatively indifferent cut oj' 
rump steak; but all this was simply nothing 
when considering the top, together with his im- 
mense substance through the heart, and where- 
ever substance is valuable — with but slight 
drawbacks. WTiatever his faults may have 
been, his weight was almost all in the best 
places, and such a weight in such proportions 
we may not see again. Such results two years 
following in America and in England should go 
far towards bringing about the life-aim of T. Tj. 
Miller, which — so far as we understand it — is 
to put the Hereford bull 'on top' of all the cow 
stock of the T^nited States, from pure-bn'd 
Shorthorns to the native scrubs and the long- 
horned, half Spanish cattle of far-away Texas. 
Indeed, his enthusiasm does not stop here; he 
would put the white-face trademark on all the 
cattle of the world." 

This cross-bred ox took, in addition to the 
champion plate of £100 (.$500), the £50 (.$250) 
cup as best ox or steer, the £30 ($150) breed 
cup as the best cross-bred, and the first prize 
of £25 ($125) in his class; in all, £210, or 
$1,050. He also took the champion prize at 
Xorwich. 

To show the difference in gain per day. and 
contrast ^Ir. Wortley's Hereford steer with the 
Shorthorn steer shown in Chicago, we quote 



the following from the English "Live Stock 
Journal," which was published under the title 
of "A Tale of Two Champions" : "It may be of 
interest to compare the returns made for a 
year's feeding by the two animals which may be 
deemed the champions of the season here and 
in the United States. 

"The American champion, 'Clarence Kirklev- 
ington,' an almost pure Bates Shorthorn, had 
this advantage over Mr. Wortley's half-bred ox; 
that the trial continued until his carcass was 
examined in the butcher's shop. 'Clarence 
Kirklevington,' at his death, had a live weight 
of 2,400 pounds, at an age of 1,372 days. The 
Islington champion had a live weight of 2,589 
pounds at 1,292 days — a marked superiority 
for the Britisher. 

" 'Clarence Kirklevington' had for his last 
year's feeding increased 355 pounds; Mr. Wort- 
ley's ox in the same period, waxed 811 pounds, 
or more than double, and most wonderful of 
all, the Islington champion weighed at Xor- 




COMPANY ATTE.XDIXG .Sli )C)vTu.\lJUK V SALE, 

AUGUST, 1894. 

Lord Wilton (4740) 4057 and two of his sons. 

wieh, on Xov. 20, 1884, 22 cwt., 3 qrs., 13 lbs. 
(or 2,561 pounds), and had on Dec. <), in spite 
of traveling, etc., put on 31 pounds more, show- 
ing a steady increase still going on." 

Referring to the above comment on "Kirklev- 
ington" carcass and the credit given to the Bates 
breeding, it is due history to say that it was one 
of the worst carcasses in the show ; and tlie 
award was the great and crowning blunder of a 
series of blunders committed by the Judges of 
the Fat Stock Show of 1884. 

In this connection we would contrast, or 
rather compare the champion ox at the Smith- 
field Club's first show in 1799. At seven years 
old, winner of the first prize at the first meeting 
of the Smithfield Club in 1799. Bred bv Mr. 



344 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Tully, Huntington, Hereford ; fed by Mr. West- 
car, Aylesbury, Bucks. (See illustration.) 

The English Journal, "Agriculture, the Ten- 
ant Farmer's Journal," says of the ox as fol- 
lows: "Hi 1799, the Smithtield Club was 
founded. From the Hcrefords this winner came, 
and a noble ox he was, as we find an authentic 
record that in height he stood (i feet 7 inches, 
his girth having been 10 feet 4 inches while his 
weight was 247 stone, or nearly 31 cwt. [3,450 
ixninds, American weight — T. L. M.] This reads 
far al)ove the figures that serve to note jDropor- 
tions at the present time, but as to this it is well 
to mention that tliis ox had attained the age of 
seven years, consequently his full growth had 
been obtained. There is a striking difference 
between the Hereford ox of 1799 and 1884, al- 
though both belong to the same pure breed, but 
an interval of eighty-five years separated them. 
During that somewhat long period much was 
done to improve the type and characteristics. 




UOWNTON CASTLE, HEREFORDSHIRE. 
(Photo of 1902.) 

The ox of 1799 had worked three or four years 
as was the custom in those days, whereas the 
present show specimens for tiu' greater part are 
spared all efforts in seeking their food, and they 
never work. It is not our desire to underrate 
the oxen of olden time. As working animals 
they might have been immensely superior to 
such as we now possess, and no douljt they were. 
But for show purposes work is decidedly against 
the ox, inasmuch as it bares the shoulders, and 
thins the neck, both of which are serious defects 
in the opinion of the best judges of stock. If 
we make this allowance for our champion, and 
a little also for tlie hollow-back labor frequently 
occasioned, we find liim a great, fine ox, and can 
picture him to have lieen almost a team of him- 
self, although according to our modern standard 
of symmetry he might be somewhat below it. 
Be this as it may, we can, however, point to the 



fact that Hcrefords have been vastly improved 
u]jon those of last century, and that their repu- 
tation was never so wide and pronounced as at 
the jsresent time. As we propose giving several 
illustrations in this journal, giving the early 
type of Hcrefords, a few remarks on the ac- 
cepted history of the breed may be of interest 
to our readers. 

"The origin of Herefords is obscure, but it 
dates back many centuries, and in all proba- 
bility to the reign of King John. Speed has 
recorded the existence at that period of 'white 
cattle' in the adjoining county of Brecknock, 
and there is no aiithentic account or tradition, 
even, that the black cattle of the Principality 
were other than we now find them ; it is pretty 
safe to conclude that no admixture of white 
breed has ever taken place. From time imme- 
morial Welsh cattle have been black, and if 
occasionally on the borders a Hereford cow pro- 
duced a chance calf with black markings, that 
calf never became a breeding animal, but was 
drafted at the first opportunity. 

"But should these white cattle have been in- 
troduced into Herefordshire — and their ex- 
istence at the period mentioned seems beyond 
reasonable doul)t — the origin of the present 
Hcrefords is comparatively easy to account for. 
N^ow, of what was a Hereford primarily com- 
posed ? The answer of the physiologist, viewing 
the type of to-day, would be that the parents 
were red and white. Nothing is more certain 
than that the markings of the Hereford have 
been in a way created by most careful and con- 
tinuous breeding. The white face with red 
body were not nature's colors, they were not 
s]iontancous, l)ut came as the result of mating 
the white breed referred to with the rod cattle 
that possibly had long occupied the valley of 
the Wye, Lugg, Frome, Arrow and Tcmo. 

"During the Saxon era the county of Here- 
ford was strongly guarded by the English 
against tlie inroads of the Welsh chieftains, and 
this.no doubt, led to the introduction of red cat- 
tle from other parts of the kingdom. In these 
earlv times herds of cattle usually followed in 
the wake of armies, and it is extremely probalde 
tliat the aboriginal breed of Sussex and Devon, 
which stocked the southern counties, was dis- 
patched thither in considerable numbers where 
many of them bred, and thus stocked "tlie Here- 
ford district. But whatever might have been 
brought about after this manner there is no 
uncertaintv as to the dark red and mottled- 
faced cattle of Herefordshire having been some- 
what plentiful in the last century. For several 
hundred years the horned stock of the country 
was comparatively isolated from its kindred 
breed by the inferior cattle of the large dairying 



HISTORY OP IIEHKFOKJ) CATTLE 



345 



districts in tlie counties of (iloucestcr, Wilts 
ami Somerset. Owing to this circumstance, and 
being surrounded b}' sorts in no respect of equal 
merit, the breeders in Hcreiordshire were fain 
to be content with what they possessed, and 
thus, by degrees, purity of blood and fixity of 
ty|)e were established in their cattle. Much 
uncertainty has existed as to the type of Here- 
ford that prevailed in the past century. In 
respect of this there should not be any. For 
ages there has been no record or tradition of 
any blending of blood, and in the absence of 
such evidence, we may fairly conclude that no 
fresh blood has been sought since the amalga- 
mation of tlie white cattle of Brecknock with 
the red stock of Herefordshire in the reign of 
King John, which produced in the process of 
time, the famous race now known ever}'where 
as 'Hercfords.' 

"So recent as a hundred years ago there was 
no recognized color for the breed ; they were 
nearly every color; black, black tints and brindle 
alone p:xcei'TED. Nobody sot much store on 
color, the test of value having been in the size 
and working powers of the oxen. It was then 
in the matter of color precisely what it is now 
with cart horses; for oxen then were bred quite 
as much for drauglit purposes as for beef, and 



but few thought of fattening three-year-old 
steers. To have done so would have been looked 
upon not only as a waste of working power, but 
also as a great loss in the production of beef. 
The yeomen of the country were exceedingly 
proud of their noble teams of oxen, and one vied 
with another in breeding and 'working the best 
in his neighborhood. Herds of repute were 
then many, but a fine choice herd was then 
termed a 'good stock' and to have a good stock 
was considered a sufficient guarantee of purity 
of breed. The grand old ox mentioned is a good 
representative specimen of the Tully's variety 
of Herefords," 

Then again we find in the "Hants and Berks 
Gazette" (1884) as follows: 

"How far is early maturity likely in future 
to influence decisions at fat cattle shows, and to 
what extent ought it to influence them, are 
points not unlikely to become of pressing im- 
portance. A decision in the agricultural hall 
last week bears on this point and is particularly 
noteworthy, as it brought two of the sets of 
judges into direct collision. 

"The Shorthorn judges gave the breed cup 
to the Queen's remarkably wealthy heifer, thus 
placing her above all the first prize steers, as 
well ns ■\Tr. V\. Stratton's first ])rize cow, but 



^-'^:u;--n. 



j^'^ ■ -^ 






fi^M- i\ 



^n^Bfr^w-i*-**":- .-^<^>?Sft= 3y?wcs;w£; 



^:««--Jt£ti^.«aMsaj>a»^a, 



'^256E 



HAMPTON COl'RT. LEOMIXSTER. HEREFORDSHIRE^ 
The seat of J. H. Arkwright. 



346 



IIISTOHY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



when another bench had to decide for the cham- 
pion plate tlie judges did not take the usual 
course of deciding between the best steer or ox 
and the best heifer or cow, but had up the whole 
of the first prize animals for further inspection. 
This resulted, it is true, in the champion plate 
being awarded to ilr. Wortley's beast, already 
pronounced to be the best male, but as reserve 
to the champion plate, they selected Mr. Hugh 
Gorringe's Shorthorn steer under two years, 
which had won the first prize, consequently the 
latter was pronounced to be the second best 
beast in the show, although he had been pre- 
viously beaten for the Shorthorn breed cup by 
the Queen's heifer. The circumstance is pecu- 
liarly relevant to the point of in(iuiry I have 
just made, inasmuch as prime quality united to 
early maturity was what chiefly distinguished 
Mr. H. Gorringe's steer — characteristics w-hich 
another set of judges had not placed completely 
in ascendency over the riper early maturity or 
a few months older combined to such greater 
wealth possessed by the Queen's heifer. 

"In speaking recently at a meeting of the 
Marshbrook Agricultural Society, Mr. J. Hill, 
of Felhampton. spoke of the rare excellence of 
the first cross between a Hereford bull and a 
Shorthorn cow. mentioning that the champion 
ox at Chicago last year was of this variety as 
well as the crack animals in England this year, 
which has filled highest positions at the TvTor- 
wich and Smithfield Shows. Xn doubt Mr. 
Hill's opinion is worthy of being paid high 
deference to in assuming that such a cross is 
the very best for grazing purposes that can pos- 
siblv be made, but it should be remembered 
that there are very few crosses in the past in 
general farming, where both sire and dam have 



been absolute pure-bred, owing to the dam be- 
ing usually considered far too valuable to breed 
to any bull but one of her own breed. The 
progeny of pure-bred Devon cows mated with 
Hereford sires would probalily be superior for 
grazing purposes even to the Hereford-Short- 
horn cross, unless the Shorthorn cow was very 
much superior, as much better quality would be 
derived. Further, it may be worthy of note that 
Mr. Miller, when in England about a year since, 
remarked what valuable grown beasts might be 
bred by many in the western shires, who have 
Devon herds, if they were only to cross them by 
Hereford bulls. 

"Another ob,servation of Mr. Hill's in the 
speech alluded to is worthy of note, as it was a 
reply to the strictures of Mr. Coleman, in his 
report on prize farms in the Royal Agricultural 
Society's Journal, on the method of calf-rearing 
as adopted by Hereford breeders. He said the 
Royal judges were unable to perceive how it 
could pay to keep a cow all the year just to rear 
one calf, but he thought if the superior early 
maturity of the calf was considered, full com- 
pensation would be obtained for the sacrifice of 
milk by obtaining a much better beast. This, 
however, may be a matter of opinion. The 
point of a better animal being produced by con- 
tinuing the system than by hand rearing, was 
scarcely disputed by Mr. Coleman and the Royal 
judges. All they ventured to doubt was wlu'ther 
too much is not sacrificed for the early maturity 
and better beast, especially as it comprehends 
the probable impairment of the cow's milking 
properties in the future. The question is prob- 
ably one scarcelv admitting of satisfactory de- 
cision without absolute experiments." 



11 1 S T U V O F H E 1{ !•: F () U L) C A T T I. E 



347 



CHAPTER XXXIY. 

Hekkkord Movkmkxts Bk(;i\ to Command iiik Opposition's Respect 



The investigation of the opposition to Here- 
foids, and the means used by Shorthorn breed- 
ers from the time of Youatt until the present, 
would shadow and dim the operations of the 
Star Route conspirators. These operations, it 
will be noticed, have been directed against the 
Ilerefords and those interested in them with 
the utmost venom and vindictiveness. When 
Mr. Youatt, at the dictation of the Shorthorn 
breeders, put forth all the facts he could reach 
to advance that interest, and suppressed the 
facts that would advance and maintain the 
claims of the Herefords, from that time until 
now, these tactics have been practiced. In 1.S34 
Youatt wrote in the interest of the Shorthorns ; 
in 18.39 the Royal was established and run in 
the Shorthorn interest ; in 1851, control of the 
Sniithfield Club was obtained and run in this 
interest; in 1841, the New York Society was 
established and officered and run for tlie benefit, 
and in the interest of the Shorthorns, by Short- 
horn breeders. 

All these schemes have been continuously 
practiced. Stating these facts as a matter of 
history, we will take up and discuss the oper- 
ations of the Illinois State Agricultural Society 
and its management. We wish to be fairly un- 
derstood in the position wo take. When we 
charge the Shorthorn breeders of this country 
and England, we speak of them as writers would 
speak of political parties when they are charged 
with corrupt practices. It does not follow tliat 
the rank and file are included in the charges 
of corruption; but it is of those who manipu- 
late these corrupt and fraudulent plans. Their 
supporters are led and influenced into support- 
ing thes(> leaders and their plans. So it is with 
the large bulk of Shorthorn breeders. They 
accept Youatt as authoritv for the early stand- 
ing of the Shorthorns. Thev inquire for some 
work that will give them information that may 
be considered a reliable guide, and they will 
be directed to Allen's work on American cattle, 
or to .\mbrose Stevens, Youatt and ^Fartin. 
Would we be saving too much, that they have 



ilone as much as they could to bring the Short- 
horns to the notice of the reader, and as little 
as they could to bring the merits of the Here- 
fords "before the public? There is much that 
cither might have found if they had wished. As 
early as 1840, H. S. Randall quoted Youatt 
against the Herefords in his controversy with 
Mr. Sothani. He ought then to have "known 
that Youatt was the editor for the Shorthorn 
work. 

The first show held under the direction of 
the Illinois State Board, we think, was in 1853 ; 
and we think no one will question the fact that 
it was largely under the control of the Short- 
horn breeders and that the claims of that breed 
were pushed; but of tlie earlier years of this 
society we have not much to say. The premi- 
ums, so far as we know, were uniform for 
Shorthorns, Herefords and Devons. 

This was true in 1873, when the Herefords 
made their show under Miller and Powell, and 
for 1873 and 1874; but in 1875 the Shorthorn 
premiums were raised about 70 per cent and the 
Herefords reduced about 33 per cent ; and dur- 
ing four years a majority of the judges for herd 
and sweepstakes premiums were Shorthorn 
breeders, and they ignored the Herefords as 
completely as though they had not been on the 
ground. While the Hereford premiums were 
reduced in 1875, the Jerseys were permitted to 
stand as before, and Shorthorn advocates would, 
under these circumstances, proclaim awards 
rendered by Shorthorn judges as evidence of 
merit. And this is not peculiar to Shorthorn 
breeders of Illinois, but it is the rule, whether 
in lllinoi.s, New York, Ohio, Kentuekv or Eng- 
land. 

In 187fi the Illinois State Board put the 
Shorthorn premiums back to what they were 
previous to 1875, but did not change the Here- 
ford.s. In 1877, the Board still further reduced 
the Shorthorn premiums and advanced the 
Herefords, making them even, and placed the 
Tuilk breeds on the same basis, in which condi- 
tion thev have remained until now. 



348 



HISTORY OP HEREFORD CATTLE 



But tliis equalization was opposed by the 
Sliorthorn breeders outside, and by their friends 
in the Board; and while all breeds were per- 
mitted to compete for herd and sweepstakes 
premiums, they were obliged to do so under 
Shorthorn judges; and Shorthorn breeders and 
advocates said to the Hereford breeders, "When 
you can win before our agricultural shows, then 
we want them." We have mentioned in detail, 
elsewhere, the show for 1878. 

In 1879 the judges were selected previous to 
the fair, and no protest was permitted. This 
year, and the year 1877, the judging was fairly 
conducted — both 1877 and 1879 followed two 
specially partisan years, the first under W. J. 
Neely and Col. Judy, and the second under Col. 
Judy, both Shorthorn iDreeders. We are not 
advised fully, or are not authorized to speak 
for the Board, when we say that the partisan 
action in 1876 and 1878 brought the Board to 
the determination to do something to check the 
manipulations of the Shorthorn men. Still, we 
believe that it is true. 

The inauguration of the Fat Stock Show was 
an innovation upon the Shorthorn plans. They 



had been showing fat and barren cows ; they had 
selected the top animals from different herds, 
and often these show herds represented a fair 
fortune; and while the country was full of 
these show herds and winning as breeding stock, 
they could not bring a respectable showing of 
cows that would win before the butcher. 

At the tirst Fat Stock Show in 1878, the 
Hereford cow "Jennie" took the sweepstakes 
jjremium for best cow in the show. The Here- 
ford cow won the sweepstakes fairly in 1879, 
though there might have been a chance for a 
difference of judgment; but in 1880, of all the 
partisan work tliat had been done, this was the 
most glaring; and as an evidence that we do 
not express simply an opinion from a Hereford 
standpoint, we will say that of all the Shorthorn 
writers that undertook to get comfort out of 
that show, not one, as far as we know, made a 
claim for winning the sweepstakes for the best 
cow in the show. 

The judging in 1880, when the different 
breeds came into competition, was first on 
grades, and was wholly and entirely indefen- 
siljle. The judges were discharged for cause, but 




COUR- 
Residence of J. Pru 



hn.-E. ri;Mi;iuiii;i;, Herefordshire. 

Mr. Harry Yeid and Mr. John Price in the toreground. 



HISTOKY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



349 



still the verdict was perniittcd to stand. A pro- 
test wasi made against tlie awards on grounds of 
gross injustice. This was admitted. "But," 
said the Hoard, "we have no way to set aside 
an award except on account of fraud." One of 
llie Board very correctly said, "A court, when- 
ever a Jury brings in a verdict contrary to evi- 
dence, sets it aside, and the Jury is discharged. 
We," said the member, "have discharged the 
judges, and it follows that the awards should 
be set aside." 

The next day the Herefords, in competition 
witii thoroughbreds and grades, took the sweep- 



fords, 3 years old ; one Shorthorn, 9 years old ; 
one Hereford, 2 years old; two Shorthorns, 1 
year old ; one Hereford, 1 year old. Of the 
yearling Shorthorns, Mr. Gillette entered one 
and Mr. Mouinger the other, but both refused to 
dress. Mr. Gillette entered and dressed both 
the Shorthorns. 

The Shorthorn breeders, it will be noticed, 
did not ])ropose to iK'ing their breed to this test, 
except Mr. Moninger, and he refused to fulfill. 
The test by dressing is the one that comes the 
nearest to a perfect measurement. 

While the Shorthorn breeders claimed greater 




H)KD WILTON (4710) 40.j7 A.ND TWO OF HI.S DAUGHTERS. 



stakes for each age — on two and three-year-old 
steers. We have already alluded to the award 
on the cow. For the best beast in the show 
the Shorthorns took this under protest, and 
the Herefords took the reserve vote for this 
also. 

We would now call attention to the dress- 
ing of the bullocks. The Shorthorn breeders 
claimed greater size, heavier hind-quarters as 
compared with the fore-quarters, with smaller 
heads, feet, etc. Those who tried to detract 
from the Hereford victory did not discuss the 
details of this test. There were entered for 
dressing, one Shorthorn, 3 years old ; two Here- 



size, the three-year-old bullocks offered by them 
were 20 per cent lighter than the Herefords; 
and the two-year-old was 10 per cent lighter 
than the Hereford two-year-old. The hind- 
quarters of the Hereford premium steer were 
40 pounds lighter than the fore-quarters; while 
the hind-quarters of the Shorthorn were 108i 
pounds lighter, while of the two-year-olds the 
Herefords showed a difference of 40 pounds, 
and the Shorthorns 55i pounds. 

Another point the Shorthorn advocates made 
was as to heavy heads. By an examination of 
the figures it will be found that even here the 
percentage is, with the Herefords. The Here- 



350 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 




SAMUEL GOODE. 



ford exhibitors met every point in contest and 
showed greater merit for their breed. 

These tests, however, do not touch the real 
question at issue between the two breeds, to-wit, 
the cost of production and value of product. 
As a result of these showings, however, the ac- 
cessions to the number of Hereford breeders at 
that time were large and consisting of men of 
large nieans and great experience in cattle rais- 
ing and feeding. 

The arguments used to show the unparalleled 
excellence of the Shorthorns are often of the 
flimsiest nature. 
In the Seventh 
Annual Meeting 
of the Iowa Im- 
jjroved Stock 
Breeders' Associa- 
tion, Mr. Bliny 
Nichols presented 
the claims of the 
Shorthorns a n d 
stated his posi- 
tion. First, to 
show the merits of 
the Shorthorn as a 
combined machine 
for milk and beef; 
second, his merits 
for beef alone, and 
third, his value 
for the improve- 
ment of natives and other breeds. On the 
first he claimed that 75 per cent of cattle 
for beef and the dairy in England are of 
Shorthorn blood, quite oblivious of the fact, 
that on the same principle, he might claim that 
as 75 per cent of the cattle for beef and dairy 
were scrub stock, therefore it was best. Wc 
quote Mr. C. F. Clarkson, speaker at the same 
convention, who preceded Mr. Xichols, as fol- 
lows: "Our modern breeders claim that they 
have improved this stock (the Shorthorn) in 
grace and form, while they sacrificed the milk- 
ing qualities, until it requires the aid of some 
other breed to raise their calves." 

With this quotation we will pass the claims 
to a combined machine and notice Mr. Nichols 
on the Shorthorn for beef alone. He said, "For 
early maturity, size, hardiness, prepotency, cost 
of production and value of product, the Short- 
horn excels all others." If Mr. Nichols had 
closed this schedule of merits by saying he does 
vot excel all others, he would have made a 
statement that he could have maintained. 

The contest that year (1879) for the cham- 
pion prize at Smithfield for the best beast in 
the show, was between a Hereford and Short- 



hoiTi under two years and six months old. They 
were of the same weight and ages. On this 
point there was no difference, but the award 
was given to the Shorthorn, and there were 
those who questioned the correctness of the 
award. Knowing that a Hereford always sells 
for more money per pound in London, we ques- 
tioned the justice of the decision and had cuts 
made of the two steers. (]\ 246) The "ilark 
Lane Express" gave it as their opinion that the 
award was right, "although," they say, "the 
Hereford was the firmer fleshed animal," and 
a little further questioning elicited the fact that 
the two !)ullocks going to the butcher, the Here- 
ford would have ?old for the most money. If 
then the champion steer of this show was a two- 
year-old, and the choice was between two, a 
Hereford and a Shorthorn of the same age and 
weight, and the Hereford was of a quality to 
command the larger price in the market, he 
should have had the champion place. This 
must have been known to Mr. Nichols when he 
came before the Iowa Society. He might, with 
the same propriety, point to the awards of the 
Iowa Agricultural Society as an evidence of 
merit for his breed. 

Jlr. Nichols then took the Chicago Fat Stock 
Show and averaged it for three years, and said, 
"Of course exceptional cases can be given where 
the Herefords have attained good weights and 
creditable gains per day from birth, especially 
when they have resorted to the Shorthorn blood 
to make the cross on." 

Now, Mr. Nichols and other Shorthorn breed- 
ers ought to have known that the claim was not 
valid. The truth is that the Shorthorn on the 
native cattle of the country, has not produced 
a uniform bullock. There is no reliability to 
be placed upon the character of the bullock 
bred from native or scrub cows by the use of 
the Shorthorn bull, and we must give the same 
iincertainty to the heifers as to the bullocks, 
and these heifers we must use — heifers that no 
Shorthorn man would admit bore any resem- 
blance to the Shorthorn type — and when we put 
the Hereford bull upon these heifers and pro- 
duce winning steers, they turn around and 
claim the merit for the Shorthorn. But it is 
not true, and the claim that was made by An- 
derson and endorsed bv Nichols as to the bul- 
lock at the Fat Stock Show of 1880 was fraud- 
ulent. 

Said Mr. Nichols, "The Hereford breeders 
have by such extraordinary means captured 
scarcely one-third the premiums as against 
Shorthorns." The managers of the Fat Stock 
Show offered a premium, first and second, for 
the best grade three-year-old steer ; for the best 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



351 



grade two-vear-old steer; for the liest grade 
one-year-old steer; and sweepstakes for the 
best of any breed three years old; for the best 
of any breed two years old, and for the best of 
any i)reed one year old; for the best cow of any 
lireed three years old, or over; for the best 
beast in the sliow. Here are eleven premiums 
in the jirades, six first and second. The Here- 
fords took two seconds. The Judges, in this 
case, the president discharged for cause; and 
when tlie Herefords came into competition 
again with these and the thoroughbreds the 
next day under a committee selected with 
greater care, the Herefords took every premium, 
and when we take the fact that the judges in 
the first case were dismissed for cause, it was 
not in good taste for such Shortliorn men to 
claim honor for the awards. On the sweep- 
stakes cow a special committee was appointed, 
and the Sliorthorn cow taking the award was 
nothing more than what would be termed a 
luit'O'er's beast at tlu^ yards, and for the best 
beast of the show, the Shorthorn steer taking 
the award had been fully discussed in the press ; 
and the adinission of the animal was not gen- 
erally deemed creditable to the Board or the 
Shorthorn men. Out of eleven premiums the 
Herefords took five, and were entitled to eleven. 
For dressed bullocks they took two out of three. 
Out of fourteen premiums they took seven and 
were entitled to thirteen. The Shorthorns took 
on grade steers four premiums on three steers 
under a committee of judges that were dis- 
missed for cause and under another committee 
the Herefords reversed these awards. 

Shorthorns may have improved the common 
cattle of the countrv, perhaps, as Mr. Xichols 
said. $10 a head, or an addition of $400,000,0(10 
to the cattle of the country. This was pretty 
extensive figuring, and we promised to take the 
Hereford and put him upon this Shorthorn 
produce, and add $20 a head to the value, and 
leave Mr. Xichols to estimate the result. This 
is the point we made and continue to reiterate, 
that beef can be made on Hereford cattle at 25 
per cent less cost than on Shorthorn cattle. 

Mr. A. S. Matthews, in his efforts to bolster 
up the Shorthorns and depreciate the Here- 
fords, gave an account in the "Xational Live 
Stock Journal" of the Shorthorns at Smith- 
field. 

Tn 18T0 the champion prize for the best beast 
in the show was between a Hereford and a 
Shorthorn nndiT two years and six months old, 
to which we ha\e referred. The Hereford was 
the e(|ual in weijrht and gain per day, and was 
worth more on the markef. and still he was left 
without the honor. For what reason ? Because 



of Shorthorn influence in the nmnagement and 
in the judges. The facts given as to the judges 
in llie show of tlie Illinois State Board, is as 
applicable to the Smithfield, and from this rea- 
son, we presume, the Hereford men have kept 
from the show. 

Mr. Matthews then devoted considerable space 
to show the greater weight of the Shorthorns. 
If he had taken the history of Mr. Charles Col- 
ling with the early Shorthorns, he would have 
found that a good portion of his life as a 
breeder was devoted to experiments to reduce 
the size and coarseness by crossing with the 
Scotch breeds. 

Youatt says: "He (Colling) was sensible 
also of the difficulty of breeding, with anything 
like certaintv, large good animals. He found 
the Teeswater like all other extravagantly lai'ge 
animals, frequently of loose make and disposi- 
tion." The Scotch cross helped him out of his 
difficulty, and the same is necessary now. Writ- 
ers in those.days gave the Scot credit, but not so 
the writers of my time. 

Quotations were made by Mr. Matthews from 
the "Mark Lane Express" to support his Short- 
horn claims of important victory at Smithfield, 
187!), and we gave him the benefit of that jour- 
nal's remarks on the Bath and West of England 
Show in 1878, where they said : "We consider 
the Shorthorn cow class to be a disgrace to the 
breed, and therefore to the breeder. We are 
quite unable to discover the 'grandeur' and the 
'superb character' of these old crocks, which 




DALE TREDEGAR (5S56) 14682. AT 10 MONTHS. 
Bred by H. J. Bailey, exported to Australia. 

some of the Shorthorn fanciers appear to have 
the faculty of discerning, and do not hesitate 
to record them as being just a rough lot of 
cows; if their blood is of the bluest, their car- 
casses are of the ugliest, and not worth anything 
bevond contractor's price when they come at 
last to the shambles. We cannot helj) thinking 
that to an unprejudiced mind there must be evi- 
dence of a something quite outside of agricul- 
ture, and quite useless to the rent-paying farm- 
er, in this Shorthorn 'fajicy,' AVe are sensible of 



352 



HISTOEY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



the imjjrovemeiit that has been effeeted already 
in the rank and tile of our cattle throughout 
the country by the use of this Shorthorn blood ; 
we do not wish to detract one iota from its 
legitimate merits, but simply to point out 
wherein it becomes sometimes a matter for the 
ridicule of non-believers. We see prizes awarded 
systematically to animals which are not calcu- 
lated directly to improve the production either 
of meat or milk in their descendants, and we 
are told that there is some marvelous power or 
virtue stored up in their veins, and that al- 
though their bodies — the casket — are unsightly, 




ROYAL HEAU (44!Hl| loTlw AT i YEARS S MONTHS. 
Bred bv J. Williams, Herefordshire. Exported to Aus- 
tralia. 

their blood — the jewel — is pure, potent, and 
almost priceless. Well, we simply do not be- 
lieve it, as they put it. We are perfectly well 
aware that any 'terribly in-bred' weed, a wretch 
to look at, but having an unexceptional pedi- 
gree, will, if matched with mongrel-bred stock, 
produce a result, which is far, very far, in ad- 
vance of the mongrel-bred dams ; but so would 
any absolutely pure-bred animals. Therefore, 
we think that farmers, those who have the pro- 
duction of beef or milk in view, have a right 
to expect something which is calculated to effect 
their object in a direct manner; no breeder of 
Inillocks would give herd room, much less a 
high price, for the bluest blood bull which did 
not carry a frame the character of which it was 
desirable to transmit. When a lot of highly- 
bred but not correctly fashionable young bulls 
are to be bought for about 30 pounds sterling 
($150) apiece, and here and there one which 
has been bred correctly to fashion fetches 3,000 
pounds sterling ($15,000) and would not be 
worth one shilling more to the food producer, 
then we think we are justified in saying that 
rent-paying farmers have already drawn the 
line between business and fancy by refusing to 
give more than a business price for a fancy 
article. We should be glad to see every young 
Shorthorn bull now in the breeders' hands sold 
to tenant farmers, who would use them for meat 
or milk as their renuirements might decide, and 



are firm believers in the general usefulness and 
superior adaptability of the breed to any other; 
but we feel it a duty to point out the ridiculous 
position the Shorthorn breeders seem content to 
occupy at our great shows by the mixed quality 
and low status of many of the animals exhib- 
ited, and which gives opportunity for pointing 
the finger of scorn, and leads to such questions 
as, 'When is the bottom of this Shorthorn hum- 
bug likely to drop out?' We hear a good deal 
about the 'alloy,' and if correctly informed, it 
means an infusion of Scots blood of some kind, 
and to our mind the very thing these Short- 
horns are now needing is another infusion — a 
strong one of some alloy which will give them 
the thickness of flesh, the wealth of hair, and 
the butcher's form they so seldom possess, and 
then we should be prepared to expect great 
things of the renovated blood." 

Tlie same paper, in speaking of the Herefords 
at this show, says : 

"They are not so numerous as the more 
fashionable breed, but the quality throughout 
is excellent. In the aged bull class there are 
five animals of which the Hereford men need 
not be ashamed. 

"The heifers in milk or in calf numbered 
only three, but two of them were such animals 
as it was worth while coming to Oxford on 
purpose to see. Mrs. Sarah Edwards' 'Leonora' 
is one of the most perfect animals that has Ix'cn 
shown for years; if she had been a Duchess 
Shorthorn, a poem would have been composed 
in her honor, and translated into several lan- 
guages by this time. But no Shorthorn that we 
have ever seen was cast in such a mold as this 
Hereford heifer." 

On the awarding of the champion prizes at 
this show we quoted for Mr. Matthews' benefit, 
from the same authority, the following account : 

"The whole conclave of judges came into the 
ring to decide which was the best male horned 
animal in the yard, and here the Shorthorn men 
were in a hopeless minority — cornered in a 
manner that does not often happen to them in 
a show yard. Li vain they contrasted the strong 
points of the Shorthorn with the weak ones of 
the Hereford. It was all to no purpose, the 
rest could not get away from the Hereford, 
whose wonderful rib and forehand were too 
much for the Shorthorn, and a show of hands 
showed an overwhelming majority for the Here- 
ford. There is no doubt that had the Shorthorn 
judges been of sufficient numerical strength, 
ithey would not only have prevented this Here- 
ford triumph, but also that which followed, 
when the best female animal was to be decided 
upon, for it went sadly against the grain to 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



353 



award even such a lu'ilVr a.-i Jlrs. Edwards' 
'Leonora' the championship over the Shorthorn 
•Diana'; but it had to be done, and we think 
there were few outsiders wlio were not thor- 
oughly satisfied. These ehanipionsliip awards 
were an unquestionai)le streak ol' lean for the 
'fancy,' and we may depend ujron their not al- 
lowing such a thing to oi'cur again if they can 
possibly hel]) it. This, after the Hereford vic- 
tories at Paris, is about as much as they will be 
able to bear with pa'tience. We should be glad 
to see swee])stakes judging of this kind occur 
more frequently." 

Tile honors will be shifted from the Here- 
fonls to the Shorthorns, and from the Short- 
horns to the Herefords, and again the Polled- 
Angus may win over l)oth, so long as the judg- 
ing is upon the animal without regard to cost ; 
but when their merits are measured by the "cost 
of producing and value of iiroduet," there will 
be but one result, and that will always be in 
favor of Herefords. 

^[r. JIatthews understood very well that the 
Shorthorns, as a breed, had been bred to 
"Duke" bulls until in the language of the "Na- 
tional Live Stock Journal," they were a 
"coughing, wheezing, consumptive lot"; and 
in the language of Thornton's circular, "weeily 
offspring, delicate in constitution, and ill- 
adapted for crossing purposes." 

Mr. Matthews' statement as to conditions in 
England were, however, taken up by the "Mark 
Lane Express'' itself, which di'nied em])hati- 
cally Mr. M.'s assertion and said decidedly tliat 
the Shorthorn breed had not yet driven the 
Hereford breed off one acre of ground. In its 
issue for July 4, 1881, it said: "There is a 
lively controversy respecting the comparative 
merits of Shorthorns and Herefords going nn 
in the columns of the 'National Live Stock 
Journal' (Chicago), between Mr. A. S. Mat- 
thews, of Wytheville, Va., and ;Mr. T. L. Miller. 
of Beecher, 111., and they l)oth (piote the 'Mark 
Lane E.xpress' as supporting them in their n - 
s]iective arguments. Hi this controversy we 
have no wish to enter ; we shall enjoy seeing 
them fight it out. Neither of these gentlemen 
requires any assistance from us, but they each 
of them call for a remark or two from us in re- 
spect to some of their statements. 

"To begin with Mr. ^Matthews, as his letter 
conies first in the 'Journal' and is replied to in 
the same nmnber by Mr. ^liller: In referring 
to our re])ort of the last Islington Fat Stock 
Show, Mr. Matflunvs quot(>s what was there said 
of Mr. rjrissel's mixed-bred steer, 'by a Short- 
horn bull out of a non-pedigree cow,' namely, 
that he was precisely the sort of animal with 



which the British farmer must hope lo win in 
that struggle with foreign competition, an ani- 
mal which can be grown by a system of mixed 
husbandry, which has the production of meat 
and milk on arable land for its basis.' Now, 
if this is precisely the sort of animal that the 
breeders and graziers on all arable farms of 
mixed husbandry in the United States must 
grow if they expect to send beef, live or dead, to 
England at a profit, and these arable farms of 
mixed husbandry on which cattle can be bred, 
grazed and fattened profitably, include all the 
land east of the Rocky Mountains, and north 
of what may probably be termed the 'Cotton 
Belt,' in reply to this we have no hesitation in 
saying that where conditions of mixed hus- 
bandry exist in the United States, equivalent to 
those which constitute the essential features of 
mixed husbandry in England, the Shorthorn 
breed of cattle should, according to our ideas 
of the subject, be equally suitable and ser- 
viceable there as here. But we were under the 




JNO. G. IMBODEN. DECATUR. ILL. 
Celebrated expert judge. 

impression that east of the Rocky ilountains 
and north of the Cotton Belt there existed in 
the United States vast ])lains of grazing lands 
on which large herds of cattle are bred, reared 
and fattened, and it has been in reference to 
these supposed localities that we have ventured 
to express the opinion, that Herefords would do 
better than Shorthorns. If 'all the land east of 



354 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



the Rocky Mountains and north of the Cotton 
Belt,' which will include part of Wyoming, part 
of Colorado, nearly the whole of Montana, the 
whole of Dakota, Nebraska, and part of Kan- 
sas, not to mention such states as Minnesota, 
Iowa, part of Missouri, is devoted to mixed 
husliandry of the English type, then we have 
hitherto been greatly in error, for it was the 
district west of Chicago and east of the Rocky 




PHILIP D. ARMOUR. CHICAGO. 

The great packer and philanthropist was always a patron 

and lover of the Herefords. 

Mountains in which we imagined the Herefords 
could profitably be bred by allowing the calves 
to suck their dams, and reared for beef alone. 
There is a mistake somewhere. However, Mr. 
Matthews says nothing alrout the districts with- 
in or south of the Cotton Belt, and as we im- 
agine these include Arizona (^ 2-18), New 
Mexico, Texas and Arkansas, in some of which 
localities, notably Texas (^ 247), cattle are 
reared for beef alone, there must be at least a 
fair chance for the Herefords on the other side 
of the Atlantic. 

"We have one more remark to make respect- 
ing Mr. Matthew's statements. He says : 'After 
the Shorthorns have pretty much driven the 
Herefords out of England — for they don't seem 
to have increased in number? at all ; in fact, 
several other breeds seem to be gaining fast on 
the Herefords. especially the Polled Norfolk. 
Sussex and cross-breds — it will be something 
strange if the Herefords are to supplant the 



Shorthorns in America. What if Mr. Cochrane 
of Canada did buy about forty Herefords in 
England last year ? What of it ? I hardly sup- 
pose that forty Herefords would cost as much 
as Colonel Cannon gave for one of Mr. Coch- 
rane's Duchess heifers at Dexter Park last June, 
namely, $8,000.' Now, the Shorthorn breed 
has not yet driven the Hereford breed off one 
acre of ground. The Hereford breed of cattle 
is certainly anything but under a cloud just 
now. The breed does not extend its area, that 
we are aware of, .except possibly, in Cornwall, 
but it holds its own in its native districts. For 
purity of blood, uniformity of character and 
excellence of beef points the Hereford excels 
the Shorthorn by a long way, and every score 
of Hereford bullocks sold into the Midland 
grazing districts displaces so many Shorthorns; 
if forties could be had where only scores are 
obtainable, the displacement would be in the 
same increased ratio. Mr. ^latthews has not 
an iota of evidence to support his assumption 
that the Shorthorns are driving the Herefords 
out of England — except across the Atlantic to 
take their place. So far as displacement is 
concerned, the Shorthorns have crowded out 
mongrels to a great extent, but much remains 
for them to do in this respect; and they are 
pushing the Longhorns — a fine old race of cat- 
tle — to sure and certain extinction in course of 
time, because they contend on equal terms. The 
Devons and the Norfolk Polled cattle are also 
being crowded by the Shorthorns. But nowhere 
have they displaced the Herefords." 

To add a little more Shorthorn testimony as 
to the condition of the breed in these years of 
which we are writing, and when these contro- 
versies were being waged, we give a report, 
made by Mr. George Y. Johnson, secretary of 
the Kansas State Fair, to a Shorthorn Conven- 
tion held at Topeka : 
"Gentlemen of the Kansas State Shorthorn 

Association : 

"Your last year's essayist, Hon. F. D. Coburn, 
came before you, very properly, as the advocate 
or partisan of no particular breed, because he 
is not a breeder of cattle. I come before you 
under different circumstances— as a man, who, 
having measured his ability by his pocket book, 
his ahility to rear by his acreage, his ability to 
grow by what his land will produce ; measur- 
ing with some degree of accuracy, based upon 
average intelligence, the relative profit of a 
limited means devoted to breeding and raising 
cattle. 

"Aftt^r careful study and investigation, with 
the aid of such information as I was able to 
procure, I made my first venture in grade Short- 



HISTORY OF HEEEFORD CATTLE 



355 



horns and a thoroughbred bull, and have car- 
ried the breeding up from niininuun grades 
until I find the last product to i)e an animal 
|)0ssessing liT parts Shorthorn and one part 
native. I here became convinced that a remark 
made bv our friend, Colonel Robert HoUoway, 
of Illinois, to me j'ears ago, is forcibly true, viz., 
'A fault in form can be remedied by judicious 
breeding, but a stain on a pedigree can never be 
wiped out.' Hence, 1 purchased thoroughbred 
females of registered, faultless pedigrees, and 
have now no interest financially in any breeding 
cattle except Shorthorns and their grades. This 
nnich to show you that I come before you as a 
Shorthorn partisan, and that whatever I may 
snv upon this subject is said from the standpoint 
of a Shorthorn advocate, yet trusting that this 
p;irfiality may not blind my eye like those of a 
fond parent, so that no imperfections are dis- 
covered or recognized in my pets. 

THE BREEDS AT KANSAS CITY AND CHICAGO IN 

1883. 

"I find, bv a careful studv of classes at the 
Kansas City Fat Stock Show of 1SS3, that, ex- 
cluding car-load lots, there were 121 animals 
entered individually; of these the following 
classification is made: fifty-five grade Short- 
horns, twenty-two thoroughbred Shorthorns, 
eleven grade Herefords, ten thoroughbred Here- 
fords, five thoroughbred Angus, two thorough- 
bred Galloways, thirteen grade Galloways, two 
grade Holsteins, and one thoroughbred Hol- 
stein. 

"Taking thoroughbreds and grades and class- 
ing them altogether, we find the following aver- 
age results: 

KANSAS CITY. 

Av. daily 
BRFFim At. age Av. gain 
BREEDS. In days. weight. from 
liiith. 

One year and under two. 

27 Shorthorns 6.30 124S lbs. 1.17 

11 Herefords 598 1276 lbs. 2 1:) 

Two years and under three. 

12 ShortVorns .S12 1519 'bs. 1.71 

3 Herefords 992 17.3i5 'i-s. 1.7r, 

3 AnRUs and Galloways 1.004 1435 lbs. 1.43 

Three vears and under four. 

12 Shorthorns 1.''.52 1963 lbs. l.?6 

2 Herefords 1 38S 21fi5 'bs. 1.56 

2 Ang u s 1.313 1871 lbs. 1.42 

CHICAGO. 

^,. A V. dally 

BREEDS. ,>,hJ\T w'-ielit. ?,™ 

innd>b. 1, trom 

'"-^ liirth. 

One year and under two. 

48 Shorthorns 6S3 1244 1.96 

43 Herefords 534 1179 2.01 

Two years and under three. 

30 Shorthorns 903 1723 191 

22 Herefords 94'; ir,43 164 

1 Angus 999 1815 1.31 

Three years and under four. 

26 Shorthorns 1.370 2041 149 

7 Herefords 1.361 2052 150 

1 Angus 1,380 2355 1.70 



"From this it will be seen that the results at 
Kansas City and Chicago are practically the 
same, and hence in treating specifically we in- 
clude the other also. In the t-weepstakes rings, 
the committee, composed of old, experienced 
butchers, awarded as follows : 

"In the ring for two years old and under 
three there were at Kansas City fifteen entries, 
viz. : Ten Shorthorns, one Holstein, two Here- 
fords, and two Galloways. The premium was 
awarded to 'Benton's Champion,' a grade 
Hereford, or more properly a Hereford and 
Shorthorn cross. There were nineteen entries 
in the ring three years and under four, as fol- 
lows: Fifteen Shorthorns, two Herefords, one 
Angus and one Galloway. The premium was 
awarded to Starlight, a grade Shorthorn — 
seven-eighths Shorthorn, one-eighth native. 
From, all the foregoing we find the scales pretty 
evenly balanced between the Shorthorns and 
Hereifords. the black cattle coming in third. 




JAS. A. FUNKHOUSER, 
Plattsburg, Mo. 

The pr( ponderance really is in favor of the 
Herefords. 

A POOR EXCUSE. 

"It is a poor excuse or explanation to say that 
most of the premium animals claiming to be 
Herefords grades are really, crosses with the 
Sbortiiorns. as the following query suggests it- 
self to every unprejudiced man: If the Here- 
ford is an inferior animal, why should the cross 



356 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



upon the Shorthorn (a superior animal) pro- 
duce an animal superior to the superior? It 
may be some solace that at the Chicago show 
Starlight, a grade Shorthorn, took the sweep- 
stakes prize as best carcass in his class of three 
and under four years old, and was also awarded 
the grand sweepstakes prize as best carcass in 
the show ; but even this is somewhat tamed and 
dimmed by the fact that the vote of the judges 
was a tie on first ballot between Starlight and a 
black steer. Waterside Jock, and another, and 




FORTUNE L'llXdI. 
Champion dressed 
carcass, Kansas City Fat Stock Show, 1885. 



PURE BRED STEER EKED 
Bred by J. S. Hawes. Colony 



that the umpire called in, cast his vote for Star- 
light — leaving two votes for Starlight, one for 
the black steer and one for a Hereford. Hence, 
whatever may be our individual opinions, the 
fact remains "that it was a plurality, and not a 
majority vote, awarding him the grand sweep- 
stakes. 

what's the MATTKK with OrR LOUDLY SHORT- 
HORNS ? 

"From all this, are we not brought face to 
face with the cjuestion for causes? Why is it 
that the lordly Shorthorn, having held luidis- 
puted sway and acknowledged superior, peerless, 
is having to bow before the bald faces and black, 
hornless Polls ? We must admit that there is a 
fault somewhere, and that it is about time to 
cease much of this mutual admiration business, 
and leave off this tooting of Shorthorns with 
immeasurable pedigrees, and look to the causes 
of these defeats. I feel a delicacy in saying the 
following, as it should have been proclaimed in 
every Shorthorn meeting for the past ten years 
by much older breeders than myself. 

"We seem to be crying aloud to make a noise, 
to attract attention from something ; a kind of 
'Great is Diana of the Ephesians' uproar ; and 
while we are at this foolishness, the Hereford, 
Angus, and Galloway men are intelligently and 



persistently pushing the claims of their pets, 
until they are within our very entrenchments 
and calling for unconditional surrender. Have 
we not rested under the shadow of a great fame, 
and relied upon the ancestry of our breed to 
carry us through everything, long enough? 
Have not Shorthorn breeders carried on a sense- 
less war upon strains of blood, out-crosses, line- 
breeding, belittling all others except their own, 
and bred many herds into degeneracy? Have 
they not sold for bulls to perpetuate faults, ani- 
mals that would not make good steers? Have 
they not bought and sold with too much regard 
for line pedigrees, and not enough care for the 
pedigree upon the animal's back? 

JEALOUSY vs. enterprise. 

"Is it not time we were breeding with less 
care for the strain and more for the merits of 
the animals? Are there not too many jeal- 
ousies which cause a lack of unity of action? 
Look at the energy and enterprise of our com- 
petitors in ransacking the United Kingdom for 
a 'world-beater,' and when he arrived too late 
to ship by the ordinary way, sent him from the 
seaboard to the interior — a 2,400-pound steer at 
a cost of $250, that at Kansas City the Angus 
l)reed might have a representative in Black 
Prince. See the action of the Hereford men in 
putting the knife to an agreed number of their 
choicest bull calves, and that they niiglit pre- 
pare to make common cause of the contest, con- 
tributing funds liberally to bear the Ijurden in 
common. Is it any wonder that such animals 
as these should meet and vanquish so large a 
number of Shorthorns, castrated because their 
owners could not sell them for bulls, bred with- 
out intelligence, and by accident developed into 
fair animals? How does such a line of policy 
compare with the agreement and its document 
which, I am told, was made with a prominent 
firm of Shorthorn breeders and feeders, viz. : 
To furnish them a specified number of Short- 
horns to be reared and prepared for the show 
ring and lilock, and then attempting, after ad- 
mitting the parties to be superior feeders, to 
dictate how their respective animals should be 
treated, until said feeders , refused, in disgust, 
to take the animals at all ? 

"what are you going to do about IT?" 
"I am informed that the Xational Associa- 
tion of Holstein Breeders have agreed to furnish 
and prepare a specified number of choice ani- 
mals (thoroughbreds) for competition, both in 
the rings and on the block, at the fat stock 
shows, and the claim of the breed as an especial 
beef animal is new. Similar action was also 
taken bv the Hereford Association. 



IIISTOHY OF IIEHKFOKJ) CATTLE 



35r 



"Now, in Uk' langiia",^' of Boss Tweed, 'What 
are you going to do ahout it?' Will we leave 
these important matters to ehanee in the future 
as we have in the few years just passed, or will 
we meet ijrains witii lirains, intelligence with 
intelligence, money with money, and enterprise 
with enfer])rise, in the production of superior, 
well-bred, carefully selected, and thoroughly fed 
representative types of our breed? Or shall we 
retire from the Show Ring, disgraced, shamed, 
humiliated, and hooted out, as the old-fashioned 
fogy advocates of a by-gone breed of anti(iaated 
cattle, and i)e with them laid away to mould, 
worn-out relics, outgrown specimens, to make 
room for a new order of things for the progres- 
sive American, with his progressive aninuils, en- 
larged and improved? 

"Returning to my text, I am a Shorthorn 
breeder. Despite their neglect and abuse by 
their owners and advocates, I believe their capa- 
bilities of development exceed all others, and 
that they are best suited by nature for my pur- 
pose and locality. I never expect to become a 
Shorthorn King, and to any of my Kansas 
friends entertaining such an opinion of their 
own future, I will say. whatever I can do to aid 
them to accomplish that end, I will cheerfully, 



yea, gladly, do; but as an humble breeder of 
plain Shorthorns I am interested in this issue, 
and while 1 am not able, financially, to bear the 
brunt, nor have I the feeding experience to 
qualify me to enter into this competition, yet, 
some one must enter in for us all. The burden 
sbouki be jiroportionately borne in these things 
for the common good. The gauntlet has been 
thrown down and has been taken up. The war- 
fare is waged. The combatants are falling, first 
on one side and then on the other. Victory 
wavers. The reinforcements are in view, com- 
ing up to the assistance of our opponents. Shall 
we let our representatives go down, or shall we 
reinforce them ? 

"Such a policy as outlined, pursued by the 
advocates of the different breeds, has caused 
the present state of tilings. As a consequence, 
grade Herefords and grade Polled bulls are 
readily sold to-day at from $100 to $200 per 
head ; and grade Shorthorns are slow of sale 
at $40 to $nO per head ; and thoroughbred Here- 
fords and PoHed bulls sell at auction at from 
$.1.50 to $1,400, and Shorthorns at $100 to $.500. 
Therefore it becomes a question that interests 
every breeder of Shorthorns awa}' down deep 
in the vacancy of his pockets." 




PRINCESS B. 1777. 
Bred by G. S. Burleigh, Vassalboro. Me. 



358 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



CHAPTER XXXY. 

Hereford Cattle in England in 1884, as Keported by Our Consuls 



The United States government requests in- 
formation from time to time from its consuls, 
stationed ail over the world. Tlie information 
gathered by these men is of value, as giving 
the situation at the time of which they report. 
AVe have taken some of these reports, given by 
consuls in England, in response to a call for 
information on this subject, because of their 
value and incidentally to show that facts in 
regard to the worth of Hereford cattle are easily 
accessible to the investigator. 

CATTLE BREEDS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. 

"The great importance of the information 
called for to a vast number of people and of 
interests in the United States led me to seek 
out an authority of undoubted experience and 
ability in England, to furnish the desired data 
in behalf of American agriculturists and others. 
I adopted this plan for the reason that, in order 
to make it specially useful, the report should be 
full and reliable in every respect. 

"As a matter of course I could not be able to 
equal an adept in this particular line of investi- 
gation, for the reason that the subject is one 
covering such a wide field, and one beset with so 
many difficulties, that only one having an ex- 
tensive acquaintance with English breeders and 
breeds of cattle could do the subject justice. 

"I was most fortunate in securing the services 
of Mr. James Long of Hetchin, England, a 
well-known authority on agricultural subjects, 
lioth in England and on the continent, who has 
prepared the accompanying clear, strong, and 
exhaustive report. 

"It will be found that great care and at- 
tention have been given to this report, and that 
its impartiality and fairness are beyond ques- 
tion. Where so many interested dealers in and 
breeders of cattle have to be consulted, it is im- 
portant that the facts about such breeds be 
stated bv one who is perfectly free from bias 
in anv respect. This has been done in this re- 
port, and I submit the same with full confidence 
that Mr. Long's acquaintance with our agricul- 



tural interests through this valuable mass of in- 
formation, will lead to a desire on the part of 
our agriculturists to follow up the results of his 
future investigations, as they may hereafter be 
given to the public. 

"Albert D. Shaw, Consul. 
"United States Consulate, Manchester, 
"Feb. 19, 1884." 
The annexed particulars, by Mr. Long, re- 
ferring to the only pure races of cattle known in 
the United Kingdom which are essentially Brit- 
ish, will be found in almost every case very 
complete and answer every question put in the 
circular. The exceptions are the Shetland, the 
Galloway, and the Sussex, about which it is 
most difficult to obtain technical information. 
Some twenty Sussex breeders have been ad- 
dressed, but their answers are not entirely satis- 
factory, though the information given will be 
found reliable in every way. The Shetland is 
an almost entirely unknown race, and the Gal- 
loway, to which I desired to give a fuller place, 
I hope to supplement; the editor of the Herd 
Book, who is collecting information, promising 
to send it to me shortly. In all, the fifteen 
British breeds are treated and the information 
given is based upon that furnished by nearly 
a hundred of the leading breeders in the 
country, and which has been arranged by the 
writer, who has added much which an extended 
experience has enabled him to rely upon. It 
will be noticed that almost every breeder speaks 
of his own race as the best ; this is natural en- 
thusiasm, and I have in some cases been com- 
pelled to slightly tone the rather exaggerated 
praise bestowed iipon one breed in opposition to 
another. Particulars are added with reference 
to breeding, feeding, soiling, shipment, and 
scientific dairy instruments, and centrifugal 
cream separators, which will be found very 
complete, the two last named subjects being 
especially familiar to the writer, who had "in- 
vestigated them in each European dairy 
country." Drawings of wood-cuts were an- 
nexed as well of these machines and instru- 






HISTORY OF II K U K F 1! D CATTLE 



359 



lUL'iits and of the cliiel' races of cattle. The refer- 
ences to the Herefords are as follows : 

HISTORY OF THE HEREFORDS. 

"There can be no two opinionson the question 
of wliat Hereford cattle are; they are undoubt- 
edly ;i distinct and pure breed of great 
antiquity. Their early history is like that of 
many others, rather shrouded in mystery, but it 
is generally allowed that there has been a breed 
of cattle, red and mostly with white face and 
markings, for at least two hundred years in the 
County of Hereford, and the neighboring 
counties. When crossed with other breeds the 
potency of the Hereford blood (pure for 
centuries) is distinctly proved, as it is an ex- 
ception for any calves to come any other color 
than the red with, white faces. This has come 
from Hereford Indls on Black Welsh cattle, 
Ayrshire and Shorthorns; again, if a Shorthorn 
bull is put to a Hereford cow, the produce fol- 
lows the dam in color, and cases have been seen, 
where the produce of the Hereford bull with the 
black cattle come lilack. but still they have had 
the cnrrcct Hor(>ford Inarking as regards the 
white fail' and li'^s. 

VAUAIiLE Qr.VI.TTirs OF THE HEREFORDS. 

"Their milking properties have been so long 
neglected in the interest of beef, that they 
are usually not deep milkers, but give very 
rich milk. In ail cases a cow snould be 
milked regularly and stripped quite clean. 
No doubt this has much to do in forming good 
milking tribes of cattle, by encouraging tlie 
milk-giving organs as far as possible. Where 
calves are allowed to suck in the open field this 
cannot Ije attained, and is one great cause of 
the Herefords not giving so much milk as they 
would under other circumstances. As beef 
makers they are quite at the top of the market, 
as market quotations record best Scot and Here- 
fords as being usually quoted together. The 
calves are usually allowed to run with their 
dams during the summer, and this gives them 
a good start, but it is too often lost sight of that 
they should be kept growing on, when weaned, 
instead of stunted during the winter and follow- 
ing months. 

"The Hereford fairs have long been noted 
^^T bringing together the best collection of bul- 
-cks in England, and are attended by dealers 
and graziers from far and wide, as they are 
highly valued in our great grazing districts. 
Breeders of Herefords claim for their favorites 
that they are among the most hardy of all 
breeds of cattle, can be fed on less feed, and 
thrive on coarse, rough food, and thus are 



pailieularly adapted for countries where it is 
impossible to take special care of the cattle 
through !jad seasons and winter months. 

"Herefords, except in a few instances, have 
been bred entirely for beef. One great object 
lor breeders is to have their animals as wide on 
their chine as possible, so as tc carry good, full 
crops when fat, and no cow will milk deeply un- 
less it is made like a wedge — the lighter the 
neck and forepart, the better. If attention were 
paid to the Hereford as it has been to tlie Short- 
horn, they could be trained to milk well and 
deeply, and the richness of the milk is not gain- 
said; but whether they would excel the Short- 
horns or become equal to the best of them it is 




KIRKLAXD H. ARMOUR, 

Kansas City, Mo. President American Hereford Cattle 

Breeders' Association. 1S97-1898. 

difficult to say, nor do I think it worth while 
for Ijreeders to try. At all events so thinks an- 
other Hereford man. They stand first and fore- 
most as a beef-producing race, and perhaps it 
is as well they should for the present take their 
stand on that; but if any breeders fancy taking 
up the milk line, they will proliably in a great 
measure succeed. 

HEREFORD.S FOR CROSSIXG. 

"A celebrated breeder of Herefords in Eng- 
land recently addressed the following queries to 
a gentleman who had tried the cross of a Here- 
ford bull on Shorthorn dairy cows for several 
years : 



360 



HISTORY OP HEEEFOED CATTLE 



"Question 1. Of calves got by a Shorthorn 
bull or by a Hereford bull, which fatten the 
quickest and which are the most valuable if sold 
fat to butcher? 

"Answer. I consider those got by a Hereford 
bull. 

"Question 2. Of heifers got by a Shorthorn 
or Hereford bull, which do you consider the best 
for milk, having regard both to quantity and 
quality both as regards cheese and butter? 




HERO CB964) 4352. 
Bred by J. Price, Pembridge, Eng. 



"Answer. Heifers got by a Hereford bull 
are, I consider, equal to the jjure bred Short- 
horn for the production of milk, both as regards 
quantity and quality. 

"Question 3. As to produce got by a Short- 
horn or Hereford bull, do you find any differ- 
ence as to their gain of flesh or ability to thrive 
both at grass and in yards? And if so, state 
fully your views thereon. 

"Answer. My experience tells me that prod- 
uce got by a Hereford bull out of a Shorthorn 
cow feeds quicker both on grass and when put 
up to feed. 

"Question 4. Do you find any difference of 
size in the produce; and, if so, which are the 
largest animals — the Shorthorns or those the re- 
sult of the cross with the Hereford bulls? 

"Answer. Produce obtained by the cross, as 
mentioned in No. 3 (viz., by a Hereford bull) 
is the larger of the two. 

"Question 5. Do you think there is any dif- 
ference as to hardiness, or as to liability to dis- 
ease between the Shorthorns and the animals 
resulting from the cross with the Hereford bull ; 
and if so, to which do you give the preference? 

"Answer. TTndoubtedly the produce obtained 
by using the Hereford bull is the hardier and 
has my preference. 

"Question R. Does the offspring of the 
cross with a Hereford bull generally follow the 



marking of the sire or of the Shorthorn dam? 

"Answer. I find that the offspring obtained 
by the cross with the Hereford bull follows the 
sire in color in five cases out of seven. 

"Besides which answers the gentleman added 
as follows: 

" 'Having some three years ago bought some 
Hereford cattle from you, I think you might 
like to know that they have done remarkably 
well, though 1 find it takes a long time to make 
a name as a Hereford breeder. At the same 
time I bought the Herefords from you, I pur- 
cliased ten Yorkshire dairy cows — Shorthorns — 
from Mr. Gothorp, near Bedale, Yorkshire, and 
after these cows had calved I determined to try 
a cross of the two breeds, which I did by using 
the Hereford bull I bought of you on the Short- 
horn cows. The result was beyond my expecta- 
tion. I reared the calves on skim-milk, etc. ; 
they had a little cake till they were six months 
nld, when they took their luck. At eighteen 
months old I gave them four pounds each per 
day when grazing (this would be in Septem- 
ber). On the 12th October I put them up to 
feed, giving them eight pounds of cotton cake 
and linseed cake mixed, and six pounds of meal 
with pulp each per day. The week before 
Christmas I sold two of them, averaging £21 
10s ($107) each, and also some Shorthorn bul- 
locks, which I had also bought from Mr. 
Gothorp. These latter were three months older, 
and only realized £19 15s (or $99) per head, 
though similarly fed. In the second week of 
January, I sold some more of the cross-bred 
bullocks (they were then twenty-three months 
old) and they averaged £21: 5s 6d (or $131) per 
head and the remaining Shorthorn bullocks 
averaged £22 17s (or $114) per head, being, 
as the others, three months older. I certainly 
am of opinion tliat the bullock obtained by this 
cross is better than the pure-bred Shorthorn for 
the quick production of beef. I have also some 
heifers of this cross about to calve, and they 
carry plenty of flesh, and promise to make 
equally as good milkers as their dams. I con- 
sider the result of the cross satisfactory, es- 
pecially on this poor, cold clay soil, the grass of 
which (as you know) will not feed a mouse.'" 

"As to their milking qualities, says a tenant 
farmer, 'no doubt breeders have neglected them 
almost entirely, as it is the usual custom to rear 
the calves on the cows, and beef, not dairy prod- 
uce, is, as a rule, the end aimed at.' This is, 
however, true in a great degree of other breeds 
when the best tribes are kept for breeding pur- 
poses, and it is a question whether a Hereford 
does not give as much nrilk, and perhaps even 
of a richer qualitj^ than the crack tribes of 



HISTORY OF HEliEFORD CATTLE 



361 



other broods, except tliose bred especially for 
milking purposes. There are few Hereford 
dairies kept, but from my own experience, I 
believe, by selection, that a grand milking herd 
could soon be established. No one will, who has 
tried the experiment, agree to the statements 
that the Herofords do not cross well with other 
breeds. The Americans have found it out, and 
now assert that they can sell their Hereford 
grade steers for more money than those of other 
crosses. It may be true that they have not been 
very extensively tried, but the experiments that 
have been tried will soon 'get wind' ; in fact, 
fhey have already, and the demand is entirely 
increasing in consequence. 

"One great proof of the Hereford being a 
pure and distinct race, is that although crossed 
with whatever lireed may be desired, the true 
Hereford marking is sure to show itself, and if 
an animal has only a quarter strain of blood, 
the Hereford marking is still there. The great 
ol)ject in America now is to improve the cattle 
as beef producers, and to put the good roasting 
pieces on the narrow-chined, bad-backed cattle 
of the plains; this they believe, and rightly, too, 
that the cross with the Hereford will do. An- 
other great point in favor of the cross is the 
power of the Hereford to endure knocking about 
and rough usage better than more delicate cat- 
tle, and this is of the very greatest importance 
when considering the vast distance the cattle 
have to travel through America, and by sea, be- 
fore they reach this country as beef. A recent 
purchaser of a large herd of Herefords in this 
country writes that they had a very rough pas- 
sage out, and the hatches had to be all battened 
down, but had no losses, and all arrived in cap- 
ital condition, none the worse for their knock- 
ing about. He could only account for this from 
the fact that this breed of cattle could stand 
such usage better than others, or he should have 
had serious loss. As to their not feeding so well 
in stalls or attaining such great weights there is 
proof from many trials, and from Smithfield 
statistics, that they are little behind, if not equal 
to any other known breed of cattle. 

"Says another authority : 

"'The Shorthorn has no quality superior to 
that which the Hereford possesses ; if it has let 
it be fairly shown. Take each point in order. 
Both breeds have been well tried, both as 
grazers and feeders. It is acknowledged that 
the Hereford is the best grazer, and it is as- 
serted in this country and America that four 
Herefords can be fed on the same feed as three 
Shorthorns. There is evidence to .show that the 
milking quality of the Hereford is as good as the 
high-class Shorthorn, and their milk is much 



richer. The London market bears testimony to 
the superiority of the Hereford meat by always 
quoting it in advance of the Shorthorn. Thair 
early maturity and weight and age has been 
tested again and again, and there is little dif- 
ference in either breed. The merit of the Here- 
ford for crossing purposes has been disputed, 
and now it is an indisputable fact that they are 
fast gaining ground in the good opinion of 
graziers. A great many bulls are now sold to 
dairy farmers to cross with their Shorthorn 
cows, as they say they can get their calves ready 
so much more quickly for the butcher, and if 
kept on for bullocks they beat the ordinary run 
of Shorthorns in aptitude to fatten and in 
quality. To mention a few instances: Eight 
Hereford grade steers were put up to feed, and 
sixty Shorthorn grades were picked out of a six 
hundred lot, and then the best of the eight and 
the best of the sixty were killed as a beef test. 
A large cattle breeder used nothing but Short- 
horn bulls to three hundred cows, and could 
only make some £3 to £4 ($15 or $30) of his 
grade yearling bulls. The same man now by 
using Hereford bulls to the same cows, has sold 
his yearling bulls at £15 ($75) each. Again, 
another farmer who used to make £6 ($30). 
each of his grade Shorthorn heifers, makes £16 




ANXIETY 3D (ALIAS SIR GARNET) (6181) 4466. 
Bred by T. J. Carwardine. 

($80) each of his grade Herefords at the same 
age. The fact that these men are no breeding 
enthusiasts, but practical American beef-pro- 
ducing farmers, goes a long way to show the 
turn things are taking in that country. 

WEIGHT AND VALUE OF HEEEFORD CATTLE. 

"'At the last Smithfield show, Hereford 
steers in the class under two years weighed : first 
prize, 135 cwt. [or in American weight 1,540 
lbs., Eng. cwt. being 112 lbs.— T. L. M.] at 
twenty-two months; second prize, 14 cwt. 



363 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



(1,568 lbs.) twenty-three and one-half months; 
and third prize nearly as high. The weiglits 
were toleraljly even in all classes. In steers un- 
der three, first prize was 1? cwt. (1,904 lbs.) 
at two years seven and one-half months old ; 
second prize, 16{ cwt. (1,820 lljs.) at two years 
and eight months. In the class under four, 
first prize weighed 17f cwt. (1,988 lbs.) at 
three years eight months; second prize. 18^ 
cwt. (2,073 lbs.) at three years four months. 
In heifers, first prize weighed 14^ cwt. (1,652 
lbs.) at three and one-half years; second prize 



^'tQi 


■ife^ 




I 






n 


869 ^•' ROYAL I6'.«. -*i^ 
^^ eH.B, 6655. 





KUVAL IGTH (lifiju) (Ho9. 
Bred by J. B. & G. H. Green. 

weighed 17 cwt. (1,904 lbs.) at three years two 
months. The winning cow was 20| cwt. 
(2,324 lbs.) at eleven and one- third years. 

■' 'No particulars of value can be obtained as 
to the performances of pure Hereford in milk, 
butter or cheese. It is not used for draft of any 
kind, and it is chiefly bred in the west of Eng- 
land, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire, al- 
though many successful breeders are scattered 
throughout the country upon all soils. Here- 
fords are driven to all the great midland fairs 
for farmers, who purchase them largely for fat- 
tening. The chief grasses grown are clovers, 
vetches and the best perennials. That the Here- 
fords will do well on heavy as well as light land 
is now admitted. We can point to cases within 
our own knowledge, where at the Christmas 
markets Herefords brought in to fatten, have 
beaten everything else in realizing top prices, 
although in a county where they are compara- 
tively little known.' 

MILKING QUALITIES OF THE HEUEFOHDS. 

"The milking qualities of the Herefords 
have no doubt been seriously neglected in 
the past, and are similarly treated by breeders 
generally at present; 1uit there is no reason for 
doubting that as milkers the existing herds 
show a very considerable improvement. As a 
rule the Hereford mws. when contrasted with 



extremely large bulls and oxen, are somewhat 
small, but of course in no way small as we 
apply this term to Kerries, Ayrshires, or Chan- 
nel Islands cattle. The cause of the undevelop- 
ment of good milking qualities in all Hereford 
herds is not far to seek. The soil of the locality 
which saw the breed originate, is admittedly not 
suited to dairy cattle, consequently there is not 
that attention given to the improvement of the 
herds as milkers as would be the case were they 
in a district better suited to further their dairy 
properties. In its original habitat the custom 
which prevails is to regard the steers as the 
source of pecuniary profit, and whereas in most 
other parts it is the general practice to give the 
females the preference in rearing, it is much 
more usual for both male and female Hereford 
calves to be similarly treated, the preference be- 
ing given to the males. This practice largely 
iibtaining, is obviously calculated to prove detri- 
mental to milking properties. The outcome of 
all this is that, as a rule, the Hereford is want- 
ing in dairy qualifications. But, on the other 
liand, the exception . does not strengthen the 
rule, even if it proves it, for where pure-bred 
Hereford stock is kept purposely for dairy re- 
(|uirements, where the good milkers are kept, 
and tlie bad and indifferent are weeded out. it 
is soon very obvious to the most prejudiced that 
liio-h milking qualities are resident in the Here- 
ford." 

HEREFORDSHIRE AXD HEREFORD 
CATTLE. 



HEPORT PREPARED FOR CONSUL DOCKERY, OF 

LEEDS, BY MR. JOHN KERSLEY FOWLER, 

PREBENDAL FARM, AYLESBURY, JUDGE 

AT PARIS EXPOSITION, 1878. 

DKscinn'iox of Herefordshire. 

"In writing an account of this very valuable 
and lieautiful trilie of cattle it is necessary to 
give a description of the county which gives its 
name to the breed and also of the soil and 
climate, as well as the general characteristics of 
the district, as this particular breed of cattle is 
especially adajited to certain localities in Eng- 
land, and althougli I will not venture to affirm 
that they will not thrive under other climatic 
and geological circumstances than their own 
county, from my own personal experience, T 
find that they are more adapted for those dis- 
tricts which partake more or less of the char- 
acter of Herefordshire. 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



363 



"This county is situated in the west midland 
district of England, adjoining the Welsh 
counties, and is bounded on the north liy Shrop- 
shire, on the east by Worcestershire and 
Gloucestershire, on the south by Monmouth- 
shire, and on the west by Radnorshire and Bre- 
conshire. It will, therefore, be seen that it has no 
sea coast, but the river Wye running through 
the county gives it communication with the sea, 
through the Bristol Channel. It is well sup- 
])lied with railway communication, the ^Midland 
giving it a direct route to the north, and the 
Great Western to the south and west, and also 
to the metropolis. The city of Hereford itself 
is, also, connected with the Northwestern line, 
via Malvern and Worcester, thus giving the 
county every means of supplying the various 
grazing districts of England with numbers of 
excellent store cattle, as also for the dispatch of 
fat animals to the markets of the great me- 
tropolis and the teeming populations of the 
many thriving towns in the North. 

'•The soil of the county is varied, the larger 
portion is a red clay, as also strong loam. 
Around the town of Ross, where some of the 
choicest specimens of the breed are found, the 
soil is a loamy gravel or light loam. The old 
red sandstone forms also a considerable portion 
of the county, and some of the hills are lime- 
stone. The valleys are particularly adapted for 
the feeding of cattle, as they are moist and rich, 
and the soil is of a mixed character, from the 
continuous washing away of the hills, and the 
de!)ris finding its way to the lower grounds and 
forming a rich alluvial deposit well suited for 
the production of the finest grasses. The hill- 
sides and higher portions of the county arc 
eminently suited for the breeding and rearing ol 
cattle, and the comparative mildness of the 
climate is favorable for the health and early 
development of the calves. 

"The acreage of the county is 533,890 acres, 
divided into or about the following proportions : 
"Orchards, 27,000; woodlands, 37,000; and 
the remainder for agricultural operations. Ac- 
cording to the last Government returns then' 
were under — 

Acres. 

Corn crops !).'), 2!tO 

Green crops 32..S13 

Clover and rotations grasses. 34,108 

Permanent pasture 2(>.5,()()1 

Bare fallow 11,247 

Hops fi.41fi 

"It will therefore be seen that the permanent 
pasture far exceeds all the other portions of the 
land put together. The population in 1881 was 



118,147. Very few of the people are employed 
in manufacture, but many find employment in 
the autumn in hop and fruit gathering. 

THE GREAT CATTLE FAIR IN HEREFORD. 

"The city of Hereford is situated somewhere 
near the center of the county, and is in latitude 
52° 4' north and longitude 2° 54' west. The 
climate is on the whole temperate. The city is 
small and has been the seat of a bishopric from 
the earliest times, for more than twelve hundred 
years. The cathedral is very beautiful, but does 
not rank among the largest of the English 
fanes. It has portions of Norman work in it, 
and since its restoration has been made one of 
the handsomest interiors in the Kingdom. The 
city proper is rather poor, but some of the 
streets and the market place are large and spa- 
cious, and at fair time their appearance is very 
wonderful. Every portion of the streets, even 
up to the cathedral yard itself, is crow'ded with 
the 'white-faced beauties' of the county; while 
Shropshire, Monmouthshire, Breconshire, and 
even Gloucestershire send their contingents. It 
is indeed a remarkable sight, being difl'erent 
to anything of its class in England, as the thou- 
sands of cattle brought together are all of one 
type, deep brownish reds with white faces, and 
some other portions of the body and tips of tail 
white. There is no interspersing of Shorthorns 
or other breeds ; an occasional Devon is seen, but 
that seems to be an accident, and the shouting of 









"S**^ 



PRI.N'CE EDWARD (fitUG) 7001. 
Bred by T. J. Carwardine. 

drovers, the bellowing of the cattle, and the gen- 
eral hum of conversation whilst the deals are 
made, form a singular and very amusing sight. 
The great fair takes place in the third week in 
October, and as many as from 8.000 to 9,000 
head of cattle have been brought for sale during 
that time. Some years ago, dealers like Car- 
wardine, Pardington, Jones, Knight, and Price 



36i 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



were accustomed to bring some hundreds, and 
generally sold them to the graziers of the mid- 
lands or to other dealers who brought them up 
to the great markets at Banbury, Aylesbury, 
and Northampton, where there was always a 
ready sale. The trade now seems quite changed, 
and but few good animals ever reach the mid- 
land markets, as the graziers themselves go 
down by rail in a few hours and buy largely of 
the breeders or dealers, who get together on 
their own premises lots of from 30 to 100 for 
their selection, and it is only rarely that men 
can be suited at the old markets. 

HISTORY OF THE HEREFORD BREED. 

"I am greatly indebted to the writings of the 
late Mr. Dixon, a well-known agricultural 
writer, for much of the information contained 




DOWNTON ROSE (V. 10, p. 172) 4486. 
Bred by T. Fenn, Downton Castle, Eng. 

in this paper, as well as to my good friend Mr. 
Duckham, member of Parliament for Hereford- 
shire, who was the editor of the Hereford Herd 
Book, and who has done as much, or perhaps 
more than any other man, to bring this noble 
race of cattle prominently before the public at 
the present time, who has given me so much 
valuable information, and I cannot do wrong in 
quoting from these most reliable authorities for 
many statements which I shall make in this 
paper. I will also give you my own personal 
experience as a grazier, and judge at the Royal 
and other agricultural shows, where I had 
many opportunities of getting well acquainted 
with this breed. 

"Old Fuller, who was a quaint writer of more 
than two hundred years ago, says of Hereford- 
shire, 'that it doth share as deep as any county 
in the' alphabet of our English commodities, 
though exceeding in 'W for wood, wheat, 
wool, and water,' and, that 'its wheat was 
worthy to jostle in pureness with that of Heston, 
in "Middlesex, which furnished manchets for the 
kings of England, and its Wye salmon were in 
season all the year long.' And before his day 
'painful Master Camden' described the county 
as 'not willingly content to be accounted second- 



shire for matters of fruitfulness.' Yet both 
writers are silent as to cattle, and Drayton sang 
of 'Fair Suffolk's maids and milk,' of the hogs 
of Hampshire, and the calves of Essex, and how ' 

Rich Buckingham doth bear 

The name of 'bread and beef;' i 

yet he says nothing of these attributes of Here- 
fordshire. 

"Many writers were of opinion that the Here- 
fords were descended from cattle from Devon 
and Normandy, which were of a deep reddish 
brown color, and that the white faces were an 
accident from a singular sport of the breeding 
of a wliit'-faced bull by a noted breeder of the 
last century, Mr. Tully, of Huntington, near 
Hereford. The story I have heard related as 
follows : That the cow-man came to him, on his 
coming out of church one Sunday, and told him 
that his favorite cow, who was daily expecting 
to calve, had produced a bull calf with a white 
face, and this had never been known before. 
Report says the master ordered it at once to be 
killed, as he dared not let it be known that he 
had such a stain of blood in his well-known 
herd ; but the man begged him to go and see it, 
as it was the finest calf he had ever seen. Mr. 
Tully wlien he had seen it, agreed with his man 
that it was a wonder, and that he would, out of 
curiosity, rear it. He did so, and he proved to 
be a very remarkably fine animal, and he used 
him on all his best cows, and his progeny be- 
came celebrated for their white faces. 

"Many old chroniclers say that the county was 
noted for its breed of white cattle on the banks 
of the Wye as far back as the tenth century, but 
they had red ears, and it is recorded that Lord 
Scudamore in, or about the year 1G60, intro- 
duced some red cows, with white faces, from 
Flanders, and this may have been the reason 
that the noted Tully bull, after a lapse of more 
than a hundred years, might have cropped up, 
as a sport, from the well-known deep red cattle 
of the country. 

"It must not be considered that the white 
face is the only type of the purity of this lireed, 
as the mottled face is considered by many lireed- 
ers as of greater value than the pure white, and 
I can myself testify that some of the finest cat- 
tle I ever grazed, and some of the best I ever 
saw, have been mottled faced, in fact those of 
the last named type have shown the greatest 
aptitude to fatten, on the grass, of any, and 
manv graziers have told me the same. 

"Mr. Evton, of Evton Hall. Salop, was the 
founder of the Hereford Herd Book in 1845, 
and when he commenced it. he found it neces- 
sary to divide the Herefords into four distinct 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



36i 



classL'S, viz., llu' mottle fiiced, the dark grey, tlie 
lifijht grey or white, and tiie red with white I'aee, 
yet, after the hipso of only thirty-eigiit years, 
people ()uestion tiie purity of the breed, if they 
have not the charaeteristies of the well-known 
white I'aee and markings. 

"llr. Duekhain says, 'the present uiiiforiiiity 
of the eolor is due to the influenee of tlie l)ull,' 
and this is a remarkable corroboration of my 
views, expressed in a paper on "Breeding, facts 
and prineij)les,' which I read at a meeting of the 
Central Farmers' (Mub, some few years since, 
when 1 ])ropounded the dictum (which, by-the- 
bye, was not new), "that the male exercised the 
external characteristics, and the internal organ- 
ization followed the female,' in nearly every 
class of animal. 

"Long before the commencement of the Herd 
Book, the Herefords had made 'a reputation 
and a name,' by being continually successful at 
the Smithfiehl Club annual fat stock show, 
from its establishment in 1TS>9, by Mr. West- 
car, of Creslow, near Aylesbury, Bucks, and 
who for twenty years in succession won the 
premium prize with Hereford oxen, against 
all kinds of cattle. I had not an opportunity 
of knowing Mr. Westcar, as he died before my 
day, but 1 had been for many years on intimate 
terms with his relative and successor, Mr. R. 
Rowland, who gave me many interesting stories 
of ^[r. Westcar, who was, undoubtedly, the first 
2nan to bring the Herefords to the front against 
all the world. I remember Mr. Rowland telling 
me, whilst standing in the midst of the far- 
famed Creslow Great Ground, and on a spot 
marked by a clump of trees, where Mr. West- 
car's lifeless body was found, he having fallen 
dead from his horse, how the Duke of Bedford, 
in the latter part of the last century, was down 
with ^[r. Westcar to Hereford in his carriage 
and four post-horses, taking two days for the 
journey, and stopping one night on the road nt 
the well-known country inn, the Staple Hall, a( 
Witney, and accompaiiied by Lord Berners, in 
another carriage and four, with some ladies and 
other members of their families, to attend the 
great fair at Hereford, and where the Duke de- 
sired Mr. Westcar to order dinner for a hun- 
dred persons at the principal hotel, and to in- 
vite all the more celebrated breeders and dealers 
to meet him. He described the annoyance of 
some of the dealers at the noblemen being 
brought down to see these grand bullocks, which 
they had only seen in the Creslow pastures, as it 
had the effect of raising the price of the cattle 
in the fair at least £1 ($5) per head. After 
dinner his grace and Lord Berners announced 
their desire, to have from ten to twenty of the 



best COWS that could be found, and two bulls, to 
bring into Bedfordshire, tliere to establish a 
iK'rd on their estates. Lord Berners, who was 
a breeder of Longhorns, gave up the breed and 
took to Herefords. This visit of the Duke of 
Bedford, with the continued success of the 
breed in the show yard at Smithfield, by Mr. 
^\'estcar, brought them prominently into notice, 
and fairly established their merits. 

"Sir Brandreth Gibbs, the honorary secretary 
of the Smithfield Club, in his history of the 
club, states that at their first show Mr. West- 
car's prize ox measured 8 feet 11 inches long, 
(i feet "! inches high. 111 feet -4 inches girth, and 
that he was sold for 100 guineas. This animal 
was bred by Mr. TuUy, of Huntington, and 
weighed 2-1:7 stone (1,970 lbs.) dead weight, 8 
pounds to the stone [making, according to the 
English rule, the live weight 3,458 lbs.— T. L. 
M.] Enormous as the dimensions of this ox 
were, they were far exceeded by another Here- 
ford, fed by Mr. Grace, of Putlowes, near Ayles- 
bury, which was 7 feet high, 12 feet 4 inches 
girth and weighed 260 stone (2,080 lbs.), dead 
weight (or 3,640 lbs. live weight). Mr. Duck- 
ham mentions that about the vears 1812 or 
1813, Mr. Potter sold for Mr. Westcar at the 
Metropolitan Christmas market, fifty Hereford 
oxen that averaged 50 guineas ($250) each, 
making 2,500 guineas ($12,500) ; and he men- 
tions that Mr. Smythies, of Marlow, Salop, ob- 




PEERESS (V. 12. p. 1521 101)02. 
Bred by T. J. Carwardine. 



tained the following extract from Mr. Westcar's 
book for the sale of twenty Hereford oxen at 
different periods from 1799 to 1811, and which 
I can corroborate, as the same was shown me by 
Mr. Rowdand, when visiting him at Creslow. 
The list was confined to those which sold for 
£100 ($500) and upwards: 



366 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Date. Oxen Sold. Value. 

Dec. 16. 1799, 2 oxen to Mr. Chapman f200:^$1000 

Dec. 4, 1800, 1 ox to Mr. Chapman 147= 735 

Dec. 13. 1800, 1 ox to Mr. Harrington 100= 500 

Nov. 26, ISOl, 6 oxen to Messrs. Giblett & Co.... 630= 3150 

Nov. 26, 1802, 1 ox to Messrs. Giblett & Co 100= 500 

Nov. 31, 1802, 1 ox to Mr. Chapman 126= 630 

Dec. 4, 1802. 2 oxen to Mr. Horwood 200= 1000 

Dec. 4, 1802, 1 ox to Mr. Chapman 100= 500 

Dec. 19, 1803, 1 ox to Mr. Reynolds 105= 525 

Dec. 19, 1803, 1 ox to .Mr. Giblett 105= 525 

Dec. 5, 1804. 1 ox to Mr. Giblett 105= 525 

Dec. 4, 1805, 1 ox to Mr. Giblett 100= 500 

Nov. 26, 1811, 1 ox to Mr. Chandler 105= 525 

"The whole 20 sold for £'i,123 ($10,615) or 
an average of £100 Gs ($501.50) each. I have 
also seen at Mr. Ledbrook's, who succeeded Mr. 
Grace at Putlowe's a few years since, when the 




VENUS (V. 12, p. 152) 10133. 
Bred by T. J. Carwardine. 

price of meat was lower than in the beginning 
of the century, 50 oxen tied up for Christmas 
at the end of November, for which he had bid 
£2,500 ($12,500) ; the price was rather under 
5s ($1.25) per stone (or about 9 cents per 
pound live weight), but this would have made 
them average over 200 stone (2,800 pounds 
each, alive) per head. The class of animal I 
have been describing is now no more. They 
were five-year-old worked beasts, and even older 
which had been for two or three years harnessed 
in the yoke, and had therefore attained great 
size. Working in the plow is now comparatively 
rare, and early maturity is the aim of all the 
best farmers in England, and the Hereford 
breeders are not likely to be left behind. It is 
a rare thing now-a-days to purchase a Hereford 
steer at a fair over three years old. When I 
began farming, thirty years ago, I bought a lot 
of beautiful three-vear-old Hereford steers in 
October at £13 10s ($67) each, in poor con- 
dition. I gave them the run of the straw yard, 
and three pounds of oil cake per dav, and 
turned them out to grass in May, and sold them 
in August and September at from £23 to £24 
($115 to $120) each, giving me some excellent 
manure and a good profit on the animals. The 
price of this class of beast rapidly rose, and now 



they can scarcely be bought under £21 to £22 
($105 to $110) each, and as they only make 
about £26 to £27 ($130 to $135) each when olf 
the grass they do not pay enough. 1 once went 
to a Hereford fair at Easter and bought 10 of 
the finest old worked beasts I ever saw at £29 
10s ($147) each. They were large fine framed 
animals, and when they arrived at Aylesbury, 
Baron Mayer de Rothschild saw them and beg- 
ged I would let him have them, and I consented 
on condition that he gave me a round of one of 
them for my Christmas dinner the same year. 
He took them to Montmore, and some made £46 
to £47 ($230 to $235) each at Christmas and 
others went off the grass in October at £38 to 
£40 ($190 to $200) each, but such aged beasts 
are not found now. Amongst the most noted 
graziers of these cattle was the late Mr. Senior, 
of Broughton pastures, near Aylesbury. This 
gentleman was a very successful exhibitor of 
Hcrefords after Mr. Westcar's death, but of late 
years he grazed Sussex beasts, as hf could not 
get the worked animals from Herefordshire. 
Mr. Duckham and other writers on Hereford- 
shire cattle say that the county is not by any 
means a good grazing district, but eminently 
adapted for breeding and rearing cattle, and 
that no class of animal thrives so well, when 
changed onto the fine pastures of Buckingham- 
shire, Leicestershire, and Northamptonshire. 

"As Mr. Westcar's name and his residence at 
Creslow has been so often quoted by all writers 
upon the Hcrefords, I must be pardoned for 
giving a slight sketch of this famous grazing 
district. 'The great ground,' as it is called at 
Creslow, is, as before stated, about 330 acres 
and is very undulating, and bounded on two 
sides by a brook, a tributary of the Thames, and 
on the other two sides by a large double ox 
fence, with large elm trees affording shade to 
the numerous head of cattle grazing there. I 
have seen nearly 250 head of horned stock anVl 
500 sheep and lambs, with 20 mares and foals, 
grazing in this one field, and all getting fat. 
It is jocosely said that the cattle are turned into 
the field in May and by the time they have 
walked around the inclosure they come out fit 
for the butcher. The old mansion has formerly 
been a monastery, and the estate belongs to the 
Lord de Clifford, in whose family it has been 
for some centuries, and it is stated that Rosa- 
mond de Clifford, 'Fair Rosamond,' was born 
there. Nothing can exceed the rich pastoral 
beauty of this district. From the upper ground 
the eye wanders over the far-famed vale of 
Avlesbury, the old town, the 'Aegelsbireg' of 
the Saxons, standing in the midst of the rich 
pastures of Wliitechurch ; Quarrenden with its 



II 1 S T (J H Y O i-" H !•; U K F U K D C A T T L E 



ruined lIuiik'I oi the Jirtoeiilh cenlur}-; and 
Flt'c't ilarsion, iu which jjarish is Putlowus, 
I'oriiiL'rly iiH'iitiont'd as tlic rival oi' L'rcslovv as a 
I't't'diiig pasture, and a rare tract of grass laud 
stretclung away lor more than 15 miles along 
the valley of the Thames. 

"Sir Uraiidreth Ciihhs, in his History of the 
Sniithheld L'lub, mentions an incident of some 
interest in 18"-i5. Tliere was a sweepstakes be- 
tween three llerel'ords belonging to the Duke 
of Bedford and three Durhams belonging to 
the rigiit honorable Charles Arbuthuot, which 
was won by the Herel'ords. 

'"Mr. Duckliani says that from the establish- 
ment of the Smithfiekl Club in 179'.) to 1851 all 
the different hreeds and cross breeds were shown 
together, but since that time they have been 
exhibited in distinct classes, and, as far as can 
be learned, during the time they were sliown to- 
gether, the Hereford oxen and steers won 185 
prizes; the Shorthorns 82; the Devons 44; the 
Scotch 43, the Sussex 9 ; the Longhorns 4, and 
the cross breeds 8 ; thus showing that the whole 
of the. prizes won by all the other breeds and 
crosses in the Kingclom were 190, or only 5 in 
excess of the number registered by the Here- 
fords alone. 

"Mr. Discau says that during fifty-three 
3-ears to 1851 the Shorthorns by their females 
made up consideraldy to the total of the Here- 
fords, as thev numbered 174 prizes to the Here- 
fords 207. 

"It is interesting to know how the Herefords 
hare retained their former renown, by their 
comparatively youthful prowess at the present 
day. We find that Mr. Heath showed his grey 
beast at Birmingham, winning first honors, with 
a girtli of 9 feet 7 inches; and his Hereford 
cow at three years and ten months measured 9 
feet in girth. Mr. Shirley's gold medal steer 
at two years and seven months girthed 8 feet 
7 inches. And he averred that up to seventeen 
n^ontlis old he had had onlv an ordinary calf 
•ind stock treatment. It will therefore be seen 
that the breed is not only not deteriorating but 
is likely to maintain its position against all 
competitors. 

THE TIKREFOIiPS AR nVTRY TATTLK. 

"Having said so much of the feeding qualities 
of these animals, I must now allude to their 
milking qualities. Generally thev are not con- 
sidered such good 'fill-pails' as their rivals the 
Shorthorns or Ayrshires. nor such butter pro- 
ducers as the Channel Islands breeds, yet their 
butter making qualities are of a high order. I 
Ouoto from Mr. Duckham. who says ^Tr. Head 
of Elkstone finds the Herefords retain their 



general aptitude to fatten, and that iu tlie teaoi 
they are excellent, and that they have been uscu 
for dairy purposes for nearly fifty years on tjic 
farm, and that he raises his calves by hand after 
a few days old. 

"Mr. James, of Mappowder, Court Bland- 
f(jrd, Dorset, says that Hereford dairies are be- 
coming very common in that county ; that tUey 
let nearly 100 cows to dairy people, and that if 
he buys one of any other breed to fill up the 
number they always grumble. His system is to 
let the cows at so much per year, finding them 
in land and making the hay; the calves being 
reared ijy hand with skim milk and linseed 
until three months old, and they are then 
turned out to pasture. 

"Mr. Oliver, of Penhallow, Cornwall, says: 
'I rear my calves on skim milk. It is generally 
said Hereford cows are i)ad milkers. That is 
contrary to my experience. My cow Patience, 
bred by Mr. Cooke, of Moreton House, had 
given 14 pounds of butter in a w^eek, and Blos- 
som, bred by Mr. Longmere, Buckton, Salop, 
gave 22 quarts of milk yielding 2| pounds of 
butter per day.' 

"From Ireland and Scotland, reports show 
that excellent results have been attained. It is 
fair to say that my own experience is contrary 
to the opinion that they are better for the dairy 
than Shorthorns, as when I was judge of cattle 
at Hereford some few years since, there was a 
milking competition, and we had all the com- 
petitors in the class very carefully milked, and 




VICTORIA 1053 AT 9 YEARS. 
Bred by T. L. MiUer. 

both the first prizes were obtained by Short- 
horns of high-class pedigree, beating all com- 
petitors, even including Ayrshires and Jerseys. 

THE HEREFORD IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 

"The Herefords have proved themselves well 
adapted for foreign and colonial countries. Mr. 
F. W. Stone, of Guelph, Ontario, says: 

" 'I am an extensive breeder of Shorthorns, 



368 



HISTORY OF HEREEORD CATTLE 



which breed I think very highly of; but I have 
also purchased some Herefords from Lord 
Batoman's and Lord Berwick's herds and am 
highly pleased with them. The climate is very 
variable, varying in twenty-four hours from 30 
to -to degrees, but the Herefords stand the 
changes equal to any breed.' 

'"Mr. Edwards, Knockalva, Jamaica, says 
that for many years they had no change of 
blood till 1853, when Sir Oliver (1T33) and 
Malcolm (l(UG) were imported, and that they 
did the greatest service in the island ; that this 
breed are good workers, hardy and of great 
aptitude to fatten. Jlr. Mcrryman of Maryland, 
and Mr. John Johnston, of New York, testified 




SIR GARNET (6180) 2489. 
Bred by B. Rogers. 

to the breed standing the variations of the 
climate remarkably well. Mr. W. Uangau, from 
Hunter's River, Australia, in addition to their 
feeding powers and hardiness of constitution, 
found they were exc-ellent in traveling long dis- 
tances and that they would do from 2.50 to 300 
miles better than any others. I have therefore 
shown that the Herefords are admirable for 
foreign countries. Amongst the most noted 
strains of blood I find Leopold (1) and Wel- 
lington (I), which bull was sold in 1816 for 
£283 ($1,415), from whom the mottled faces 
are mostly descended, and Victory (33), which 
was a dark grey, and Cotmore (376), which was 
a white-faced bull, and Brockswood (485), 
which was a light grey, were all specially noted 
in the first number of Mr. Eyton's Herd Book. 
"Mr. Dixon remarks that there were not 
many points of difference between the dark 
greys and the mottled faces, the latter of which 
were known as Ben Tomkins' sort ; and that 
Rev. Mr. Smythies,of The Lynch, was one of the 
best and most spirited breeders of his day, and 
offered to show a hundred Herefords against 
the same number of Shorthorns from any herd 
in England. All these remarks show that much 



pains and infinite care has been taken in per- 
fecting this noble breed, and for the best lines 
of blood the Herd Book must be consulted. 

"The breeders put their heifers to the bull at 
from eighteen months old to two years, and the 
calves generally run by the side of their dams 
for several months. The cows are put to the 
bull at a certain time, so that they may gener- 
ally come due to calve in the early spring, and to 
meet the grass; although some others like the 
cows to calve about October or November, hous- 
ing the calves and keeping them on with a little 
milk and cake, so as to be strong by the summer. 
Some breeders think that by letting the calves 
suck the mothers it prevents the cows coming 
into season for the bull as early as if they were 
weaned at once, but from incpiiries I have made 
I find but little difference in it. This is con- 
trary to my own and other breeders' practice, 
as I have found the cow lies barren, especially 
Shorthorns, for some months after calving, if 
the calf lies night and day with the dam. 
Several Herefordshire breeders are in the habit 
(if giving their calves, at a very early age, good, 
old beans, which should be given whole, and in 
a few days they begin to crack them after roll- 
ing them about in their mouths, and secreting 
that frothy saliva which seems to be so con- 
ducive to a calf's well doing. I have tried the 
plan and can speak highly of the practice. No 
food can be better, as beans are peculiarly fitted 
for forming bone and muscle. 

"On the whole, I believe the Hereford breed 
as a flesh forming animal is second to no breed 
in the world. The meat itself is equal, when 
well fed, to the best- Scotch, and every authority 
proves they do well when imported into other 
climes. In England it is found that the best 
grass lands are most calculated for their flesh 
development, and when tied up, liberally fed, 
and well cared for, they can hold their own in 
the show yard against any breed in the country. 
As dairy cattle the Shorthorns beat them, but, 
taking all things into consideration, England 
mav well be proud of her white-faced Herefords. 

"JoTiN Herslet Fowler. 
"Prebendal Farm, near Aylesbury, 
"Jan. 7, 1884." 

Consul S. B. Packard, of Liverpool (lf249), 
reported : 

"HEREFORD CATTLE. This breed takes 
its name from the county where they were first 
bred, but they are to be found also in the adjoin- 
ing counties. They are also grazed on most of 
the great grazing farms of the midland coun- 
ties, and there are also breeding herds in Scot- 
land and Ireland. The Queen's celebrated herd 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



3G9 



is kept near Windsor, Berkshire. This breed 
adapts itself easily to the severe eliiiiate of the 
North, as well as the milder climate of the 
South. Jn America, some are to be found in 
ranches (),0()0 feet above the sea level, and no 
better proof can be given of the hardiness of 
the Herefords. Of this breed the Earl of 
Coventry says: 'I have observed Hereford cattle 
for twenty years, but I only connnenced form- 
ing a herd nine years ago. During that period 
I have tried them alongside pedigree Shorthorns 
and other breeds of cattle, and I am so satisfied 
of the superiority of the Hereford breed for 
feeding purposes, that I have disposed of other 
sorts. They are a hardy breed, doing well out 
of doors all the year around. Their quality of 
meat is very superior ; they have less rough meat 
about them than the Shorthorns, hence, first- 
class butchers prefer them to other sorts.' (Oct. 
21, 1883.) They are a perfectly pure race of 
cattle and liave been brought to their present 
excellence by the judicious selection of both 
male and female animals, and not by the intro- 
duction of crosses of other breeds. This strictly 
pure blood gives them the great value they have 
for improving other breeds. 

"Color. The distinguishing color is red 
with a white face, chest and belly, white flank, 
and white tip to the tail; white on the legs, 
white mane and often white line along the back. 
The red with white face is invariable, and the 
white predominates, more or less, on different 
animals. There are also grey Herefords, but 
these are now confined to one or two herds. 

"Herd Book. The date of the first Herd 
Book is 1845. 

"IxCRE.vsE. The demand for exportation 
principally for the United States and Canada 
has increased the stock of the district, owing to 
more farmers breeding." Consul Packard had 
a tabulated form that he copied in his reports, 
with each British breed, showing the products, 
average weights and other important statistics 
very useful, in this form, for comparing the 
breeds, from which we take the following sta- 
tistics for Herefords: 

AVERAGE WEIGHT AT MATt'IilTY. 

Cow 12 to 14Eng. cwt.=Am. wt. 1S44 to ir,C8 lbs. 

nuU 16 to 20 Eng. cwt.=Am. wt. 1S24 to 2240 lbs. 

Ox 20 to 22 Eng. cwt.= Am. wt. 2240 to 2464 lbs. 

Age at maturity: 3 years. 

How long hrrd pure: From a very remote 
period. 

Annual average pounds of milk: Xine thou- 
,sind five hundred pounds. 

Milk to pounds of butter: 30 lbs. to 1 lb. 
butter. 



A good cow has been shown to yield U 
pounds of butter per week at grass. 

One gave 35 pounds of milk, yielding 2| 
pounds of butter per day. 

Meat Product: 1,770 lbs. 

Labor: Little or none. 

Method of housing: Open yards during 
winter, with a run out by day; summer, out in 
rough pasture. 

Feeding: Ha}', straw, and roots in winter; 
rough pasture in summer. 

Breeding: Heifers have calves at two-and- 
a half years, and continue to breed until they 
are old. 

Grasses: Clover, rye grass, meadow, fox-tail, 
and English natural grasses. 

Lire weights of fatted cattle of this breed: 



No. 1» (pounds) 2,394 1,724 1,621 

No. 2 (pounds) 2.135 1,862 1,764 

No. 3 (pounds) 3,024 1,SS4 1,855 

No. 4 (pounds) 2,500 1,778 1.832 

•No. 1 ox of the above table is the property of Mr. J. 
Price, and was the winner of the Elkington challenge cup. 
which has never been done except by this Hereford. 

"Price. At the recent total dispersion by 
auction of two old establi.'^hed herds the average 
price was just $375, including cows, bulls and 
suckling calves. At one sale, the leading bull 




TREGREHAN (6232) 6203. 
Bred by MaJ. Carlyon. 

sold for $4,139 ; at the other sale 12 two-year- 
old heifers averaged $652 each ; the highest 
priced cow was $1,329; there were 117 animals 
in one sale and 91 in the other. 

"The soil of Herefordshire is various, from 
clay to light sandy soil, much of which is of in- 
ferior quality. The substratum is principally 
limestone, clay and gravel. The temperature 



lU 



n I S T l{ V OF H K K K ¥ K D A T T L E 



at the altitiule of Km to :)()() feet above sea-level 
is ill summer li<)° : in winter 39° ; the mean dur- 
ing the year, 4!)°." 

REPORT OF COXaUL LATHKOJ', OF BRISTOL, ENG- 
LAND. 

"I have the honor to enclose a report on 
Hereford cattle in answer to Department cir- 
cular of the 18th of July, 1883. This con- 
sulate has in its immediate vicinity three breeds 
of cattle, viz., Devons, a fine tribe of Short- 
horns, and Herefords. 

"I have selected the latter breed as the sub- 




CHERRY 24th, 2410. 
Bred by J. B. & G. H. Greeu, Herefordshire. 

ject of my report, to the exclusion of the other 
two, for the following reasons : (1) On account 
of the wide celebrity already enjoyed by these 
two breeds, making a report unnecessary; and 
(2) on account of the fact that the Hereford 
seems to be, of all breeds in the United King- 
dom, the one most suited to the needs of tlie 
stock of the United States. While much of 
what I have written is undoubtedly familiar to 
our breeders, yet I trust that this report may 
contribute somewhat towards diffusing widely a 
knowledge of the great merits of this sterling 
breed. 

"Hereford cattle in the herd are a peculiarly 
impressive sight. Their grand development, 
their firm agilitv and light activitv, their intel- 
ligent faces and placid expression, and possildy 
more than anything else, their wonderful 
similarity to each other, all combine to make a 
spectacle pleasing to even the most indifferent 
observer. He cannot fail to note how closely 
they conform to a common type, and that type 
a striking one. Its main feature is suggested 
when I say that they are oftencr spoken of as 
'white-faces.' or 'red-with-white-faces.' than as 
Herefords. But Hereford cattle have not 
alwavs thus assimilated so closelv to a common 



tv))e. Up to well within the present century 
there were four distinct varieties of the breed, 
ditfering widely from one another in appear- 
ance, but they have succumbed so completely to 
the 'red-with-white-face' that a Hereford not 
thus marked is as rare as a white crow. 

"The origin of the breed is doubtful. The 
l)est authorities consider it aboriginal ; others 
claim its importation from Normandy or Flan- 
ders; others, again, think the climate and con- 
ditions of Hereford County have made what 
they have, out of an animal that originally in- 
habited the shire of Devon. Be its origin what 
it may, its environment in Hereford County 
and surrounding counties has resulted in one of 
the finest beef producing breeds of cattle in the 
world, nor is the breed to be despised for the 
dairy under conditions more favorable than are 
to lie obtained in its home county. 

"The authentic history of the breed begins 
about the year 1800. In the year before this, 
occurred the first cattle show of the celebrated 
Smithfield Club, and a Hereford ox was the 
winner of the first prize; a more general ac- 
knowledgment of merit, then, than 'now, be- 
cause at that time, and indeed up to the year 
18.11, all breeds were shown in competition with 
each other. This ox was 6 feet 7 inches high, 
10 feet 4 inches girth, and dressed 1,976 
pounds meat; his success was maintained by the 
breed so well that up to 18.'jl the Herefords are 
credited in Smithfield Club records with one 
hundred and eighty-five prizes for their oxen 
and steers against one hundred and ninety for 
all other breeds together, including Shorthorns, 
Devons, and Scotch. The records for prizes 
won by Hereford cows and heifers is, however, 
by no means so good, being twenty-two for them 
against one hundred and eleven for all other 
breeds. Mr. Duckham in his interesting and 
valuable little work on the breed, comments 
thus upon this disparity between the success of 
the males and females. He says : 

" 'This is certainly great falling off compared 
with the oxen and steers and goes far to prove 
the correctness of my remark respecting the 
study of nature's laws in the cultivation of the 
soil, and of the adaptation of stock to it. The 
soil of the countv of Hereford being neither 
applicable for dairy or feeding purposes, those 
who have cultivated it for ages, made it their 
duty to breed steers and oxen which should by 
their superior quality and aptitude to fatten, 
command the attention of the distant grazier.' 

"Herefordshire has 550,000 acres. About 
100,000 acres are utilized neither for pasture 
nor agriculture; the balance is divided equally, 
almost, between these two pursuits. The sub- 



HISTORY OF HEKEFOKD CATTLE 



371 



stKatuni is a light ivd sandstone, and the soil 
generally is a tleep red heavy loam, some- 
times with some elay in it. The surface of 
the county is hilly, and averages about 250 feet 
above sea level. There are some small but 
beautiful and fertile valleys. The culture of 
tree fruits, notably apples, and of hops is largely 
pursued. Damp fogs prevail at some seasons 
and help to keep the grass beautifully green all 
the year round. 

"Mr. Southall has kindly furnished me with 
the following particulars of temperature, rain- 
fall, etc., the results of his own observations at 
his house in Ross, the southern part of Hereford 
county: 

Temperature. 1882. 1883. 

Absolute maximum 84"!' 77^0' 

Absolute minimum 19°6' 18°8' 

Average maximum 57°1' 56^9' 

Average minimum 42°3' 41°6' 

Mean 49°7' 49°25' 



"The temperature reached the extreme height 
only on three or four days in the year of 18<S4, 
and in 1883, on one day only. The rainfall 
amounted in 1883 to 31.52 inches, being 1.3-1 
inches more than the average. There were in 
this year 1!)7 days on which rain fell. 

"The ideal Hereford is thus described by Mr. 
Dnckham : 'The face, throat, chest, or lower 
part of the body and legs, together with the 
crest, or mane, and the tip of the tail, a beauti- 
fully clear white: a small red spot on the eye 
and a round red s])ot on the throat, in the mid- 
dle of the white, are distinctive marks which 
have many admirers. The horns are of a yel- 
low or white waxy appearance, frequently 
darker at the ends; those of the bull should 
spring out straightly from a broad, flat fore- 
head, whilst those of the cows have a wave and 
a slight upwaril tendency. The countenance is 
at once pleasant, cheerful and open, presenting 
a placid appearance, denoting a good temper 
and that quietude of disposition which is so es- 
sential to the successful grazing of all ruminat- 
ing animals; yet, the eye is full and lively, the 
head small in comparison to the substance of 
the body. The muzzle white, and moderately 
fine thin cheek. The chest deep and full, well 
covered on the outside with mellow flesh : ker- 
nel full up from shoulder point to throat: and 
so beautifullv do the shoulder blades Idend into 
the body that it is difficult to tell in a well-fed 
animal where they are set on. The chine and 
loins broad ; hips long, and moderately broad : 
legs straight and small. The rump forming a 
straight line with the back, and at a right angle 
with the thigh, which should be full of flesh 
down to the hocks, without exuberance ; twist 



good, well filled up with flesh even wdth the 
thigh. The ribs should spring well and deep, 
level with shoulder point; the flank full, and 
the whole carca.ss well and evenly covered with 
a rich mellow flesh, distinguishable by yielding 
wdth a pleasing elasticity to the touch. The 
hide thick, yet mellow, and well covered with 
soft, glossy hair having a tendency to curl.' 

"A glance at the cuts presented here will show 
us immediately how closely the animals whose 
portraits have been selected to accompany this 
article answer to this description. The bull 
Romeo {^ 250) is perfect. He was bred by Mr. 
Carwardine, of Leominster, in Herefordshire, 
and was .sold in 1882 to Messrs. Earl & Stuart, 
of Ijafayette, Ind., where he now is. 

"The ox pictured here (11251) was bred by 
Ifr. J. Price of Pembridge in Herefordshire. 
He won the Elkington Challenge Cup at Bir- 
mingham in 1881, and again in 1882. This 
challenge has never before been won twice by 
the same animal, and, in recognition of his 
great feat, the portrait of this ox is to have 




EDWARD PRICE, 
Father of John Price, Court House. Pembridge. 

the place of honor, the title page, of volume 
14 of the Hereford Herd Book, Just about to be 
issued. The general rxile is to admit to the 
Plerd Book only cuts of such animals as take 
first prize at a Royal Agricultural show. The 



372 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



thirteenth volume, I mention here, contains the 
names of 199 breeders, of whom 11 are either 
in the United States or Canada. The four- 
teenth volume, which is to be issued in Feb- 
ruary next, contains, I am informed, a mucli 
larger number of breeders' names. I hardly 
think it necessary, but still I venture to suggest 
that no American owner or breeder of Here- 
fords eligible for entry should omit to register 
them. The Herd Book is under the control of 
S. W. Urwick, Esq., of Leominster, and all 
breeders of these cattle are under obligation to 
him for the accuracy and completeness of the 
work. I take pleasure in acknowledging here 




ANXIETY (51SS) 2238. 

Bred by T. J. Carwardine. Herefordshire. Founder of 

the An.xiety family. (From a drawing by Dewey.) 

the obligation I also am under to Mr. Urwick 
for assistance rendered and information ex- 
tended in connection with this report. 

"The two cows portrayed here are both royal 
prize winners at late shows. Golden Treasure 
(1|l^52) has a little too much white for a per- 
fect Hereford, but in other respects she is all 
that a pure-ljred Hereford should be. 

"Herefords were formerly used consideralily 
in the yoke, where 'they combined the activity 
of the Devon with the strength of the Short- 
horn.' There, as well as in grazing, their placid, 
quiet temper rendered them doubly valuable. 
In those old days when they were put to the 
yoke, when the demand for meat was not so 
pressing as now, nor money requiring so rapid a 
turn-over, they were often kept until six or 
seven years old ; and their flesh developed 'that 
lieautiful marbled appearance caused by the ad- 
jnixture of fat and lean which is so much prized 
by epicures.' But the Hereford is now consid- 
ered ready for the market at from twenty to 
tbirtv months old. Grass with a little oil cake 
is all they need, and their abilitv in grazing and 
facility for fattening make the steers much 
sought after to graze in the midland counties 



for the London market. They are in their 
prime at tliree, but will grow up to four, and 
their live weight at maturity is from 1,800 to 
:i,500 pounds. The calves are dropped generally 
from April to July. Yearling heifers are sel- 
dom put to the bull. The calves run on their 
dams for 6 or 7 months and are rarely weaned 
on oil-cake. The young steers are fed upon 
grass, and get turnips and cut straw and some- 
times a little oil cake in winter. 

"I subjoin to this report a table showing the 
live weights of all the cattle of all breeds exhib- 
ited at the eighty-sixth annual show of the 
Smithfield Club in December, 1883, prepared 
by me from the official catalogue. It is pre- 
st'uted more as a matter of interest than for 
any deductions that might be drawn from it. 
'The youngest and oldest Hereford classes as a 
general thing at these shows,' Mr. Duckham 
writes me, 'are the heaviest of any exhibited.' 
Tlie superiority in weight of the younger classes 
proves, of course, their earlier development ; the 
s\ipcriority of the oldest indicates that eventu- 
allv they attain a greater size than other breeds. 
But I have already said that Herefords are not 
commonlv allowed, for various reasons, to ob- 
tain the age which in the past made them so 
remarkable for their size and weight. 

"Another reason for the lack of 'tall figures' 
in these days for cattle weights is the partial 
abandonment of the time-honored practice of' 
feeding Tip stock until it becomes so fat as to 
be literallv useless for any other purpose than 
to take a prize. Mr. McDonald, in his report to 
the Royal Agricultural Society upon the stock 
exhibited at the society's meeting at York in 
.Tuly, 188.3, says on this point: 'Overfeeding 
has been disappearing somewhat in recent years. 
There is still too much of it, however.' He says 
elsewhere: 'Preparation for modern show yards 
is a severe ordeal and only good constituted ani- 
mals can endure it. It leads to many breeding 
mishaps and failures — but when one finds the 
sires and dams of so many of the prize winners 
themselves in prize lists, as was the case at 
York, one is forced to the conclusion that suc- 
cessful showing and breeding go hand in hand 
to a considerable extent and to a larger degree 
than is commonly imagined ; and one is led to 
believe that high feeding is not so detrimental 
in skillful hands to successful breeding as is 
generally imagined.' 

" 'Herefords, and onlv Herefords, are found 
in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Monmouthshire, 
Radnorshire, Breconsbire, and also in ^Yorces- 
tershire, and ]\Tontgomervshire. Large num- 
bers are also found in Cornwall and Ireland, 
and there are herds of them in many other 



IIISTUKY UF IIEIJEFUKD CATTLE 



373 



coiuitii'S. They are seldom crossed with tlie 
Sliortliorn, thoiijih they are said to blend well 
when it is done; the same statement holds good 
with tlie Ayrshires. Hereford on Devon has 
been tried, resulting in a progeny inferior in 
some respects. Hereford on Alderney is said 
to jjroduce satisfactory results, improving tlie 
cow of the first cross as a feeder and not injtir- 
ing her milk in quantity or quality. A cross 
with the West Highland Kyloe was a failure, 
but with Galloway Polls was a great success.' 
These statements of the n'sults of Hereford 
crosses are taken from a prize essay from the 
Eoyal Agricultural Society made by the late H. 
H. Dixon, a n(ital)le authority on such matters 
when alive. 

"Evidence establishes beyond question that 
tile Hereford, when removed to almost any 
climate, does not degenerate as a beef ])roduc('r. 
The females, too, of the breed are found most 
satisfactory for the dairy, under different con-, 
ditions than can be found in their home coun- 
tries. Both of these conclusions are contrary 
to an o]iinion I have heard many express to the 
effect that Herefords deteriorate away from 
home. But T have observed that while such an 
opinion seems very general, it is maintained by 
th.o«e without special knowledge of the breed, 
p.nd I think it an inherited pro'Judice, which a 
lift!' investigation woubl disprove to the satis- 
faction of the holder. 'Old prejudices die hard' 
is true and trite. In Bedfordshire and Dorset 
herds have been maintained for many years, 
fil'tv in some cases, and these herds are fully up 
to the standard of the homebred ones; in every 
case, that is. in which due care has been taken 
to get an occasional infusion of fresh blood. 
In the wet and changeable climate of Cornwall 
the breed is established largely and maintains 
its reputation, though Devons and Shorthorns 
are said to deteriorate there. In the counties 
near London. Surrey, Cambridge, and Kent, 
Herefords have done well; also, in Wales and 
Scotland. They withstand the severe climate 
of the latter country without any seeming diffi- 
culty, and will live where many Shorthorns can- 
not. In Ireland they are much esteemed and 
their number is constantly increasing. They 
maintain in all these places their characteristics 
of early development and rapid and even fat- 
tening. 

"The breed seems to stand the heat with the 
same indifference it does the cold. In Jamaica 
the progeny of some imported Hereford bulls 
have proved the most valuable and useful stock 
in the island : and the heat of Australia has not 
affected in the slightest degree the characteris- 
tics of the large number of Herefords there. 



Of tlieir success in the United States I shall 
s])eak further on. 

"1 have thus far considered the Herefords 
mainly as a butcher's breed. I will now speak 
of their qualifications for the dairy. In the 
shire of Dorset, one of the crack dairy districts 
of England, producing a butter much sought 
after, there are many Hereford dairy herds. 
The owner of the largest of these herds wrote 
twenty years since as follows: 'Our herd of 
Herefords has been established nearly thirty 
years, and so far from their being degenerated 
with us they are much improved and Hereford 
dairies are becoming very common in this 
county. In proof that they are good for milk 
with us, we let nearly 100 cows to dairy people, 
and if I buy one of any other breed to fill up 
the dairy, they always grumble, and would 
rather have one of our own l)red heifers. Our 
system is, we let our cows at so much per year, 
finding them in land and making the hay ; the 
calves being reared by hand with skim milk and 
linseed until three months old, when we take 
them and allow a quarter's rent of the cow for 
the calf at that age ; they are then turned into 
the pasture.' 

"The proprietor of this heril and writer of 




I \1 I oi SH4II1 LWli 11 

Bred by Adams Eail Called the Rorord Bre-iker ne\er 

btmg deteated 

this letter was Mr. James, of Blandford, Dor- 
set. His son writes me iinder date January 
19th, 188 1, that the same system is still pursued 
and that the Herefords are as great a success 
as ever. He says : 'My late father and myself 
have kept and bred Herefords for dairy cows 
for forty-eight years and have always used the 
best blood we could get. I have won a number 
of prizes for "dairy cows" and "dairy cows and 
offspring" against Devons and Shorthorns.' Mr. 
James further savs: 'In a cold, wet, sour place 
there is nothing like the Herefords; their good 



374 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



coats are a protection in the winter. The but- 
ter that is made is a splendid color and taste. 
There are lots of Hereford dairies in this 
county. In the year 1881 I sold two bulls to 
cross Shorthorns, and I know parties who have 
crossed Herefords with Shorthorns and have 
come back again to the Herefords.' 

"Mr. White writes me from AYiltshire as fol- 
lows : 'I keep a dairy of ninety pure-bred Here- 
ford cows, which breed has been kept on this 




Rl'DOLPH t6i;i;iij 1347S. 
Bred by P. Turner, Herefordshire. 

farm for the last si.xty years, and I have at all 
times endeavored to obtain the milkiest strain I 
could, and I think I have now a herd of cows 
more adapted to dairy purposes than any other 
Hereford herd in this country. I have made 
fair trials Ijetwecn the Hereford and Shorthorn 
as to profit, and I give my decided preference to 
the former.' 

"The testimony from these two herds is the 
most valuable that could possibly be obtained 
as to the dairy capabilities of the breed, as they 
are the largest, and have been longest estab- 
lished of any in existence. I have received let- 
ters similar in tenor to the above from various 
smaller breeders in different counties, and I 
have not been able to discover an instance where 
breeders or dairvmen have changed back to 
other breeds after starting in with Herefords. 
I had hoped to send with this report some fig- 
ures giving actual milk and butter products, 
etc., but I must leave them for a supplementary 
report, as I have already detained this one over 
a month, waiting for the promised statistics. 
But it is not so much as milkers that the TTnited 
States are interested in the breed, but as beef 
producers ; and that in this capacity they are 
indeed largely interested will be proved when 
I say that the extraordinarv demand for pedi- 
gree Herefords from the Ignited States in the 
last few years has so increased the price of these 



cattle that the Hereford breeders are looked 
upon with envy by other breeders throughout 
the kingdom as having 'struck a bonanza.' 
That Herefords will repay a large expenditure 
is undeniable. Their tremendous development of 
flesh, their activity as feeders, their insensibility 
to changes of climate, their hardiness, their 
quiet and placid tempers, are just precisely the 
qualities needed for the improvement of our 
western, Texas, and Spanish cattle. Their 
bulls, too, have a marvelous faculty of impress- 
ing their qualities on their get, and there is 
many a half lireed Hereford which is absolutely 
iiidistinguishal)le in appearance and quality 
from a pure bred one, so completely is the in- 
fluence of the dam eliminated. Another point. 
The Hereford is especially' strong just where 
our western cattle are weak, viz., in the de- 
velopment of the flesh on the back. The back 
of a well-ripened Hereford steer has been com- 
pared to a table, and the back of a Texas steer 
to a wedge. Volumes could not say more. 

"There were two remarkable sales of Here- 
fords during the past year; one, the dispersal 
of Mr. Pitt's (11253) herd at Chadnor Court, 
(TT"-54) and the other the dispersal of Mr. 
Turner's herd at The Leen. (H 255) Mr. I'itt 
established his herd in 1843, from four cele- 
brated cows of the day. I present a little state- 
ment of the amounts received by Mr. Pitt at 
this sale. 

Number of Animals. Value. Average. 

32 cows with two calves $13,450.00 $420.00 

25 calves 4,961.63 198.47 

12 2-year-old heifers 7.818.05 651.50 

3 2-year-old heifers 1,113.67 371.22 

12 yearlings 3.995.87 333.00 

7 bulls 2,800.00 400.00 

"Ninety-one animals averaged about $375 
each. The average of $651.50 for 12 two-year- 
old heifers has never before been equalled in 
England in any breed. 

"Mr. Turner's herd has been established for 
about eighty years, his grandfather being the 
founder. Since 1854 Mr. Turner has won with 
individuals of his herd 111 first prizes, GO 
second prizes, 11 third, beside 52 special prizes. 
He received an average of $369 apiece for his 
animals, his cows and calves averaging a little 
higher. His chief stock bull. The Grove 3d 
(5051) 2490 (11256) brought over 830 gs. 
($4,150). 

"These two herds were exceptionally fine and 
had a wide celebrity. Many of the animals 
went to the United States, making, with all 
others forwarded, a total of 1,800 pedigree 
Herefords sent to the United States from Feb- 
ruary 1, 1883, to February 1, 1884. This in- 
cludes one lot of 300 sent to Baltimore in 



HIST K Y OF 11 E 1{ E F 1! 1) V A T T L E 



375 



Jaiiuarv of tliis prt'si'iit VL-ar. The quest ion 
iiaturally i-oiiit'S up now, wlu'ther tliis deiiianil 
lor tliL' Ik'iTt'ords is a t'aiicv or a fashion, likely 
to die out and let down prices. It is worth 
considering. I have said that the principal 
demand for the Herefords in tlie United States 
was as beef makers, hut 1 did not intend at all 
to intimate that tlieir merit as milkers was 
overlooked. On the contrary, many breeders 
in the I'nited States are enthusiastic over them 
as a dairy breed and ijuite a nunil)er of wealthy 
men are forming herds. Some go so far as to 
claim that the Hereford is the coming breed, 
which is going to carry all before it, and that 
the Shorthorn will eventually fall before the 
Jliddlehorn, just as the Longhorn went down in 
the past. The high esteem in which the breed 
(Tin 2bCA, 25GB, 25(>C, 25tiD, 256E) is 
held in the United States and the growing 
appreciation of its merits which exists in Eng- 
land pn'clude, it seems to me, the possibility 
of a fall in prices in the near future, or, in fact, 
for many years. It is even possible that for a 
time prices may go higher than now. A man 
writes nie from Hereford County thus: I am 
now looking out for a lot of pedigree Hereford 
cattle for America; they are more diflicult to 
get, as the demand has been great and prices are 
much higher. 

"How TO Export Herefords. — By far the 
larger pro])ortion of the Herefords sent to the 
United States go via Livi'rpool, though several 
large h(>rds have been sent by way of Bristol. 
I am of the opinion that in many cases better 
facilities could be ol)tained via Bristol than are 
oiitained via Liverpool. One reason I liave for 
this o])inion is the fact that several of the 
steamers jilying in the lines from Bristol to 
Xew York are unusually high between decks, 
'and extremely well lighted and ventilated — an 
important matter. Another advantage is that 
cattle can be brought from Hereford in the ears 
directly alongside of the ship's deck. 

"The (ireat Western Railway Company quote 
the following to me as about their average rates 
for transporting cattle from the tow'n of Here- 
ford to Bristol or to Avonmouth decks (a port 
of Bristol): 

Half wagon load, consisting of 4 cattle $ 5.46 

Small wagon load, ronsisting of 7 fat cattle S.20 

Medium wagon load, consisting of 8 fat cattle S 23 

Large wagon load, unlimited (holding about 10) 11.00 

'"The Great Western Steamship Company, 
plying between Bristol and New York, inform 
me tliat their rates average from $25 to $30 per 
full grown animal. The ship provides water 
and stalls ami their bills of lading contain this 
clause: 'Ship not accountable for mortality or 



aecident from any cause whatever.' A herd of 
101) Hereford cattle was carried on this line 
some time ago at the following rates: Cows 
and heifers, $2-1.33; calves, .$12.1(5 each; suck- 
ling calves, $4.86 each. A herd of fine Jersey 
cattle carried on this line subsequently, when 
freights were higher, paid an average of $30.50 
each for full grown animals. In order to take 
proper care of valuable cattle in ocean transit, 
there should be one man for each twelve cattle. 
Competent men for this purpose can be hired in 
England for about $1.25 per day and all ex- 
])enses paid, including a pass back to the port of 
departure. When a steamer gives rate for car- 
rying cattle, the pass over and back for a cer- 
tain number of cattle tenders is included. The 
foreman in charge of the tenders would of 
course get more than $1.25 per day, but in most 
cases he is the American agent or buyer, or is 
connected in some permanent capacity with 
the farm or the business of the purchaser. 
Such cattle of course are insured to tlu'ir full 
value almost invariablv, and are admitted, be- 
ing breeding animals, into the United States 
free of duty. Certificates from a veterinary 
surgeon and from the Consul at the jjoint of 
departure invariably accompany such consign- 
ments. 

"Herefords in the Uxited States. — Any 
account of Plerefords in the United States 
would l)e incomplete without mention in con- 




PRINCESS (V. 13. p, I.-,:'), 
Bred by T. Marston, Herefordshire. 

nection thcrew^ith of the name of Mr. T. L. 
ililler, of Beecher, 111. He was the first, or one 
of the first, to perceive what a boon to the stock 
of the United States the almost unknown Here- 
ford would be, and for years he has persistently 
and enthusiastically advocated him in his 
'Breeders' Live Stock .Journal.' In 1ST3 he im- 
ported from Hereford a two-year-old heifer, 
Dolly Yarden. with a calf at foot. She has 
lirought a live calf everv year since, one of the 



376 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



first being the bull 'Success,' hitherto acknowl- 
edged as the best Hereford bull in the United 
States, and still alive and active. Dolly Varden 
and Success have been repeatedly exhibited and 
never beaten, whilst the get of Success has in 
several instances brought $1,000 per head. 

"The 'Hereford Times,' of Oct 18, 1883, says: 
'To this purchase of Dolly Varden and her calf, 
combined with the indomitable energy and 
perseverance of Mr. ]\Iiller, the brisk demand, 
present high favor and repute in which Here- 
ford cattle are held is attributable.' Mr. Mil- 
ler's neighbors in Hlinois are following his ex- 
ample in importing Herefords. Messrs. 6. 
Leigh & Co., of Beecher, 111., have bought eight 
animals within the past few weeks from the 
herd at Felhampton Court; Mr. Culbertson, of 
Chicago, two; and Mr. J. V. Farwell, also of 
Chicago, 16, all from the same herd. 

"Acknowledgments. — In conclusion I wish 
to acknowledge the extreme courtesy with which 
my requests for information have been re- 
sponded to by the breeders of Herefords. It is 
not always easy for a consul to obtain informa- 
tion. His requests sometimes are met with dis- 
courtesy, sometimes with indifference; but in 
this case only five letters out of about a hundred 
and thirty-five dispatched by me remained un- 
answered. In every case in which I had a per- 
sonal interview with Hereford men, except one, 



every facility was placed at my disposal for a 
thorough investigation. I have to acknowledge, 
especially, the kindness in connection with this 
report of Thomas Duckham, Esq., M. P. ; of 
S. W. Urwick, Esq., secretary of the Hereford 
Herd Book ; of J. Bowen Jones, Esq., of Shrop- 
shire; of Lord Moreton, M. P.; of E. G. 
Clarke, Esq., of Bristol; of N. J. Hine, Esq., 
assistant secretary of the Smithfield Club." 

From the table prepared by Consul Lathrop, 
showing the respective weights of the cattle 
exhibited at the eighty-sixth annual show of 
the Smithfield Club, December, 1883, we con- 
dense the following table of weights for the five 
heaviest steers under two years old of each 
breed, as showing the early development and 
heavier weights of the Hereford yearlings over 
all other breeds, their winnings evidencing their 
earlier maturitv : 



Herefords. Shorthorns. Sussex. 

1588 1544 1540 

165S 1498 1537 

1468 1426 1425 

1424 142.'! 1424 

1364 1369 1370 



Devon. Cross-breds. 
1186 1536 

1162 1456 

1140 1455 

1115 1392 

1028 1365 



While mere weight decides nothing, without 
consideration of the cost, this tal)le, taken with 
other statistics, shows that there is not and has 
never been any preponderance of weight — age 
considered — of the Shorthorns, over the Here- 
fords and other large breeds of British cattle. 




THE EQUINOX 2758. 
Bred by J. Merryman, Maryland. 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CAT T L E 



37? 



CHAPTER XXXYI. 

Herefords as Dairy Cattle 



Those who have had experience with Here- 
ford c-attle know tliat some families are fine 
milkers, and that the milk of all the Hereford 
cows is rich in butter. Our experience with 
grade Herefords as milkers has been highly 
satisfactory; these grades proving to be good 
nnlkers and the quality of the milk rich. One 
ht rd of thoroughbred Herefords that we bought 
of D. K. Shaw, of New York, were all of them 
good dairy cows. 

We have also given elsewhere much testimony 
on dairy Herefords, especially in the preceding 
chapter. Mr. Sotham, in his controversy with 
the Shorthorn scribes, mentioned that a Here- 
ford cow was champion dairy cow at the first 
show of the Roval xVgricultural Society at Ox- 
ford, 1839 ; in 'a letter to the Albany "Culti- 
vator" for January, 1844, headed "Herefords — 
their Dairy Properties, etc.," Mr. Sotham says: 

Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker: According to 
promise I send you the result of my dairy; 
but it will not be any criterion to judge from, 
although the actual weight is taken from the 
book of Mrs. Sheldrick, who has kept a correct 
account of every pound made. 

I had no dairy to keep my milk in the month 
of February, when six of my cows were milk- 
ing, and not one jwund was made from them 
during that month. Three of them calved in 
January. 

There were nine three-year-olds, two four- 
year-olds and one seven, milked during the 
month of ^larch. I sold Cherry, a three-year- 
old heifer, on the '2d of April. From that time 
unlii the first of October I milked eleven, at 
which time I sold my milk to the milkman. The 
following is a true statement: 

From March 1st to Oct. 1st, butter 1.456V4 lbs. 

3'> cream cheeses. 3 lbs. each, equal 105 lbs. butter 

113 quarts cream, sold, equal to 113 lbs. butter 

1.674>4 

^[y opinion is that the same cows next year 
will make nearly double the quantity; for my 
first cow, Lucy, 4 years old, calved Nov. 28, 



and made 8 lbs. 2 oz. last week; the only cow 
I have now in milk. I quote from the "Mark 
Lane Express" the following remarks from a 
speech made by the celebrated breeder, W. 
Fisher Hobbs, Esq., at the annual meeting of 
the East Sussex Agricultural Society, Oct. 11, 
1843: 

"He could not, however, conclude without 
making a few observations as a successful candi- 
date. It had frequently been his good fortune 
to appear before them in that character, but he 
never felt so much pleasure from the circum- 
stances as on the present occasion ; for it must 
be admitted on all hands that except in a few 
instances the competition was very good indeed, 
and in some cases very severe struggles. 

"He was the more happy as a great victory 
had been gained for a breed of cattle for which 
he was a strong advocate. He did not think, 
as judges were generally prejudiced in favor of 
Shorthorns, that Herefords could have been so 
successful as they had that daj been. 

"When he first became a farmer he was de- 
termined to have a good breed of cattle. He 
first tried Shorthorns, because he thought they 
were the best; and at a sale in Suffolk he 
purchased several, better than which could not 
be obtained. He also purchased some Hen^ 
fords, and kept them together for twelve 
months and the result was most decidedly in 
favor of the Herefords. He was, therefore, 
compelled, contrary to his own wishes, to give 
up the Shorthorns and take to Herefords; and 
he had from that time continued to do so, 
being satisfied that with his soil and climate 
they paid the best. (Hear, hear.) He trusted 
the farmers whom he was addressing would do 
as he had done, and judge for themselves what 
description of stock was best suited to their 
farms; and when they were satisfied that they 
had a breed which would prove most profitable 
to them, he would advise them to keep to them ; 
and if they came here to exhibit them and were 
occasionally unsuccessful, he would advise them 
to go home with a determination of meeting 



378 



IT I S T 1? Y () !•' II E 1{ E FORD C A T T L E 



with more siioei-ss on a future oeeasion." 
( Cheers. ) 

Be it rememliered that 'Sir. Holibs gained the 
first premium as the owner of the best cow in 
milk, of any breed, tvith a Hereford. }Y}iat 
will the pen deiiressers of milking Ilcrefords 
say to thiti? Will they not have to put on their 
"studvin'g caps" to find some endorsers for 
"Youatt?" 

Again, I refer you to a sale of Herefords in 
the "Mark Lane I']xpress" Oct. 30, page 12. the 
property of Mr. John Hewer : "An in-calf 
cow. Lady, by Chance, was knocked down for 




QUEEN OP THE LILLIES 4367. 
Bred by T. E. Miller. Beecher, HI. 

100 guineas ($500) ; two-year-old Victoria at 
87 guineas ($435) ; yearling heifer, 40 guineas 
($200) ; an aged bull, Dangerous (the sire of 
some of my heifers), 100 guineas ($500) ; Lofty, 
and bull calf, 51 guineas ($255), and several 
others at similar prices." 

What does this say for the Herefords? Will 
it not "prove" that some writers know nothing 
about them? and will it not teach some of them 
to search for facts before they "abuse the 
Herefords ?" 

I refer you again to a sale at Algarkirke 
of an excellent herd of Shorthorn cattle belong- 
ing to Mr. Rogerson, same paper for Oct. 23, 
page 12 : "Nonesuch, two years and six months 
old, was knocked down at "£27 10s. ($136.68), 
a verv fine animal; others fetched from £20 
to £25 ( $100 to $125) . Altogether the sale has 
been highly satisfactory, and reflects equal 
credit on the breeder and the auctioneer. Young 
Spectator was on the ground and was much ad- 
mired." 

Such comparisons as these are the true stand- 
ards for other breeders and it is gratifying to 
find such authority to substantiate the facts I 
have previously stated. I have an own sister 



to Tjady, several half sisters to Lofty, and two 
half sisters to Victoria; and they came from 
the bleak hills of Gloucestershire, from the 
herds of W'illiam, John and Joseph Hewer. 1 
do not think an "extraordinary" milker is a 
profitable animal for the farmer. If I can keep 
my cows up to from 6 to 8 lbs. each, for nine 
months, I will be perfectly satisfied; nor do I 
think that three herds in twenty will do more, 
unless selected entirely for that purpose. We 
all know that a great quantity of milk requires 
to be forced with extra feed; and when such a 
cow is dried for the grazier or feeder, I want 
liim to keep an accurate account of food con- 
sumed, and the price sold to the butcher. 

One more statement and I have done. I do 
not think there are many breeders in this coun- 
try who are willing to give a remunerating 
]u'ice for a good animal. The butchers have 
far more spirit than the breeders, and my ob- 
ject in future shall be to serve them. If breed- 
ers want this stock, let them go to England 
and fetch them ; they will then know their 
true value. At present, I intend to make steers 
of all. Nor do I intend to show another animal 
for a premium in this country, so long as a 
combined prejudice exists. 

I conclude by saying that the Hon. Erastus 
Corning has rendered me every assistance with 
his purse, and deserves as much credit for this 
noble spirit as the best of the noblemen in 
England. They know agriculture is the only 
support of the country. Directing members of 
this country know equally well the benefit they 
render it by such praiseworthy transactions, and 
such are the true supporters of a prosperous 
and enterprising country. It is such men only 
tliat can place America in the exalted station 
she ought to occupy. 

Wm. H. Sotham. 

Hereford Hall, near Albany, Nov. 30, 1843. 

A notable instance of Herefords used as dairy 
stock in England has been mentioned in the 
Consul's report, that of the experience of the 
Messrs. James of Dorsetshire. 

Several years since Mr. Duckham, in writing 
us of the Herefords, gave an account of their 
use by the said Mr. Jaines, of Mappowder, near 
Blandford, Dorsetshire, England; referring to 
their use at Mappowder to show their adapta- 
bility to different sections of the country. 
When in England we had occasion to visit his 
herds and some of the neighboring herds. We 
learned from Mr. James that his father estab- 
lished this herd in 1837, and that, at his father's 
death in 1857 or 1858, he came into possession 
of the herd and has Ijred them from that time 



IlISTOKY OF UEUEFORD CATTLE 



379 



iiiilil lliL' prcst'iit, a continuous uxperinK'iit oi' 
nearly ono-half of a century — from 1837 to 
1S8J. We were desirous of knowing as nearly 
as possible the character of this work. We 
found that he used bulls from such breeders as 
Mr. Turner, of The Xoke; Mr. Jett'riis, of The 
Urove; Mr. Stephens, of Sheep House; Mr. 
Stedman, of Bedstone Hall; Mr. E. Price, of 
Court House; Mr. Thomas Rea, of Wcston- 
bury; Mr. Tudge, of Adforton; Mr. Phillip 
Turner, of The Jjcen ; Mr. Thomas Rogers, of 
Coxall, and Jlr. Myddleton, of Llynavcn. 

These breeders, from whom Mr. James se- 
lected his sires, will be recognized as among 
the leading ones in England ; Mr. James does 
not milk or work his dairies himself. He keeps 
eighty cows in milk. These are rented to two 
dairymen, 40 cows to each. The cows com- 
mence calving in ^larch, and the calves put 
upon the pail until the 1.3th of May; to which 
time the milk is used for making butter, and 
from that time for making cheese and butter. 
The bull calves go to the butcher, and the 
heifer calves are carried on to keep the herd 
good. The rental is so much per head for each 
cow, and if from any cause the cows of another 
breed arc brought in, the renters are not as well 
satisfied as when they have the entire comple- 
ment made up of Herefords. Mr. J. has not 
kept a record of their breeding, but the animals 
show as good a character as any Hereford herd 
we saw in England. This is especially shown in 
the three-year-old heifers, the two-year-olds, 
and the yearlings; and had a record been kept 
the character of the cattle would have placed 
Mr. James' herd among the best. There were 
nearly or quite 20 three-year-old heifers that 
had lost their calves; and Mr. James, instead 
of holding them for further breeding, was graz- 
ing them for the butcher. 

It was early in August when we were there, 
and we had seen no better three-year-olds. They 
would have compared favorably with any others, 
as would the yearlings; all were raised on the 
jiail to the l.Dth of May each year, and then 
on grass from that on. The cows of the herd 
are drafted out for the butcher at from 6 to 8 
years old, unless an exceptionally extra cow 
for the dairy is kept further on. The rule is, 
however, to draft for the butcher at from (i to 
S years. They ar<> then grazed and fed, and 
bring the top price for butcher's lieasts, either 
from local butchers or at Smithfield. 

Ifr. James is satisfied from this half cen- 
tury's experience that he can make more 
money from thoroughbred Herefords than from 
any other breed, or mixture of breeds. The 
spread of this blood in the vicinity of Mappow- 



der for 15 or 20 miles is constantly on the in- 
crease, and the ditt'erent dairies seen, passing 
through the country, show a large proportion of 
white-faced cattle. Since the herd has come 
into the hands of the present Mr. James, he has 
taken some pains to exhibit cattle largely at the 
county and district fairs, and has kept a record 
of the winnings, a copy of which we took. He 
has not only taken prizes at local shows, but at 
the Bath and West of England, the Eoyal, 
Smithfield, and the Birnungham Shows; and 
whether showing in competition for dairy hon- 
ors or in competition for the butcher, he has 
been a very successful exhibitor. In the dairy 
competition his competitors have been largely 
of Shorthorn and Devon blood, and these tests 
have been made strictly in view of the dairy 
class of animals. The use of Herefords at 
Mappowder for half a century as dairy cattle, 
or, if you please, as general purpose cows, com- 
bined milk and beef, has given a record that 
scarcely any other breed can show for the two 
purposes of beef and milk combined. 

Anyone at all conversant with the production 
of beef, milk, butter and cheese who will come 
and examine this herd and inform themselves 
as to its best doings, will recognize that Messrs. 
Berry and Youatt were not properly informed 
when they made the statement that the Here- 
fords were not a desirable milk breed, and 
those who have adopted the theory promulgated 




SILVIA (V. 17, p. 288) 8649. 
Bred by P. Turner, Herefordshire. 



through "Youatt's History of British Cattle" 
would find occasion to change their views after 
becoming well posted as to the results of these 
48 years' use of the Herefords in the dairy. 

We here make the statement, based upon 
this experiment, that the Hereford used as a 
dairy cow may be made a success; and that 
the bullock produce from such a dairy, and the 
draft cows, will pay more money than any other 



HISTOEY OF HEREFOED CATTLE 



breed. And we call attention especially to the 
following premiums awarded to the animals 
from this herd: 

FRIZES WON BY MR. J. W. JAMES, ON DAIRY-BRED 

IIEREFORDS. 

First prize at Sturminster for Yearling Heifer. 

First prize at Batli and West of England Show for 

Yearling Heifer. 
First prize at Bath and West of England Show for 

Extra Stock. 
First prize at Dorchester for Yearling Heifer. 
First prize at Sturminster for Yearling Bull. 
Second prize at Sturminster for Fat Cow. 
Second prize at Sturminster for Fat Heifer. 
Second prize at Sherbourne for Fat Cow. 
First prize at Yeovil for Fat Cow. 
First prize at Birmingham Fat Stock Show for Fat 

Heifer. 
First prize at Smithfleld Club Fat Stock Show for Fat 

Heifer. 
First prize at Sturminster tor Bull. 
First prize at Sturminster for Bull. 
First prize at Sturminster for Steer. 
Second prize at Sherbourne for Steer. 
First prize at Yeovil for Steer. 
First prize at Dorchester for Steer. 
First prize at Bath and West of England Show for 

Yearling Steer. 
Third prize at Bath and West of England Show for 

Yearling Steer. 
Second prize at Bath and West of England Show for 

Two-year-old Heifer. 
Second prize at Sturminster for Cow and Offspring. 
Second prize at Sturminster for Cow. 
First prize at Sturminster for One-year-old Heifer. 
First prize at Wincanton for Two Dairy Cows. 
First prize at Sherbourne for Two-year-old Heifers. 
I'-Jr.-t ini/r ^it Sh.rhriunie for One-year-old Heifer. 



First prize at Yeovil for Two-year-old Heifers. 

First prize at Yeovil for One-year-old Heifers. 

First prize at Sturminster for Cow and Offspring. 

First prize at Sturminster for Two-year-old Heifers. 

First prize at Sherbourne for Two-year-old Heifers. 

Second prize at Sherbourne for Dairy Cow. 

First prize at Dorchester for Fat Heifer. 

Second prize at Dorchester for Fat Heifer. 

First prize at Bath and West of England for Two- 
year-old Heifers. 

First prize at Sturminster for Fat Cow. 

First prize at Sturminster for Cow and Offspring. 

First prize at Sturminster for Pair Two-year-old 
Heifers. 

First prize at Yeovil for Pair Two-year-old Heifers. 

First prize at Bath and West of England for Dairy 
Cow. 

First prize at Bath and West of England tor Two- 
year-old Heifer. 

First prize at Bath and West of England for One- 
year-old Heifer. 

First prize at Dorchester for Dairy Cow. 

First prize at Dorchester tor Two-year-old Heifer. 

Second prize at Sturminster for Cow and Offspring. 

Second prize at Sturminster for Fat Cow. 

First prize at Sturminster for pair Yearling Heifers. 

Second prize at Sherbourne tor Fat Cow. 

Second prize at Sherbourne for Dairy Cow. 

First prize at Sherbourne tor Pair Yearling Heifers. 

First prize at Yeovil for Three Dairy Cows. 

First prize at Bath and West of England for Fat 
Cow. 

First prize at Bath and West of England for Fat 
Heifer. 

First prize at Bath and West of England for Best 
Cow. 

Second prize at Bath and West of England for Fat 
Cow. 

Second prize at Bath and West of England for Year- 
ling Heifer. 

First prize at Stalbridge for Stock Bull. 

First prize at Stalbridge for Yearling Heifers. 

First prize at Stalbridge for Fat Heifer. 

First prize at Sturminster for Fat Heifer. 

Second prize at Sturminster for Bull. 




HORACE (3877) 2492, AT 15 YEARS. 
by J. Davies. (From a photograph from life by Bustin.) Horace has been unsurpassed 
an improver of the breed. 



TI r S T 1{ Y OV HEREFORD CATTLE 



381 



Sturminster for Pair 



i-year- 



iild 



1869 
IStiD 
1S69 
1869 
1869 
1869 



1869 
1870 
1870 
1870 
1870 
1870 
1870 
1870 
1870 
1870 
1870 
1870 
1870 
1870 
1871 
1871 
1S71 
1871 
1871 
1871 
1871 
1871 



1871 
1871 
1871 
1871 
1872 



1873 
1873 
1873 
1873 
1873 
1873 

1S74 

1874 
1874 



1875 
1S76 
1877 
1877 
1877 
1877 
1S78 
1X79 
1879 



18J<0 
18X0 

issn 
isso 

1SS{) 
18S0 



First prize 
Heifers. 

Second prize at Sturminster for Pair Yearling 
Heifers. 

Second prize at Sherbourue for Hull. 

First prize at Sherbourne for Fat Heifer. 

First prize at Sherbourne for Pair Yearling Heifers. 

First prize at Sherbourne for Pair Y'earling Heifers. 

First prize at Yeovil for Bull. 

First prize at Yeovil for Pair Two-year-old Heifers. 

Second prize at Yeovil for Yearling Heifers. 

Second prize at Ye()vil for Fat Heifer. 

First prize at Bath and West of England for Fat 
Cow. 

First (extra) at Bath and West of England for Fat 
Heifer. 

First prize at Bath and West of England for Fat 
Cow. 

First prize at Dorchester for Fat Cow. 

Second prize at Birmingham for Fat Heifer. 

Second prize at Smithfleld for Fat Heifer. 

First prize at Plymouth for Fat Cow. 

First (special) at Plymouth for Best Cow. 

First prize at Southampton for Fat Heifer. 

First prize at Sturbridge for Fat Cow. 

First prize at Sturbridge for Fat Heifer. 

First prize at Sturminster for Fat Cow. 

Second prize at Sturminster for Fat Heifer. 

Second prize at Sturminster for Pair Yearling Heifers. 

First prize at Sherbourne for Fat Cow. 

Second prize at Y'eovil for Fat Cow. 

First prize at Y'eovil for Pair Two-year-old Heifers. 

First prize at Bath and West of England for Bull. 

First prize at Dorchester for Bull. 

First prize at Dorchester for Three Heifers. 

First prize at Stalbridge for Bull. 

First prize at Stalbridge for Cow and Calf (Dolly V). 

First prize at Stalbridge for Pair of Heifers. 

First prize at Sturminster for Bull. 

First prize at Sturminster for Pair Two-year-old 
Heifers. 

First prize at Sturminster tor Dairy Cow and Off- 
spring. 

First prize at Sturminster for Pair Yearling Heifers. 

First prize at Sherbourne for Bull. 

First prize at Sherbourne for Pair Two-year-olds. 

First prize at Sherbourne for Pair Y'earling Heifers. 

First prize at Bath and West of England Show for 
Two-year-old Heifers. 

Second prize at Bath and West of England for Little 
Bull. 

First prize at Stalbridge for Two-year-old Heifer. 

First prize at Sturminster for Two-year-old Heifer. 

First prize at Sturminster for Pair Yearling Heifers. 

Second prize at Sherbourne for Pair Two-vear-old 
Heifers. 

First prize at Sherbourne for Pair One-year-old 
Heifers. 

First prize at Bath and West of England for Two- 
year-old Heifers. 

Second prize at Bath and West of England for Calf. 

First prize at Sturminster for Bull. 

First prize at Sturminster for Two-year-old Heifers. 

First prize at Sherbourne for Two-year-old Heifers. 

First prize at Smithfleld for Fat Heifer. 

Second prize at Bath and West of England tor One- 
year-old Heifer. 

First prize at Sturminster for Bull, 

First prize at Sherbourne for Bull. 

First prize at Y'eovil for Bull. 

First prize at Bath and West of England for Two- 
year-old Heifers. 

First prize at Royal Agricultural Society's Show for 
Two-year-old Heifers. 

First prize at Dorchester for Bull. 

First prize at Sturminster for Fat Heifer. 

Second prize at Sturminster for Bull. 

Second prize at Sturminster for Bull. 

Second prize at Shelbourne for Fat Heifer. 

Third prize at Smithfleld for Fat Heifer. 

First prize at Smithfleld for Fat Heifer. 

First prize at Sturminster for Dairy Cov 



First 

Heifers. 
First prize 

Heifers. 
Second prl 



at Stu 



nster tor Pair 



at Sherbourne for Pair 



at Blandford for Dairy Cow. 
prize at Blandford for Two-year-old Heifers. 

Third prize at Blandford for Two-year-old Heifers. 

Third prize at Blandford for Y'earling Heifer. 

Second prize at Sherbourne for Dairy Cow. 

First prize at Sherbourne for Pair Two-year-old 
Heifers. 

First prize at Sturminster for Dairy Cow and Off- 
spring. 

First prize at Sturminster for Dairy Cow. 

First prize at Sturminster for Two-year-old Heifers 



1881 First prize at Sturminster for Pair One-year-old 

Heifers. 

1S,S2 First prize at Dorchester tor Bull. 

1.S83 First prize at Dorchester for Dairy Cow. 

1S82 First prize at Dorchester for Two-year-old Heifers. 

1.SS2 First prize at Sherbourne for Dairy Cow. 

1882 Second prize at Sherbourne for Cow. 

1882 First prize at Sherbourne for Pair Two-year-old 

Heifers. 

1882 Second prize at Sherbourne for Bull. 

1882 First prize at Y'eovil for Pair Two-year-old Heifers. 

1882 Second prize at Yeovil for Bull. 

1882 Second prize at Yeovil for Yearling Bull. 

1882 Second prize at Y'eovil for Cow and Offspring. 

1882 First prize at Sturminster for Y'earling Bull. 

1882 First prize at Sturminster for Pair Two-year-old 

Heifers. 

1882 Second prize at Sturminster for Cow and Offspring. 

1882 Second prize at Sturminster for Fat Cow. 

1883 First prize at Sherbourne for Three Dairy Cows. 
1883 First prize at Sherbourne for Bull over 2 years. 
1883 Second prize at Sherbourne for Bull under 2 years. 

BULLS THAT HAVE BEEN IN SERVICE AT MAPPOW- 
DER FROM 1837 TO 1884. 

1836 Bot, son of Old Sovereign, bred by .Mr. Turner, The 
Noke. 
Goldflnder. bred by Mr. Turner, of Westhide. 
1839 Young Cotmore. bred by E. Jeffries, ot The Grove. 

Y'oung Sovereign, bred by Mr. Turner, of The Noke; 
dam Countess Cow. 
1846 Wallace, bred by Mr. Turner, of The Noke. 
1S77 Bertram, bred by Mr. Turner, of The Noke. 

Chance, bred by Mr. Stephens, of Sheephouse: dam 

from a cow purchased at Mr. Jeffries' sale. 
Valentine, bred by Mr. Stedman, Bedstone Hall. 
18.57 Statesman (1744), bred by Mr. E. Price, Court House. 




vs 




ISSl 


Two-year- 


old 


1879 


Two-year- 


old 





DICTATOR 1989. 
Bred by T. L. Miller, Beecher, 111. 



1859 Happy Lad (2561). bred by Mr. E. Price, Court House. 

Sampson (2208), bred by T. Rea, Westonbury. 

Dundee (30801, bred by Mr. Tudge, of Adfortoo. 
1869 Leopold (3912). bred by J. W. James. 

Prince Chance, bred by T. Rogers, of Coxall. 

1875 Taurus, bred by Mr. Tudge, of Adforton; sire Game- 

ster (4594). 

1876 Baron Munchausen (.5207), bred by T. Myddleton. 

Llynaven, Clun, Salop. 
Chance, bred by J. W. James. 
Wonder (3602), bred by T. Rogers. 
Baron the 5th (5735). bred by J. W. James. 
Northern Light, bred by Mr. Lester, Cefn Ila. Usk, 

Monmouth. 
Lord George, bred by J. W. James. Not entered in 

Herd Book. 



.\t Shorboiirnt', Eii^srland, at the Agricultural 
Soci(_^tv"s Sliow held in 1S8.3, Mr. James, Map- 
powder Court. Blandford, was very successful 
in showing Herefords against Shorthorns as 
dairy cattle, taking first and second prizes for 
IleiX'fords, with a first for three dairv cows, of 



382 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



which one took the first prize in the cow class at 
Sherbourne the j^receding year, and the other a 
first prize as a lieifer. 

From the foregoing account it will be seen 
that Mr. James and his father before him had 
a dairy of eighty Herefords for a half century, 
that were successful beyond" ordinary dairy 
herds, for the purpose for whicli they were 
used. 

The "JIark Lane Express" of May •24th,1880, 
says : "A correspondent writing from the Vale 
of Blackmore in Dorsetshire states that he finds 
Hereford cattle the better in that district than 
any other breed, both for dairy purposes and 
for beef, and keep themselves in better order, 
with the same amount of food and under the 
same conditions of life. They are not such 
large milkers as some other breeds, but their 
milk is richer than that of the Shorthorns." 

In a paper on "Pedigree Cattle in Dairy 
Herds," by Mr. Joseph Darby, in Vol. 15, third 
series of the Journal of the Bath and West of 
England Agricultural Society, the following 
testimony is given to the values of the Hero- 
ford cross-bred cow as a milker. 

"The Hereford has never been considered 
much of a dairy animal, yet strange to state, 
when allied to the Shorthorn, the effect causes 
latent lacteal fertility of the breed to spring 
at once into full develo])ment. Probably this 
fact has not been stated so authoritatively be- 
fore, but those who doubt mav be referred to 
Mr. E. C. Tisdale, Wolland Park Dairy, Ken- 
sington, and it will be found that two or three 



of his very best cows are of this variety. In 
fact, the one styled therein 'Old Hereford' 
yielded twenty-three quarts per day in the first 
month, and twenty-two quarts in the second and 
third, going on in profit for eleven months, and 
averaging for the whole of that period fifteen 
quarts per day. There is not one in the entire 
list that affords anything like such a record as 
this, but another Hereford-Shorthorn, styled 
'Comalis,' averaged l-l.Gl quarts per day for 
19 months. Facts like these cannot be brought 
too prominently before the public eye." 

It does not appear how these cows were bred ; 
whether by Hereford bulls out of Shorthorn 
cows or by Shorthorn bulls out of Hereford 
cows. But the facts, as stated, show the value 
of the Hereford blood in a cross with the Short- 
horn for the dairy, because none of Mi\ Tis- 
dale's pure-bred Shorthorns were sucli good 
milkers as these crosses, whatever they may 
have been — Hereford-Shorthorns, or Short- 
horn-Herefords. It is quite certain that the 
cross of the Hereford bull on the Shortliorn 
cow will produce a better grazing animal than 
the pure-bred Shorthorn, and tlie facts given 
above show that cross-bred Herefords have 
beaten pure-bred Shorthorns — to put it only in 
that way — in one of the most noted herds of 
dairy cattle which England can show. This 
shows that what we have constantly advocated 
is absolutely correct, namely, that where there 
is sufficient keep, the Hereford bull on the top 
will produce the most useful cattle to meet gen- 
eral requirements all over the world. 




WABASH, PURB-BRKD STEER. 
Champion 2-year-olil at Chicago. 1S82. Weight 1940 lbs. 



H I S T R Y F HEREFORD CATTLE 



383 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

Herefords in Australia, New Zealand, South America, West 
Indies, and Jamaica 



The Ilorrfonl cattle have been successful in 
all the countries to which they have been taken. 
Tlu'ir history in other countries than ours 
|)roves their value as beef animals and their 
hardiness and strong constitution, their worth 
as grazing l)easts. 

We quote the following from the ''Mark Lane 
Express," 1880: 

"Reports are continually coming to hand 
relative to the success of the Hereford breed of 
cattle in various parts of the United States, and 
they do equally well in the Australian colonies. 
In an excellent rei)ort on the live stock of the 
colony of New South Wales, Mr. Alexander 
Bruce wrote as follows in 1876 : 'The Here- 
fords have proven themselves in Australia to 
be an excellent race of cattle, with distinctiv(! 
type, characteristics and form, thoroughly es- 
tablished, and capable of being transmitted to 
any other race with which they may be inter- 
bred. They are principally located in the north 
of Sydney, in the eastern and northeastern por- 
tions of the colony. The effect of the introduc- 
tion of Hereford blood into our herds has so 
far been satisfactory, and if, a constant supply 
of pure bulls of this breed is kept up, in the 
herds in which it has been tried, still further 
good results may be expected, as the Herefords 
are hardier, more active and carry heavier- and 
lliicker coats than the Shorthorns. They are 
better suited than the Shorthorns for inferior 
pasturage and outlying runs, and they stand the 
read and winter better. A good many owners 
are now breeding from Herefords, and it is to 
be expected that they will eventually displace 
the Shortliorns on the lighter soils and colder 
country, and on the more distant runs.' 

"This is precisely the same sort of testimony 
we see almost daily in the United Slates press; 
and from occasional notices in (Jueensiand and 
New South Wales papers we find that tile Here- 
fords are found to be better 'wrestlers' as well 
as 1)etter beef makers in Australia as well as in 
the United States." 



We give the following extract from a letter 
of a friend in Australia : "1 am glad to see tliat 
you still stick up for the 'white faces." I have 
token the 'Hereford Times" about 45 years, 
and I see that you are a 'thorn' in the sides of 
the Shorthorn breeders. I am glad to find that 
you are succeeding so well in America with the 
Herefords. It seems to me from the reports 
that you are pushing the Shorthorns off the 
ground. I wish I could say the same here, but 
1 am sorry to say that that cursed thing called 
fashion takes the lead in everything. The 
Shorthorn is the most aristocratic, as most of 
the noblemen of England breed them. The rich 
colonists here follow- their example. Now that 
the ports are thrown ojjcn, some of these rich 
men have gone to England and purchased numy 
of the best Shorthorns they could find. I be- 
lieve it is nothing but pride, to show the Eng- 
lish noblemen the depth of their purses. One 
gentleman in this colony has bought about '20 
head, which are now in quarantine. He breeds 
Herefords as well as Siiortliorns. He bought 
his Herefords from me and told me he could 
keep three Herefords where he could kee]i two 
Shorthorns, but he must 'follow the fashion of 
the nobles." 

"I do not think I have written you since I 
was at Sydney last April twelvemonth. I was 
there judging the Herefords. There were some 
first-class Herefords there. I intended to have 
show'n a pair of heifers at the Sydney exhibition, 
Init the breeders were determined to hold their 
show in April. My heifers w'ere too young to 
show for a prize. I offered £5 5s. for the best 
pair of heifers of any breed under "2-1 months 
old. I am very sorry that I could not go to see 
the show. I gave the prize on purpose to put 
the Herefords against the Shorthorns, and am 
lia])py to tell you tjiat the Herefords were vic- 
torious. There was but one pair of Herefords 
against all the Shorthorns. The white-faces 
were so good that there was no comparison. 
The Shorthorns had not a chance with them. 



384 



HISTOKY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



The Hercfords were shown by Mr. Frank 
Eeynokls, of TocaL He is the leading breeder 
of Herefords and Devons in New South Wales. 
He will be able to give you every item of in- 
formation about them, as I could not. I sold 
a bull and three heifers to go to West Aus- 
tralia; the same person had one bull from me 
two years since; he turned out so well that he 
came all the way — 1,500 miles by sea — for 
more. They are the first Herefords sent to 
West Australia; they all arrived safe, and are 
in capital hands; they will be well done by. I 




ARCHIBALD (6290) 11129. 

Bred by A. Rogers. Herefordshire. Weight 3,000 lbs. (From 

a painting.) 

allowed him to take some of the best I had, so 
that they should have every chance to make a 
good start. 

"I must now tell you how my little herd is 
getting on. I have the vanity to think that I 
have as nice a herd as I ever saw on one farm. 
It consists of about 200 head, all so near alike 
that it is difficult to know one from the other. 
I can and do make double off my beef to what 
any breeder in the colony does, as I make as 
much off my two-yea r-and-a-half old steers as 
any of them make off their five and six-year 
ol(3s. G. Price." 

We find the following in the "Queenslander," 
Australia. It will be seen that Australia has 
good Herefords, but the feature of greatest in- 
terest is that Lady Claire 4116, the dam of 
Lord Wilton, at 16 years of age, should make 
a trip from N"ew Zealand to Queensland. There 
is no doubt but what some of the best of the 
Hereford lireed of cattle have gone from Eng- 
land to Australia, and there is no doubt but 
that they will take an active part in the pres- 
ent effort to improve cattle in that country. 

"Messrs. McConnel & Wood's recently im- 
ported Herefords from New Zealand deserve 



more than a passing notice, inasmuch as they 
include some of the highest class of Herefords 
ever landed on these shores. The draft con- 
tains a cow now become celebrated throughout 
all parts of the civilized world where the Here- 
ford breed is known. This cow is Lady Claire 
(Vol. 9, p. 336), the mother of the celebrated 
Lord Wilton (4740) 4057. (T[ 257)- This bull 
is recognized throughout England and Amer- 
ica as the best living representative of the Here- 
ford breed of cattle, being alike unapproach- 
able as a show animal and as a stock-getter, 
no bull of any breed having begotten so many 
])rize-takers. Lady Claire was purchased by 
^Ir. Stuckey, of New Zealand, before the im- 
mense value of Lord Wilton as a sire had* been 
fully appreciated. Otherwise she never would 
have been allowed to leave England. She is 
by Jlarmion, bred by Mr. Tudge, her dam be- 
ing Lady Adforton, by Pilot, by The Grove. 
She is in calf to Chippendale (6865), a bull 
of equally valuable strains. Chippendale — now 
in New Zealand — is by Lord Wilton, dam Judy 
(Vol. 11, p. 157) 14419. He also was a most 
successful show-yard bull, and his value as 
sire is known by the fact that after Mr. Stuckey 
had purchaseci him he was offered £500 
($2,500) on his bargain by an American buyer. 
His stock have realized long prices in England. 
Chippendale is the first of Lord Wilton's stock 
that have come to the southern hemisphere. 

"Another of the importations is Duke of 
Chippendale, a 17-months-old son of Chippen- 
dale, from Amethyst (Vol. 9, p. 216), a cele- 
brated cow of P. Turner, The Leen. This bull 
contains eight strains of the celebrated Sir Ben- 
jamin. Mr. Stout, another young bull selected 
by Mr. Wood in New Zealand, is also by Chip- 
pendale, and of the Amethyst trilte. The twins 
Castor and Pollux, nine months old, are by 
George 4th, by Coomassie, their dam Charity 
2(1, being by Horace 3d (5386), by the cele- 
brated Horace (3877) 2492. We 'learn that 
Mr. Wood purchased four more Chippendale 
calves not yet old enough to wean. This addi- 
tion to the Durundur herd is a most wonderful 
one, and had our ports been open for the im- 
portation of English stock the enterprising 
owners could not have selected in England an 
equal number possessing more valuable or more 
fashionable strains of blood." 

HEREFORDS THE BEST CATTLE. 

A correspondent of the "Queenslander," Mr. 
Reginald Wyntham, writing from Leeksfield, 
says : 

"I have sold scores of Hereford bulls myself 
for use in Shorthorn herds, and hope to sell 



H I S 'I' () R Y OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



385 



many more. A hiiyur caiiic to me only a few 
days ago wantint; Hereford IjuIIh for his Short- 
horn eows, his Shorthorn hulls having all died 
during the late drouth, and 1 ventured to say 
that there were few eattle hreeders who have 
not seen and admired the first eross between 
the pure Hereford hull and Shorthorn cow. As 
Australia is the finest cattle country in the 
world. ]iarticularly the (Queensland portion of 
it. and as the day must come, sooner or later, 
when they will he worth double what they now 
sell at, we shall do well to consider the merits 
of all the different breeds, that the more suit- 
able breeds Hiay be kept on the different classes 
of country. In a drouth it is a fact — and a 
well known fact, too — that Shorthorns will die 
long Ix'fore Herefords and Devons, or, I be- 
lieve, any other breed. New Zealand, I should 
say, is better adapted for the Shorthorn, where 
an acre of land will provide him with suflReient 
grass and water, and where he will not have 
to travel a great distance to market ; but in 
Queensland, on very many rujis, the Herefords 
or Devons sliould be kept." 

HEREFORD CATTLE IX AUSTRALIA. 

Referring to tlu; assertion of a writer, that 
Hereford cattle grew wild when turned on 
ranges in New Zealand, Mt. A. J. MeConnel, 
of Queensland, in a cj)ntribution to the "Ijive 
Stock Journal," Ijondon, says: "With regard 
to the Hereford eattle of New Zealand, I wish 
to say that all 1 have seen were extremely quiet 
and docile, and could not, by any stretch of im- 
agination, be saiil to have any inclination to 
wildness or even unsteadiness, and I have heard 
enough of their ways to convince me that the 
ferine Hereford cattle, of which Proteus writes, 
must be the result of some terrible neglect. 
With respect to the Hereford cattle of Australia 
I must ask you to receive a novel writer's state- 
ment with great reserve. It is really not worth 
alluding to, for the paragraph in which the 
author writes of the unsteadiness of the Here- 
ford cattle was merely a repetition of the usual 
talk on cattle stations in years past, when this 
particular trait of wildness was insisted upon 
by men who had never seen a well-bred Here- 
ford herd. I have the author's authority to 
say that his only experience, in a large way, of 
Hereford cattle was with a neglec-ted herd 
where some white-faced bulls had been used. 
These by no means i-ould be called pure, and 
that after a short period of careful manage- 
ment this particular herd was quieter than the 
herds on any neighboring properties. I should 
like to add a few words about my own experi- 



ence. On the projierty with which I am con- 
nected Hereford cattle have been bred since 
18f)5 in mountainous and broken country, and 
care was taken at the start to get the best pure- 
bred bulls obtainable in New South Wales, 
where Herefords had been bred from imported 
stock since 18"i5. Before we commenced with 
Herefords we had a very quiet and highly bred 
Shorthorn herd. We made the change because 
we were of the opinion that the Herefords were 
better grazing cattle and more profitable alto- 
gether, and the event has proved that we were 
right. But the point I wish to make clear is, 
that the very quiet and tractable herd of 7,000 
Shorthorn cattle has been succeeded by a herd 
more tractable still of Hereford cattle. The 
same care and the same treatment was shown 
to the cattle in both instances. There can be 
no doubt that a Hereford is more agile in his 
movements than any breed except the Devon. 
That I concede readily, and I hold it to be one 
of his excellencies, for it enables a grazing 
Hereford in Australia to range about for food 
in times of scarcity, and do well, when a softer 
breed gives up the struggle for existence. I 
suspect the truth to be that when we hear of 
an inclination to wildness on the part of any 
cattle of any breed, if we knew the circum- 
stances, they would show that neglect of owners 
and a want of knowledge in working numbers of 
cattle together on the runs is at the bottom of 




FISHERMAN (5913) 76239. 
Bred by T. Rogers, Herefordshire. 

this inclination to wildness. I affirm that the 
Hereford is not more prone to ferine habits in 
Australia than any other breed. I have seen 
neglected Shorthorn cattle as wild as it is pos- 
sible for cattle to be — in fact, they were use- 
less, for they could not be got when wanted." 

A CHALLENGE. 

"To the Editor of the 'Quceiislander' : 

"Much has been written and published in your 
columns during the past two years of the 



386 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



merits and demerits of the different breeds of 
cattle. The majority of the writers are gentle- 
men engaged in breeding Hereford cattle for 
stud purposes, some of whom have had very 
little experience with the cattle they were (to 
use a colonial phrase) 'cracking up,' as they 
had. to my knowledge, been engaged in their 
production only a few years. The object with 
all Hereford advocates, clearly, has been to 
prove that their cattle will subsist and make 




TARQUIN (127171. 

Bred by P. Turner. Herefordshire, first prize yearling 

bull R. A. S. E.. 1S87. 

condition on poorer pastures than Durhains; 
that they were of sounder constitution, and 
hence better able to withstand the effects of a 
long drouth than Sburthorn cattle. Well, it 
seems to me, Mr. Editor, that all the correspond- 
ents possible will never lead the public, for 
whose benefit you permit the ventilation of the 
subject in your columns, to a just conclusion, 
for gentlemen who have invested a consider- 
able capital in Hereford cattle, with a view to 
making a profit by the disposal of their male 
calves as young bulls to their neighbors, are 
quite sure to do vigorous battle against other 
breeds, but I am of the opinion that sound, 
practical tests afford the best proofs of all. 

"Let the Herefords and Durhams be brought 
into competition, under exactly similar con- 
ditions, and the results made public, and the 
question of which is the best breed for our 
climate and pasture will quickly be settled. We 
have had one such test, the result of a challenge 
I issued through your paper, and I will now, 
with your permission, issue another challenge, 
as we have now unfortunately a most favorable 
opportunity of proving which breed has come 
through the drouth the best. I have a lot of 
pure-bred Durham cattle here in a paddock that 
is stocked at the rate of a beast to six acres. 
Aboixt 150 of these are breeding cows, and I 



would show any number of them, not being less 
than 15 per cent, of the whole, for condition 
against a like proportion of Herefords, not be- 
ing less than ten head, to be selected from any 
one herd in Leechhard district that has been 
sustained by the natural pastures for at least 
two j'ears. The only conditions I impose are 
the cows competing must be four years of age 
or over and breeders, the test to take place 
within two months. 

"W. K. Pebekdy. 
"Gellenbah, 22d Jan'y, 1881." 

THE CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. 

"To the Editor of the 'Queenslander' : 

"I have to-day seen W. K. Peberdy's chal- 
lenge of the 22d of January. If I read it aright 
it is merely a question as to which breed of 
cattle show the best condition after the late 
drought. I will therefore take to Rockhampton 
twenty Hereford cows that are four years, with 
t lieir twenty suckling calves by their sides, and 
show them against W. K. Peberdy's twenty 
Shorthorns with their twenty calves. They shall 
he there before tlie 22d of March, on a date 
to be named by W. K. Peberdy, the best con- 
ditioned cows to win the prize, which I propose 
to be a ten-guinea cup, such as I gave at the last 
show, and the loser also to give ten guineas to 
the hospital. 

"I am glad to see Mr. Peberdy so very philan- 
thropic as to breed Shorthorns for other pur- 
poses than for sale and to make money. LTn- 
fortunately I and Archer Rignall Windom and 
Frank Reynolds and Loder are compelled to 
breed for the dirty dollars. Of course the cat- 
tle shown arc to be pure breds, out of the two 
stud herds. I name Albert Wright of Nullal- 
bin as judge on our side, and I recommend one 
of these three gentlemen as umpire, namely, 
Vincent Dowling, John Button, or James Ross. 
"I am sir, etc., 

"Beardmore of Tooloombar. 
"22d of Feb'y, 1881." 

THE HEREFORD-SHORTHORN CONTROVERSY THAT 
FOLLOWED. 

The acceptance of this challenge, it was sup- 
posed, would result in a trial that would be 
valuable to the Hereford interest in that coun- 
trv. 

TTnder date of 13th of March, Mr. Peberdy 
replies to this and objects to showing calves 
with the cows, and that the distance to Rock- 
hamjiton was some 80 miles further for him to 
travel than for Mr. Beardmore, and then pro- 
poses to issue another challenge to ilr. Beard- 
more, privately, through his agent at Rock- 



HISTORY OF HEKEFOifD CATTLE 



387 



haiii])ton. Tlie socoiul challengi' by Mr. Peberdy 
is as follows : 

"To (k'fiiiitt'ly settli" wliit-h is the best breed 
of lattlc for tbe central districts of Queens- 
laiul, Ilerefords or Durhains, 1 now issue the 
following challenge to Mr. 0. C. I. Beardinore, 
he having written viciously against Durham 
cattle and warmly in praise of Herefords. 

"The conditions of the challenge are as fol- 
lows : 

••1st. The cattle e.xhibited by Mr. Beard- 
more shall be pure Herefords, and the cattle 
c-xliibited by me shall be pure Durhams. 

'■•.M. Tlu' definition of the word 'pure/ as 
applied to the different breeds or pens of cattle 
exhibited, shall be taken to mean that the cattle 
exhibited as Herefords shall have no admix- 
ture of Durham or Devon blood in their veins; 
that the cattle exhibited as Durhams shall have 
no admixture of Hereford or Devon blood in 
their veins. Should either pen contain one or 
more beast that, in the opinion of the judges or 
umpire, is not 'jnire,' then the pen shall be con- 
denuu'd, and the opposing pen be awarded the 
prize. 

'•:id. That judgment shall be given on differ- 
ent points of merit and awarded by points as 
follows : 

"Condition of cows, ten points. 

"Best cattle for pastoral purposes generally, 
ten points. 

"Aggregate weight of pen, five points. 

"Greatest yield of milk, five points. 

"4th. That the judges be requested to make 
their award on the merits of the pens placed 
before them by the exhibitors, independent of 
any prejudice they may have against either 
breed. 

"•5th. The cows exhibited shall be in full 
milk, but it shall be optional with exhibitor 
whether he pens the cows' calves. 

"(ith. Should the judges desire it, the whole 
of the cows shall be milked in their presence. 
after being fourteen hours apart from their 
calves, to flecide their qualities as milkers. 

"Tth. Should the points bo awarded in equal 
number to each breed, then the umpire and 
judges shall examine the cattle again as one 
body, and shall, having taken into considera- 
tion the points of the contest, decide which is 
the best pen of cattle on the whole, and award 
accordingly bv majority. 

"Should ^Ir. Beardmore be disposed to ac- 
c('j)t tbe above challenge as it is given, T will 
meet him in TJockham|)ton with ten cows of 
mine to compete with ten cows of his for a pieee 
of plate to be selected by the victor, of the 
value of $100, at any time he may please be- 



tween now and the date of the P. A. and H. 
show in the above-named place, or during the 
week that show is held. It is, perhaps, better 
that ilr. Beardmore shoidd understand that 
I will not travel my cows that are rearing calves 
150 miles to meet him, but if he accepts the 
.challenge, I will truck them down. I omitted 
to add that the cattle exhibited by either party 
shall have been his property for, say, six 
months prior to the issue of this chal- 
lenge. I am quite willing to accept Mr. A. 
Wright as judge on Mr. Beardmore's side, and 
will also accept either Mr. Vincent Dowling or 
Mr. James Ross as umpire; and will appoint 
either Mr. Cunningham, of Rannes Station ; 
Mr. Wood, of Calliangal, or Mr. Lamond, of 
Stanwell, as judge on my side. I shall not 
consider myself bound by this challenge unless 
I receive notice of its acceptance fourteen days 
before the date fixed for the contest. I may 
add, I make condition a leading point to suit 
,Mr. Beardmore ; I also make weight a minor 
point, so that it may tell against myself, and 
destroy any objection he might otherwise have 
to the condition. 

"(Signed) W. K. Pebekdy." 

To which Mr. Beardmore makes the follow- 
ing reply : 

''To the Editor of the 'Qiieenslander': 

"Sir: I have to-day received a copy of a sec- 
ond challenge from Peberdy on the subject of 
Herefords vs. Durham cattle. In your issue of 
the 9th of February Peberdy issued a challenge 
which I accepted without alteration and left 
him to name the day. To that I adhere, and 
will do so two months longer ; after that, I shall 
have to wean my calves and not be in a position 
to produce twenty mothers with their progeny, 
and I now again call Mr. Peberdy to stick to 
his challenge as then issued or hand over two 
guineas to the hospital and then retire into 
obscurity. 

"With regard to his second challenge, my 
Herefords are not milkers, and therefore I 
could not compete for milkers. My Herefords 
are not broken in, and could not be put in a 
yard singly to be handled, and I have yet to 
learn how cows are to be in full milk and have 
no calves. Peberdy's words are : 'The whole 
of the cows to be milkers.' In his fifth clause 
calves are to be optional, in his sixth it is 
pretty evident there must be calves in the con- 
test. Again, Mr. Peberdy states tliat he can't 
drive his cattle 150 miles, but must truck them. 
Xow, all Hereford men have contended that 
Herefords are better travelers — this is one of 
the very points I took up — and Peberdy's de- 



388 



HISTOEY OF HEKEFORD CATTLE 



sire to avoid traveling his cattle clown, shows 
the weakness of his breed of Durhams. As he 
says he has 150 miles to travel to go to Eock- 
hampton while I have only 90 miles to go, I 
will travel my Herefords another 60 miles to 
make up tlie 150, and so give him no cause of 
complaint. Again, what does he mean by mak- 
ing 'condition" a leading point to suit Mr. 
Beardmorc. It is 'condition' and 'condition' 
only that he 'challenged on' in his letter of the 
9th of February. I look on Mr. Peberdy's chal- 




51252, 



Tfr "'f II iir» i 'if'i mi l 



ELTON 1ST (9S75) 11245. 

Bred by Earl & Stuart. Celebrated son of Sir Richard 2d 

(4984) 970A. 

lenge as a piece of 'blow' and nothing more, and 
that he has no intention of bringing things to 
a point. I am, sir, etc., 

"Beardmoee of Tooloombar." 
(There is no date to Mr. Beardmore's letter. — 
Ed. Q.) 

We have several- other letters pertaining to 
this controversy. We give but one of these, and 
that signed by John Fulford, of Lyndhurst, and 
dated the 21st of April, and which appeared in 
the "Queenslander" of May 10th : 

"To the Editor of the 'Queenslander' : 

"Sir: I note in Mr. AV. K. Peberdy's chal- 
lenge letter of 22d January a sneer at the lim- 
ited experience of some of the Queensland 
breeders of Herefords, who, he says, 'have been 
engaged in their production only a few years.' 
I do not know to whom he refers when he makes 
that statement, but he evidently loses sight of 
the fact that the majority of the Hereford 
breeders were breeders of Shorthorns before 
they commenced to ))reed Herefords, and there- 
fore can lay claim to a larger experience than 
men who have bred Shorthorns only, and should 
be in a better position to know whicli breed is 
most suitable to this country. All cattlemen 
know that no breed of cattle were more abused 



than Herefords were for many years in Aus- 
tralia and the fact of their coming into favor 
at all — considering how little capital has been 
invested in them, and how few have been im- 
ported, compared to the fortunes spent -in im- 
porting Shorthorn bulls and cows from Eng- 
land, and animals bred in the Colonies — speaks 
volumes to the mind of the unprejudiced per- 
son? However, it has not taken our American 
cousins many years to find out the superiority 
of the Hereford breed over Shorthorns under 
conditions almost identical with our own 
Queensland — namely, where the cattle have ex- 
isted on grass alone, as they do in Texas, Col- 
orado and other states, and where they are sub- 
ject to drought, cold and wet, and have to 
travel long distances to market, as most of the 
Australian cattle have to do. No one can say 
that Hereford cattle have as yet had a fair trial 
in Queensland, as putting a few white-faced 
l)ulls into a herd for a year or so, and then re- 
verting to Sliorthorn bulls is not giving them a 
trial at all, and with the exception of a few 
herds that is all the trial they have had. How- 
ever, I am told that Messrs. Archer, of Grace- 
mere, who, I think, were the oldest Ijreeders of 
pure Shorthorns in North Queensland, are 
using nothing but Hereford bulls in their gen- 
eral herd, and many others are following their 
example, I believe, in the neighborhood of Eock- 
hanipton ; and I know of several stations fur- 
ther north that are doing the same. Mr. Peb- 
crdy says that correspondence on the subject 
should come from proprietors of fattening pad- 
docks, drovers and butchers, and not from the 
breeders; but I think if we had to w'ait for 
their views (in print) on the subject we should 
not be enlightened very soon. But I can give 
one instance of the estimation Hereford cattle 
are held in, by one practical man, who, I believe, 
fattens largely, by referring to an advertisement 
in the 'Queenslander,' signed J. M'Connel (of 
Durundur, Brisbane Eiver), a short time since, 
wanting to purchase a thousand Hereford store 
bullocks. He, too, is an old breeder of Short- 
horns, yet he evidently prefers Herefords for 
fattening on his country. Mr. Peberdy evi- 
dently thinks his challenge to the few Hereford 
breeders of the Leechard district is, as he terms 
it. 'a true invasion of the Hereford strong- 
hold,' while to me it appears as a very cheap 
means of letting the public know that he has a 
certain number of pure Shorthorn cows, bred in 
South Wales, for which he paid large sums of 
money : and it might be some of those identical 
cows, that proliably liad the advantage of Eng- 
lish grasses and hand-feeding (and in conse- 
(]uence may be well-grown, heavy cows), that he 



niSTOKY OF HEREFOKD CATTLE 



389 



wisln'S to !;h()\v against the IkTefords in liis dis- 
trict, and liis country may be (and proi)al)ly is) 
very iJupcrior to tlio country the Hcrofords are 
pastured on. 1 iuive no desire to write against 
Shortiiorn cattle or their breeders, as they are 
a lireed of cattle I hold in high estimation, when 
in their pnijier place, and that, 1 take to be, 
is where English grasses al)ound in summer, and 
where plenty of fodder is available in winter, 
and the few favored parts of this great colony of 
Queensland where there are no frosts, and the 
bestdescriptionsof natural grasses and fattening 
shrubs and herbage; and, as the despised Here- 
ford has not had a fair trial under the latter 
conditions, 1 claim that no one can say that the 
breed is not quite equal, or superior, to the 
Shorthorns for any part of Queensland. I will 
now assert what I can prove to be the fact — 
that we lost far less cattle on this run during 
the late drought than any of our neighbors 
within a radius of 100 miles, who have herds of, 
say, 5,000 head or over on one run, and I may 
state that we have the largest herd in this dis- 
trict (on one run) — namely, about 20,000 head 
— in fact, the usual 5 per cent allowed annually 
for losses for the past twelve months. 

"I am. sir, etc., John Fulford. 

"Lyndhurst, 21st April." 

(Mr. Fulford begged hard to be allowed to 
say one word more on this subject, and our reso- 
lution gave way. It must not be supposed, how- 
ever, that we have reopened our columns for a 
continuance of the controversy. — Ed. Q.) 

We also give the "Queenslander's" report of 
a Charters Towers Show. It will be noticed that 
this Hereford question has become fully as in- 
teresting in Australia as in America, and the 
di.scussion is likely in the end to bring that 
breed which has the greater merit to the front. 

"Unlike the Xational Shows, the cattle are 
here displayed in all their native simplicity, all 
purely grass fed. and exhibited in yards. Al- 
though few beyond Jlr. Parr's laid claim to 
jnirity of blood, they were, with very few excep- 
tions, when looked at from a general standpoint, 
a magnificent collection. The bulls were few 
in number, and far from first-class, a passable 
animal, originally from the ilount Noorat herd, 
A'ictoria. being awarded principal honors; and 
Mr. Ilann showed a promising Sir Roderick 
calf. Owners, no doubt, were unwilling to risk 
bringing valuable bulls from a distance. The 
bullocks, cows and heifers, however, more than 
made up for the deficiency in the hull classes. 

''The princi])al exhibitors were Messrs. Mur- 
ray-Prior, of Bulli Creek; Fulford (Messrs. 
Barnes and Smith), Lyndhurst; Ilann, Van- 



neck; J. and W. 1). Clark (Momxhau), Lol- 
worth; Glissan, Dottswood; B. C. Parr, New- 
stead ; and AUingham, Hill Grove. It was well 
known throughout the Xorth, thanks to the ex- 
tensive circulation of the 'Queenslander,' that 
this show was to be the scene of a grand tilt 
between the 'Ballys' (Herefords), and the red, 
white, and roans (Shorthorns), and the interest 
of this great contest never flagged from the 
time the cattle entered the show grounds until 
their carcasses were displayed in the butcher's 
shop. It may be safely asserted, that as much 
money was depending on the butcher's scales, 
in this contest, as is usually risked upon an or- 
dinary cup race. 

"In the Shorthorn division, Mr. Parr's blood 
told in the heifer class — 13 entries — Mr. Van- 
nock securing second. Mr. Parr also carried off 
the 100-guinea prize with a pen of three highly 
bred heifers, which were, however, in very low 
condition in consetpience of the drought. 
Messrs. Clark, of Lolworth, secured the prize 
for the best cow bred north of Rockhampton, 
and the championship of the yard, with a grand 
roan cow of beautiful shape, and showing lots 
of quality. 

"In Herefords, Messrs. Barnes and Smith 
(Mr. Fulford) had matters entirely their own 
way. Their pen of three fat bullocks, entered 

to do battle with the _ 

Shorthorns, and a 
pen of six bullocks, 
were as near perfec- 
tion as can well be 
imagined of purely 
grass-fed cattle. 

"Up to this point 
all had been plain 
sailing with the 
judges, each partieu- 
1 a r breed having 
been judged within 
itself. On entering 
on the miscellane- 
ous division, how- 
ever, cattle of 'any 
breed' came into 
competition, and the work of the judges, 
therefore, became much more difficult. For the 
best pen of three heifers in this division, there 
was an exceedingly good class, the judges com- 
mending the whole class. Three Herefords 
here secured a victory, Mr. Fulford's pen hav- 
ing been placed first, Mr. Parr's second, 
and Mr. Monahan's (Lolworth) third. Then 
came the great contest of the meeting, the best 
pen of three bullocks, number brand — that is, 
four-year-olds — and although Messrs. Clark, 




390 



H I S T K Y OF H E B E F R D CATTLE 



Vanneck, and Glissan entered, it was clearly 
seen from the first that only Mr. Murray-Prior's 
Shorthorns and Mr. Fulford's Herefords were 
in the race. Mr. Prior's three were beautifully 
matched, pure white, massive, and well topped 
up. Mr. Fulford's were well selected. These 
were judged on Thursday morning, and the 
whites awarded the coveted prize. They were 
slaughtered on Friday morning in the presence 
of a large concourse of breeders and the shop 
(Harvey's) in which they were hung up Was 
for a time besieged with persons eager to obtain 
results. 

"The weights were as follows : Prior's, 1,003 
lbs., 982 lbs., and 1,020 lbs., a total of 3,005 
lbs., giving an aver- 
age of 1,001.66 lbs. ; 
Fulford's, 1,024 lbs., 
996 lbs., and 933 
lbs., a total of 2,953 
lbs., giving an aver- 
age of 984.33 lbs. 
Mr. Prior, therefore, 
won by an aggre- 
gate of 52 lbs., and 
an average of 17.33 
ll)s. The plucky 
owners, however, 
were not content to 
accept this as a final 
decision between the 
two rival herds, but 
arranged a meeting 
on the same show 
grounds next year with Xo. cattle, which will 
be then 5-year-olds. It is but justice to Mr. 
Fulford to state that his cattle had been driven 
240 miles to the show, being 100 miles in excess 
of the distance traveled by Mr. Prior's, and 
that they were got together on the 1st, 2d, and 
3d of May. For the champion prize, for the 
best fat bullock on the grounds, any age or 
breed, Mr. Fulford was first, with a splendid 
cross-bred animal, which on being slaughtered 
weighed 1,079 lbs. 

"The "above weights [all dead weights, T. L. 
M.] were considered really good, considering 
the severity of the season, and they point to 
the Kennedy as being one of the best cattle dis- 
tricts in Australia. There were only two ex- 
hibitors of Devons — Messrs. Hann and Farren- 
den. These exhibits, however, showed evident 
signs of Shorthorn origin, Mr. Hann's showing 
most of the Devon characteristics." 

The battle of the breeds has come in Aus- 
tralia, as well as in America. The above ac- 
count of the Charter's Towers Show shows the 
Herefords first on the best pen of three heifers. 




E. E. ESSON, 
Peotone. Ill 



and the champion prize for best fat bullock in 
the show, the Shorthorns taking first in the 
best three bullocks, showing an aggregate of 
52 pounds greater weight in the three carcasses. 
The Shorthorns were driven 140 miles, and the 
Herefords 240 miles to the show. 

In response to a letter from the author, we 
received the following from an Australian cor- 
respondent : 

"Editor 'Breeders' Journal': I am in re- 
ceipt of your favor dated Dec. 10th, and also 
the six copies of your journal, which you so 
kindly forwarded; you may rest assured that 
I will do my best to get the 'Journal' a large 
circulation in Australia. I never lose an op- 
portunity, when cattlemen are about, of show- 
ing your paper, and numbers have promised to 
write for it, having given them your address. 

"1 am extremely glad to see the forward 
movement of the Herefords in America. Xovv 
that they have got a start, and such a -start. 
nothing can stop their onward progress. Their 
good qualities alone would send them to the 
front as beef producers. Our herd has been 
established over forty years, and every year 
makes me love them more, and, I am happy to 
say, every year is a blow to prejudice and an 
advance to the Herefords. I think in the course 
of time they will occupy the first rank in Aus- 
tralia. It is a great drawback to Australia, 
the total prohibition of stock from England, 
and I am sorry to say that the cattle trade in 
Australia has been very bad for some years, 
prices ruling very low, and now many parts of 
the country are suffering from a severe drought, 
wjiicli will test the Shorthorn hardiness. 

''Wluit price do you charge for your best stud 
bull.*, and could arrangements be made to ship 
at San Francisco, and what would be the prob- 
able cost of so doing? They have admitted 
sheep from America and I do not see how they 
can prevent cattle from coming. However, I 
will inquire. I will be glad to send you some 
information about cattle when I can find time, 
and opportunity occurs, and I enclose you a 
copy of a letter received from a large and 
wealthy squatter, who, being a practical man, 
makes his opinion doubly valuable. I would 
like to get from you, if possible, all the num- 
bers of your journal from the start, if you can 
lay your hands on a copy of each, and let me 
know the cost and the best way of remitting the 
money, so I can send it. 

"Would be glad if you had an agent here in 
this country. Continue my subscription. I start 
this week to New Zealand to recruit my health, 
and on my return in a couple of months T will 
communicate with you again, and it is possible 



HISTOHY OF IIEREFOKD CATTLE 



39] 



that next year I may be al)k' to run across ami 
see you. Yours very truly, 

"V. IiKV-NOLUS. 

"Tocal, Tatterson. New South Wales, Austra- 



'i'lic copy of the letter that Mr. K'eyiiolds re- 
fers to is as follows: 

"F. Reynolds — 'S\y Dear Sir: Press of work 
and ahseiu-e from home jjrevented my replying 
to yours of the (ith inst. 1 have been working 
Hereford cattle since 1859, and consider them 
better suited to the requirements of sipiatters 
on inland stations (ranches), especially those 
situated long distances from market. If in good 
))ad(locks of artificial grass, close to market, or 
stall fed, 1 consider Herefords quite equal to 
Shorthorns. They may not, jierhaps, be quite 
so heavy, but tlu'y fatten more rapidly and at 
less cost, and die better than the Durhams — 
namely, they cut up less waste, and the meat is 
certainly superior. There can be no doubt of 
the superiority of the Herefords on stations 
ri mote from market. They travel better and do 
not cut up. Being more active, they can do 
the long dry stages more easily. They are nat- 
urally more hardy, and after a long journey die 
better. Their meat is less livery, and they don't 
lose their inside fat like the Durhams. My 
old drover will tell you that if he had a Here- 
ford in his mob of fats, this beast always looked 
best at the end of a long journey. 

"On large stations where at any time the 
water is scarce, and stock compelled to travel 
long distances from the feed to the water and 
back again, the dilference between Herefords 
and Durhams is very nuirked, the Herefords 
traveling in good condition long after the Short- 
horns are ))oor. Again, after a long drought, 
the Herefords pull themselves together more 
quickly and get their condition in less time. 
I have heard men argue that Herefords are 
wilder than the Durhams and in nine cases out 
of ten T have found they knew nothing person- 
ally of the matter, never having had a herd of 
Herefords, but they had been told. My e.xperi- 
ence teaches me that if Herefords are properly 
looked after, they are actually much quieter in 
tlu' lots and q\iite as steady on the runs as the 
Durhams. I have worked both, and I also know 
from my own knowledge that a lU'glected band 
of Durhams is worse to deal with than Here- 
fords under the same conditions. I am, of 
course, speaking from actual e.xperience. 

"Xot long since, with my partners, I pur- 
chased three stations in Q\ieensland, all Dur- 
ham cattle, about 1(5,000. ^fy first active move 
was to remove the Durham bulls and substitute 



Hereford^. This will give you, better than a 
volume of writing, my opinion of the respective 
breeds after 23 years' work among both; and 
after a careful study, I have come to the conclu- 
sion that Herefords are the best and most prof- 
itable all-round cattle, less subject to disease, 
and better constitutions, quite as steady on the 
range and steady in the yard. They cross well 
with the Durhams and are better mothers. A 
Hereford cow will never leave her calf as long 
as a Durham. If you wish for a proof of the 
merits of the breeds, just put 100 of each breed 
into paddocks equally badly grassed — that is to 
say, in a dry time — and I will guarantee you 
will find the Durham fall away much more 
rapidly than the others ; in fact, the Herefords 
will be in fair condition when the Durhams are 
actually dying. Both lots, of course, are to be 
in equally good condition when put in the pad- 
docks. 

"In conclusion, I am quite certain if breeders 
would put aside prejudice and give Herefords 
a fair trial they would find all I have said true 
enough, and be content to drop the Durhams in 
the future. 

"You are at liberty to make any use you like 
of this letter. Yours very truly, 

"Vincent Dowling. 

"Lue, Rylestone, 

"N. S. W., Australia, 1882." 

A later letter shows the Hereford movement 
growing. 

Editor "Breeders' Journal" : The Sydney 
Show has just 
closed. The Here- 
fords were not in 
large force, b u t. 
were well repre- 
sented by drafts 
from the herds of 
Mr. Frank Rey- 
nolds , who had 
about a dozen very 
good ones. Y^our old 
friend, Mr. Chas. 
Price, was a judge 
at this show on 
Herefords, and 
bought a splendid 
bull calf bred bv 
Mr. Frank Rey- 
nolds. The .Here- 
fords are growing in popularity, and those who 
have been breeding for some years are greatly 
encouraged. 

The "Breeders' Journal" is fully appreciated 
by them, and they are very glad to hear through 
it of the great success the Herefords are mak- 
ing in America and England. They wish to 




J. H. McELDOWNEY. 
Chicago Heights, m. 



393 



HISTOKY OF HEEEFOED CATTLE 



establish an Australian Hereford Eecord, and 
will be glad if you will give them some facts 
and a plan for doing so. 

Mr. Frank Eeynolds and Mr. Chas. Price are 
Ijotli having a better demand for their young 
bulls than ever before. All that try Herefords 
are fully satisfied that they are the best cattle 
for our runs, and it looks as though "our time 
was coming." I shall endeavor to see that you 
have a largely increased subscription list from 
Australia. Yours respectfully, 

Queensland. 

Adelaide, Australia, Sept. 19, 1883. 

HEREFORDS CONSIDERED THE BEST IN AUSTRALIA. 

We find in the "South Australian Eegister" 
(1883), published at Adelaide, an account of a 
discussion as to beef 
breeds before the 
Eoyal Agricultural 
a n d Horticultural 
Society of South 
Australia. In tb.e 
discussion we find 
tlu' following 'from 
ilr. Chas. Price, of 
llindmarsh Island, 
who had been a 
liieeder of Hereford 
cattle for nearly or 
quite half a century, 
and had a herd of 
about 200 thor- 
oughbred H e r e - 
fords, bred for 
breeding purposes. 
Mr. P. said he had "had a good deal of experi- 
ence in the breeding and rearing of Herefords 
and Shorthorns and had given some careful at- 
tention to the relative qualities of the two 
breeds. The Polled Angus breed he had had 
nothing to do with. They were all agreed that 
the best beast was that which would produce the 
most and best beef on the smallest quantity of 
feed, and he held that the Hereford possessed 
these qualifications. It will live and thrive 
where the Shorthorn will not do at all. He has 
brought his Herefords out at two and one-half 
years and that could not be done with the 
Shorthorns. He had looked over his sales for 
the past ten years and found that his steers had 
averaged $G2..50, at two and one-half years. He 
found that Shorthorns would not 'average that 
or anything approaching to it. He was positive 
he could carry three Herefords where he could 
not carry two Shorthorns. He had one Here- 
ford cow that had produced fourteen calves be- 
fore she was fifteen years old, and would have 




J. GOKDOX Gimi, 



her fifteenth before she was sixteen years old, 
and was now fit for the butcher. He started 
with four Hereford heifers and bought some 
Shorthorns. He got a Hereford bull. A friend 
from Melbourne, named Saddler, who had been 
buying cattle, came to look at his cattle and 
told him that it was madness to try to breed 
such cross-b reds with a Hereford bull from those 
cows, and that he had better get a Shorthorn 
bull. From his experience he found that his 
Shorthorns lost flesh, that they only bred once 
in eighteen months, whereas the Herefords bred 
once in twelve. Last year when the rains were 
six weeks to two months late, the Shorthorns 
would have died where the Herefords looked 
well. He had no change for his cattle, and 
there was not one living on that dry feed that 
was not fit for the butcher. He considered the 
Hereford the best cross and worth all the cat- 
tle in the world for that. It might be put to 
a scrubber, and even then a good deep breed 
would be got. With the Shorthorns, long- 
legged, useless brutes were got. He had been 
at Sydney Shows for years, and the Hereford 
bullocks had taken first prize in every year he 
had been there. He maintained that there was 
no difference in the weight, and to prove this 
quoted statistics from the Smithfield Show as 
follows: 

"In the year 18(59 the Herefords under two 
years and six months weighed 1,731 pounds; 
Shorthorns the same age, 1,618 ; Herefords 
under three years and three months, 1,936 
jiounds; Shorthorns, 1,976 pounds; Herefords 
over three years and three months, 2,228 ; 
Shorthorns, 2,200. In 187.5 Herefords under 
two years and six months, 1,485 pounds; Short- 
horns, 1,565 pounds. , Under three years and 
three months, Herefords, 2,036; Shorthorns, 
1,983 pounds. Over three years and three 
months, Herefords, 2,161; Shorthorns, 2,281 
pounds. Extra stock, Herefords, 3,534 pounds; 
Shorthorns and Norfolk cross, 3,390 pounds. 
Three of the heaviest cattle shown in 1875 
weighed, first, Hereford, 3,624 pounds; sec- 
ond. Shorthorn, 3,444 pounds; third, Hereford, 
2,420 pounds." 

SUPERIORITY OF HEREFORDS AS RANGE CATTLE. 

In publishing the "Breeders' Journal," we 
received a large number of congratulations and 
commendations from parties in the different 
parts of the States and Territories, on the 
course that we have taken in advocating the 
Hereford interest in this country, and not only 
from America, but from iVustralia and Eng- 
land as well. Among these, none were so highly 
appreciated as one from the veteran Hereford 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



393 



advocate, Mr. William H. Sotliaiii, in which he 
exiircf:j:c(l great satisfaction at our course in 
exposing the frauds at the Fat Stock Shows. 
Prol)al)ly next we esteemed the endorsement of 
a veteran breeder, nearly *80 years of age, in 
Australia, who has been a breeder of Herefords 
in that country during an ordinary lifetime, 
ex|ircssiiig the warmest sympathy and eommen- 
dation for the course that we have taken in ad- 
vocating the merits of the breed that he has 
given a life work to. In speaking of his expe- 
riences in that country, we find that it is not 
dissimilar to ours in this country; while in 
some parts of Australia the Herefords early 
became popular, and are Iwcoming the domi- 
nant breed, still they have met the Shorthorn 
opposition, that has retarded their movements, 
and it must be admitted that the Hereford men 
have seemed to lack that nerve and push that 
was necessary to overcome the o])position ; but 
Hereford breeders in Australia as well as Eng- 
land felt the influence of the Hereford move- 
ment in America, and began to move with more 
strength and system for the permanent estab- 
lishment of their breed of cattle in that coun- 
try. We valued highly also a letter from that 
veteran breeder, Mr. Duckham, at Baysham 
Court, in Ross, Herefordshire, England. An- 
other from Mr. Hill, Felhamptou Court, Salop, 
England, both speaking warmly in commenda- 
tion of our efforts. Mr. Hill had quite a trade, 
and lias had for some years, with South Amer- 
ica. 

About this time we received a letter from Jfr. 
Fulfonl. of the firm of Fulford & Williams. 
Sj)riiighill Station, Queensland; in referring tn 
a purchase of Herefords from Mr. J. Barling. 
of (\isino, Xew South Wales, he says: "The 
cattle arrived at Springfield a short time since. 
after a journey of nearly 1,500 miles, with only 
the loss of three head, and were in excellent 
condition on arriving, notwithstanding that for 
the first •'iOO miles grass and water were very 
scarce, and that quite half the cows were suck- 
ling calves. As an instance of the superiority 
of the llereford over the Shorthorn as a trav- 
eler, I will mention that just as our cattle were 
passing near Rockhampton a draft of pure 
Shorthorn heifers started from there for the 
Flinders River, and traveled almost the same 
stages for about (iOO miles, when they parted 
company. Tiie Shorthorn heifers were miser- 
nl)ly poof, while the Herefords that had traveled 
from Hiehmoiul River, New South Wales, to 
Rockhampton, then (IOO miles in company with 
the Shorthorns, and then about 300 miles to the 
end of the journey, arrived in excellent condi- 
tion, half of them having calves at foot, while 



the Shorthorns were dry heifers. As there have 
lately been some interesting letters in the 
'Queenslander' in reference to Herefords vs. 
Shorthorns, I have taken the liberty of send- 
ing you these particulars, thinking they may 
be of interest to some of your readers. 

"I may add that we have a herd of about 
17,000 Hereford cattle in Lindhurst, not having 
used anything but Hereford bulls for ten years 
past, owned by Messrs. Barnes & Smith Bros., 
of which I have been manager for nearly twelve 
years, and I think that I may say that for qual- 
ity and docility the herd will compare favorably 
with any herd in North Queensland, worked 
under similar conditions." 

Thus was the Hereford movement receiving 
evidences of prosperity in all parts of the world. 
A reference to the map of Australia and South 
America will show somewhat the relation that 
this movement has to the meat production of 
the world. Australia as well as South America 
and our western range from Panama to Mani- 
toba, are great grazing districts, and these 
ranges must supply the beef of the world. The 
testimony is but one way by all those who have 
used the Herefords on these ranges. 

IIINDMARSII ISLAND AND MR. CHAS. PEICE''S 
HEREFORD HERD. 

The "South Australian Register" (1884) 
gave an account of the farm of Mr. Charles 




BEAU REAL 11055. 

Bred by Gudgell & Simpson. Independence. Mo. Favorite 

stock bull of Shockey & Gibb. 

Price, of Hindmarsh Island, and its surround- 
ings. We give this full statement that our 
readers may see the conditions under which one 
of the largest Australian herds of thorough- 
breds has been bred and reared. Mr. Price was 
then a man something over eighty years old, 
and we think was on the island for something 
over fortv vears. He was one of the most active 



394 



HISTORY OF HEREFOED CATTLE 



Hereford breeders in the world, and one who 
took a very active interest in all that pertained 
to the Hereford breed of cattle, especially in its 
struggle for merited recognition. 

He had the usual difficulties on the show 
grounds and elsewhere in carrying forward his 
operations; still, he never questioned the ulti- 
mate outcome, and bred (making a fair paying 
business) for bullock breeding mainly. He, 
however, built uj) his herd, retaining the fe- 
males until he liad soiiicthiiiL,'- (jvcr '.'oii head. 




ANXIETY 4th 9904 (6283). 
Bred by T. J. Carwardine, sire of Beau Real. 

We give this full statement from the "Aus- 
tralian Register" that it may be seen that it is 
not the most favorable country in which to de- 
velop a breed of cattle, but it will be found 
that under just such conditions as these, one of 
the best herds of Herefords in the world has 
been reared, and Mr. Price lived to reap very 
large returns in Australia for his breeding 
stock. With these remarks we give the state- 
ment as appearing in the journal referred to: 

"Every South Australian who takes the 
slightest interest in live stock of any description 
must have heard of Mr. Charles Price and his 
herd of Herefords, but for several years past 
very few have had the pleasure of seeing any 
of the beautiful animals, because they are rather 
diflicult to get at upon their island home. 

"Being one of the privileged few whose busi- 
ness it is to see all that is to be seen and is 
worth seeing, I availed myself of an invitation 
from Mr. Charles Price and visited his farm at 
Hindmarsh Island on the ITth ult. Hindmarsh 
Island is about eight miles long, and averages 
two miles in width. The River JIurray, after 
passing through the middle of Lake Alcxan- 
drina, divides, one arm going down by Goolwa 
to within about half a mile of the sea, and then 
runs eastward parallel with the beach, from 
which it is divided only by a sandhill, for sev- 



eral miles, until it reaches the Murray mouth, 
where it is joined by the other branch, and the 
space of land enclosed is known as Hindmar.sh 
Island. There is another large island to the 
eastward, known as Mundoo Island, and a num- 
ber of small islands are to be seen dotting the 
surface of the river in various directions. The 
water is sometimes perfectly fresh, often brack- 
ish, and occasionally perfectly salt, so that the 
farmers have now and then been put to great 
straits for want of fresh water, and once a large 
number of cattle died through scarcity of it. 
At the same time there were wells existing at 
the western end of the island, at the base of the 
sandhills, in which there was and still remains 
an inexhaustible supply of beautifully fresh, 
sweet water. These wells are merely oblong pits 
sunk at the foot of the large sandhills, having 
planks around the sides to keep the sand from 
Ijreaking in, and the water is the result of soak- 
age. The soil, as is usual where sandhills exist, 
is clay at a foot or two below the level of the 
land upon which the sandhills rest, and the 
water is chiefly the result of absorption from 
the hot, moist atmosphere in summer time. 
When the clay is gone through, in most cases, a 
brackish or salt-water stratum is encountered. 
Upon Mr. Price's farm there are fresh pools 
and salt pools within a few feet of each other; 
but the salt water is always upon the lower level. 
"From the ferry, which is close to the west- 
ern end of Hindmarsh Island, a metaled road 
proceeds southward for about a mile, and then 
turns eastward through the length of the island. 
The whole of the land from the road to the 
river on the right-hand side of the road for 
two and a half miles belongs to Mr. Price, and 
he rents a large block on the left jjroceeding 
from the ferry. Further along on the west 
side there is a large block which has lately been 
taken into the possession of Mr. West-Erskine. 
This land has been terribly mismanaged, and 
through being broken up too much the fibrous 
roots of the grasses and other herbage which 
bonded it together have been destroyed, so that 
hundreds of acres may be seen on a windy day 
traveling from place to place, or flying about in 
the air. If the wind is from the south the 
river receives the greater portion, but if it 
comes from the north then it becomes the prop- 
erty of Mr. Price, covering up the herbage to 
the depth of several feet. In some places for 
perhaps fifty acres the sand has blown away for 
several feet in depth, and pieces of limestone 
stand up like the 'boys' left by contractors for 
railway cuttings to show the depth to which 
they have excavated, except that there is no 
sod left on top, to which tlio excavators are so 



HISTORY OF HEREFOED CATTLE 



395 



partial that they will sometimes even add two 
or thi'ee spits rather than not show enough. 
Tiie sand whieh is earried hy the north wind 
into Mr. Price's land to-day may be removed 
into the river by the south wind a week or two 
after, and thus a deal of harm is done. The 
metaled road is also covered in many places 
with several feet of sand. The Council, Mr. 
West-Erskine, and Mr. Price are all doing what 
they can to prevent this undesirable state of 
things, but it is probable that it will not be 
stopped until the shifting sands have been cov- 
ered with boughs and planted with grasses. 

"There are very few trees now upon the is- 
land, but the settlers are inclined to encourage 
their growth. The Shea oak seems to thrive 
there, and in one place where a large tree has 
been cut down there are a hundred or so of 
seedlings, so that if the settlers chose to obtain 
seeds anil sow them there would be good hopes 
of covering the place in a few years. Mr. Price 
introduced the tobacco tree (really a species of 
tobacco), which grows to a height of twelve to 
eighteen feet in favorable localities. This took 
kindly to the sand and soon every one was anx- 
ious to use it along his boundaries as a hedge 



and breakwind; Init the people did not cut it 
back enough, and the trees grew up with long, 
straggling branches, which broke down with the 
winds, and now the plant is being neglected on 
all hands. I have seen the tobacco tree made 
into a very effective wall or breakwind, about 
ten feet- high, by continually stopping all 
branches that break beyond bounds. The Agave 
Americana, or 'American Aloe' or the century 
plant, and the common Opuntia, or prickly 
pear, have also been used with some success for 
stopping the shifting sands. Attempts have 
also been made with couch grass and by sowing 
with rye grasses and other plants to fix the 
sands, but too often before they get roots the 
wind comes and blows seed and soil away to- 
gether. 

"Mr. Charles Price has been an enthusiast 
in respect to Herefords ever since his boyhood, 
and by this time ought to be a pretty good judge 
of what a Hereford should be. He believes that 
he now possesses 200 beasts which will compare 
favorably individually with anything in the 
Australian colonies, and as a herd, with any in 
the world, and probably he is not far out in his 
estimate of their character. He was brought 




PRIZE WINNING HERD OF 1885, PROPERTY OK TIIE InWA HEREFORD CATTLE CO. 
Modesty 2i, 24284. Melody 16th, 18549. Stately 2d. 1S022. Forelock 17999. Washington 18152) 22615. 



396 



HISTOEY OF HEEEFOED CATTLE 



up at Bringewood, on the Downton Castle es- 
tate, which belonged to the late Mr. T. A. 
Knight, and was acknowledged to be one of the 
best Judges of that breed in those times. This 
gentleman alwa3's kept fifteen picked Hereford 
cows for the use of the Castle — for milk sup- 
ply' — and of their calves four of the best heifers 
were annuall}' selected to keep up the herd, and 
the remaining calves, whether male or female, 
were sold to such of the tenants on the estate 
as desired to have them at the uniform rate of 




HESIOD (64S1) 11675. 

Bred by P. Turner, Herefordshire, founder of the 

Hesiod line. 

$10 each, which was the butcher's price for 
calves. 

"Mr. Price's father was a dairyman and his 
farm was close beside the Castle, so that his 
sons, who had taken a great liking for the 
Hereford breed, knew pretty well to a day when 
there would be a calf for sale, and being always 
among the people who had to do witli the Ijreed- 
ing of the animals, they had already gotten a 
pretty fair notion of what constituted a per- 
fect Hereford. They knew the pedigree of 
each of the fifteen cows, and could give a good 
idea of what might be expected from each cow. 
When tlie calves were a fortnight old, Mr. 
Knight decided whether they were to be kept 
for his own herd or whether they were to be sold 
and tlie Price boys generally came in ahead. It 
was not very long ere they got together a large 
herd of pure-bred Herefords of the 'Knight' 
strain, and they found the business so profitable 
that they gave up the dairy business and de- 
voted themselves to breeding pure Herefords, to 
which they have continued to give their almost 
undivided attention ever since, both at home 
and here, the Knight strain being the founda- 
tion of the herds in both places, and the purity 
of the strain is being maintained with scrup- 
ulous care by the family, notwithstanding the 



fact that many thousands of miles of sea sep- 
arate the one herd from the other. 

"There is no indecision when I have to de- 
scribe Mr. Charles Price's character. He is 
most decidedly gone upon Herefords. His sit- 
ting room is decorated with numerous portraits 
of Hereford cattle, and his library is filled with 
books and periodicals relative to Herefords. He 
is filled up with Hereford lore, which leaks out 
at every opportunity. Among the portraits of 
cattle is one of a IniU named 'Cotmore,' which 
was the property of Mr. Jeffries, of The Grove, 
Herefordshire, and won the iireniium at Oxford 
in 1839. This animal, Mr. Price informed me, 
was the grandest Hereford bull ever calved, 
and if the portrait is a faithful representation 
it seems to fully bear out the encomiums passed 
upon it. The next portrait is that of Emperor, 
the winner of the Hoyal (Knglaiul) Agricul- 
tural Society's Show at Shrewsbury in 1874, 
and bred by Mr. Thomas Sherift', of Coxall. 
Next to this comes the portrait of 'Conqueror,' 
attached to which is a short interesting history. 
'Conqueror' was bred in the same herd as the 
celebrated 'Cotmore' al)ove mentioned. He was 
purchased by Mr. Price when he was farming in 
Herefordshire, and after he had used him for 
three years he took the IniU to market, where 
he was offered $160 for him by a butcher, but 
he wanted ten dollars more, and had to take 
him home again. He let him for seventeen 
cows, at $5 each, and then took him to Leo- 
minster, in Herefordshire, where he let him 
from October till Christmas for $100, and the 
next fall let him from Christmas until May 
for $100. 

"The next year the same person hired him 
for $250 and when that term was expired Mr. 
Price sold him for $250. Another portrait con- 
nected with the historv of Herefords in South 
Australia is that of Bringewood 2981 E. H. B., 
which was bred by Mr. J. Price, of Bringewood, 
and was purchased from him by Mr. Charles 
Price, of Hindmarsh Island, brought out here, 
used by him for four years and then sold by 
auction in Adelaide, to Mr. J. H. Angas, for 
117 guineas ($585), being then the first and 
only pure-bred Hereford bull imported into the 
colony. There are several other portraits hang- 
ing around and one group of Herefords and 
grade Herefords which the "Breeders' Jour- 
nal" (America) has thought worthy of illus- 
trating in colors. They are very nice beasts, 
especially the three pure-breds, but there are 
better on Hindmarsh Island. Gratitude, or 
love for a perfect specimen of his class, induced 
Mr. Price to have a portrait of a bull, which 
he owned quite a short time ago, named 'Mon- 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



39: 



arch,' which was the sire of I'uUy 2W) head of 
calves, each of which was a splendid, level, 
square and perfect type of what a Hereford 
should be. 

"The pure strain of Hereford has been main- 
tained in this herd all through, as will be seen 
by the list of bulls employed, since he first com- 
menced in South Australia. First came Bringe- 
wood C.'DSl), the best bull that could lie found 
in Kngland, and the first Hereford bull im- 
ported to South Australia. As stated before 
he was sold to Jlr. J. H. Angas after four years' 
service on the Island. Neptune, his progeny, 
was used for a short time only on account of 
being too nearly related and Mr. Price not be- 
ing favorable to in-and-in breeding where a 
Indl of e(|ual quality can be got from else- 
where. The successor was Mount Aitkin, then 
Hindmarsh Island, and Merman took his place, 
these l)eing followed in due time by Chief of 
the Isle — by Mount Aitkin out of Alpha. After 
him for one year came Goolwa and Neptune, 
the last having been sent back to the island by 
Mr. Richard Holland, of Turret Field, South 
Australia, previously to sending him away to 
Sydney for sale. Next came Monarch, whose 
sterling qualities caused his portrait to be 
taken, which portrait, by the way, is rather 
marred by exhibiting him full face to the spec- 
tator. After him came Myrtle Bank, and then 
Benefactor, who will very shortly give place to 
a young bull named Earl Tredegar. Thus it 
will be seen that during a period of less than 
thirty years twelve bulls have reigned over the 
Hereford herd, and if the herd book is turned 
up it will be found that each has a famous pedi- 
gree or ancestry attached to its name. 

"ilr. Price landed in South Australia in 
18.")3, and hearing that 2,000 acres were being 
surveyed on this island he started to have a 
look at it along with Mr. Samuel Goode 
(^ S/JS), now of Goolwa. H was a wild place 
then, and the first night they stopped with the 
blacks, who were fishing. He was pleased with 
the land — or sand — and having secured what 
he wanted has never had occasion to regret his 
choice. He pities the poor fellows who have 
to grow wheat for a living, and does not envy 
those who have to grow wool for a subsistence. 
He thinks he can produce one Hereford where 
another man would have his work to do to main- 
tain three sheep, and does not think that the 
cattle waste as much food or cut up the land as 
badly MS the sheep would do. 

The Herefords are in splendid condition, ow- 
ing to the great quantity of grass, which is even 
now quite green — a thing that has never been 
noteil in the ])revious thirty years' history of 



the place — and there is not one cull in the 
whole herd. One beast is so like the other in 
shape, size, color and appearance that it is not 
possible to tell them apart. Mr. Price him- 
self, who is always among the cattle, can only 
tell by such minor distinctions as would escape 
the casual observer — such as a small spot of red 
near the eye or some other trivial distinction. 

"1 have given the history of the first Hereford 
bull that was imported into South Australia, 
but the story of the first cow was not accom- 
panied with so fortunate results. In 1863 Mr. 
Charles Price purchased the best cow he could 
find in England, and paid £60 ($300) for her, 
which was the highest price that had been paid 
up to that time for a Hereford. She was 
named 'Maid of Coxall' by North Star, and was 
bred by Mr. T. Eogers, of Coxall, Hereford- 
shire. She was in calf to Battenhall before 
named, and had a heifer calf by her side named 
Queen of the Ocean. On the voyage, during a 
storm. Maid of Coxall was washed out of her 
box and both of her hind legs were broken, so 
that she had to be killed, but Queen of the 
Ocean was saved, and thus became the first 
pure-bred Hereford female in the colony. She 
was calved in 1863 to Bringewood and has pro- 
duced a calf every year for fourteen years. Her 
pedigree is found in the Hereford Herd Book, 
and also in the New South Wales Herd Book. 

"Mr. Price calculated upon raising fifty head 
every year and for 
some time past his 
calculations have 
been verified. Last 
year he was a little 
short of his number 
through an accident 
to the bull. This 
was only a tempo- 
rary affair and this 
season his calcula- 
tions will again 
most probably be 
carried out. The 
following is the his- 
tory of the Queen 
of the Ocean's pro- 
geny : 

"Alpha, a heifer 
by Bringewood, sold for 120 guineas to Messrs. 
Kirkham Bros., along with her heifer calf 
Resalama. This Mr. Price informs me is 
the only cow the firm ever bought, but they 
also purchased the bull Hindmarsh Island, 
then aged about five years, at the same 
time paying 100 guineas for him. Since then 
the brothers have been famous for their fat 




398 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



cattle, and they are now a very respectable herd. 

"Neptune, a bull by Bringewood, sold when 
a yearling for 150 guineas to Mr. R. Holland, 
afterwards used by j\Ir. C. Price, for a short 
time, and then sent to Sydney, where he was 
sold. 

"Mermaid, a heifer who was shown several 
times and always took a prize. When about 




r:,i:\: RTrriKr.AKER, 

South Bend. lud. Firm of F. 11. Johnson cfc Co. 

four years old in returning from a sliow she fell 
over "a clifE and was killed. On the day of her 
death Mr. Price received a letter from Mr. 
Frank Reynolds, Tocal, Patterson, X. S. W., 
offering 1.50 guineas ($750) for her. 

"Merman, a bull by Bringewood, sold to Mr. 
W. J. Maidment as a yearling for 100 guineas 
($500). 

"Chief of the Isle, a bull, by Mount Aitkin 
(4800), sold to Mr. Haywood" Porter for 150 
guineas ($?50) as a yearling. 

"Goolwa, by Hindmarsh Island (4647), a 
bull, sold as a yearling at Sydney for 82 guineas 
($410). 

"Queen of the iMurray, a heifer by Goolwa 
(4647), had one calf and then died. 

"King of the ilurrav, bv Monarch (206 in 
N. S. W. Herd Book); sold as a calf for 100 
guineas ($500) to Mr. Ramsey, Western Aus- 
tralia, who purchased two bulls and three heif- 
ers from Mr. Price. 



"The ne.xt two bulls were made into steers, in 
consequence of no purchasers being ready for 
them. 

"Queen of the Murray, by Monarch, now ris- 
ing two years and in calf to Benefactor. 

"Altogether, Queen of the Ocean has pro- 
duced ten bulls and four heifers, seven of which 
realized over 800 guineas ($4,000), and what 
with prize money and other odds and ends in 
the shape of steers and heifers still unsold, her 
progeny has proven to be a valuable source of 
income. 

"The next cow worthy of special notice is 
Effie; by Bringewood, out of Pigeon, imported 
from Tasmania. Pigeon was purchased by Mr. 
Trice from Mr. John Chambers in 1853, along 
with two other heifers, for $180. She is a splen- 
did animal, and was a great bargain. Pigeon's 
first calf was a heifer named Jennie Deans, 
vvhich was sold with a calf to Mr. J. H. Angas 
for 200 guineas ($1,000). Effie was the next 
offspring of Pigeon and was dropped on Jan- 
uary 9, 1873, and had her first calf on De- 
cember 3, 1874 (Dolly Varden, by Merman). 
Since then she has given a calf every year, and 
is now in calf again. She is a splendid cow, 
with every point from head to tail, from back to 
1 oofs, hair, horns, skin, color and everything 
^ Ise to character, but this is equally true in re- 
spect to the whole herd. They are so alike in 
t very particular that a stranger can scarcely dis- 
tinguish the worst from the best. 

"Sturt Pea is another beautiful cow, got by 
Monarch, out of EfRe, by Bringewood. She was 
calved on Octolier 17, 1877. Her first calf was 
Sweet Melon (another first-class beast, now run- 
ning on the farm, and one of the grandest heif- 
ers that was ever calved). On January 15, 
1882, she gave birth to a bull calf, which was 
sold along with eighteen other bull calves to 
Messrs. Grant & Stokes for a run up in the far 
north. Her last calf by Benefactor was also a 
IniU and was dropped on July 30, 1883, and she 
is now in calf again. Her progeny are all like 
the rest, without a bad point in any part. 

"Effie 2d was calved on August 15, 1879, bv 
Monarch, out of Effie. She is full sister to 
Sturt Pea, and is now in calf to Benefactor. 

"Little Dorrit, by Mount Aitkin, out of Jen- 
nie Deans, took the ten-guinea cup at Adelaide 
some years ago for best Hereford cow. She 
had her first calf in 1877, and has given a calf 
regularly every year since. Little Dorrit 2d, 
by Goolwa (4617), Little Dorrit 3d, and Little 
Dorrit 4th are all the progeny of this fine 
cow, and are all good specimens of pure-bred 
Hereford s. 

"Botli the bulls now in use on the farm were 



II 1 S 'IM ) 1{ Y V HEREFORD C A T T L K 



399 



])urcliase(l in SvdiU'V at the time of tlio late 
M<'ilioiini(' Exiiiliilion ami are of good pedigree 
ami splendid character. The following partic- 
ulars will be interesting to breeders: 

"Benefactor, calved Febrnarv Ki, 187(), bred 
bv Mr. ¥. Wcviiolils. 'riH-.ii. Patterson, N. S. \V., 
sold to Mr. V. ('. Cnydcr for $375 on 
April '-io. IcS;;^, and i)urcliased from him by 
i\Ir. Charles I'rice, who has had him three 
years. 'JMiere are betwei'n (iO and 70 calves 
on the farm belonging to him, and another 
()0 or 70 on the road for the present season. 
He took tlH> first jirize at the ^laitland Show in 
1877. Benefactor, by Sir James (497.5), by 
Royal Hero (4094), dam Fairy, by The Cap- 
tain (1409), imported g. d. Fancy, by Thurs- 
ton (14"2'2), imported g. g. d. Favorite, by The 
Captain (1409), g. g. g. d. Wanton, imported, 
by Radnor (13(i(;). 

''His successor, just commenced duty, was 
also purchased by llr. Price, on August 30, 
1883, from 5Ir. F. Reynolds. His pedigree is 
as follows: Earl Tredegar, calved at Tocal on 
September 17, 18.S3; sire Dale Tredegar 
(.58.5C), imported; dam. Last Day 1st, by Sir 
James (161 N. S. W. H. B.) ; g. d. Last" Day, 
by Sir Hercules (100 N. S. W. H. B.) ; g. g. d. 
Eattie, by Garil)aldi, imported; g. g. g. d. Re- 
becca, imported (X. S. W. H. B.— Vol. XL p. 
393, E. H. B.) Last Day is dam of Last Day 
1st, 2d, 3d and '4tli, all noted good animals. 
Last Day 1st won first prize at the Singleton 
Show in 187 S; was very highly commended at 
the ilaitland Show in 1879 ; took second prize 
at Sydney in 1879, and, coupled with Fancy 
1st, won the Challenge Cup given by Mr. 
Charles Price, of Hindmarsh Island, for the 
best pair of yearling heifers of any breed. She 
took the second prize at the Singleton Show in 
1879 and the firsl prize at the Maitland Show 
in 1880. Her daughters, 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th, 
have taken a number of prizes at various shows. 

"To those who are pleased with the sight of 
really well-bred animals, and others who are de- 
sirous of learning all that is known about Here- 
fords, 1 can confidently recommend a visit to 
Hindmarsh Island." 

AX AUSTR-VLIAN C.VT.ALOGUE. 

We once received a catalogue of Hereford cat- 
tle bred by Mr. F. S. Reynolds, of Tocal, Pat- 
terson, New South Wales. The Hereford bulls 
were fifteen in number. JIany of them are by 
Dale Tredegar, a bull imported from Eng- 
land. Dale Tredegar (r,8.5()) (If 2.59) was 
calved August 14, 1879, and was bred by Mr. 
II. J. Bailey, Ro.sedale, Tenbury, England, was 
got bv Tredegar (.5077) 2178! dam Rosa 2d, 



by King of the Dale (3891). This bull, under 
tlie name of Dale Tredegar, has his picture at 
ten months old in Vol. XI of the English Herd 
Hook. He won first prize at the Royal Agri- 
cultural Society's Show at Carlyle in 1880, sec- 
ond at the Bath and West of England Show at 
Worcester in 1880, first at the Gloucester Agri- 
cultural Society's Show in 1880, first at the 
llav Agricultural Show in 1880, and third at 
the' S. & W. Midland at Bridgenorth in 1880. 
It gave us great pleasure to receive a Hereford 
catalogue from this distant country, indicating 
as it did the Herefords were making their way 
to the front in all parts of the world. 

AX At'STRALIAX SHOW. 

We have an account of a show held in Aus- 
tralia. We quote from the "Sydney Mail" of 
April 15, 1884, of the meeting of the Agri- 
cultural Society of that city. Of the Cattle 
Department it says: "In the rosy period be- 
tween 1874 and 1878, when four figures for a 
well-lired bull was no unconmion figure, the 
Agricultural Society was each year favored by 
very large entries. Alfred Park has had as 
many as 450 head displayed, and its sale rings 
used to be crowded. The show afforded proof 
that in the matter of breeding, low prices have 
not proven potent enough to lower the stock's 
quality. In the half hundred or so of the 
Shorthorns shown, 
there were several 
animals which hear 
comparisonwith the 
champions of past 
years. The score of 
Herefords show dis- 
tinct evidences of 
progress, and the 
Devons, of which 
there were about 
ten, prove unmis- 
takably that th e 
hardy red breed 
are still favorites. 
There were over 
twenty Ayrshire 
cattle. The judg- 
ing commenced on 
Saturday morning. 
We note the awards of the Herefords as follows : 
Hull, three years old and over, F. S. Reynolds, 
Kenilworth; for two years old and under three, 
first and second, F. S. Reynolds; bull one year 
old and under two, first to Percy Reynolds, sec- 
ond to F. S. Reynolds ; bull calf six months old 
and under twelve, F. S. Reynolds; cow three 
years old and over, F. S. Reynolds; heifer two 




J. S. HAWES. 
Reading, Mass. (Formerly of 
Colony, Kan., and Vas- 
salboro, Maine.) 



400 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



years old and under three, Percy Reynolds; 
iieifer one year old and under two, F. S. Rey- 
nolds first, "W. McLeod, second; heifer calf six 
months old and under twelve, F. S. Reynolds 
first, H. McLeod second." 

THE "bEEEDEKS' JOUENAl" ON AUSTRALIA. 

Commenting upon the Hereford situation in 
1884, we said in the "Breeders' Journal": 
"Australia is the one competitor with the 




SIR EVELYN (7263) 9650. 
Bred by T. J. Carwardine. 

American continent for the European trade. 
The inland lines on which cattle must be 
moved in Australia are as long and as expensive 
as those in America. The water transportation 
is an average of twelve weeks or more, while 
the water transportation from America is less 
than that many days. The quality of the Aus- 
tralian cattle to-day is better than that of the 
American cattle from the plains. This gap 
must be closed ; that is, the quality of the plains 
cattle must be improved, and this can bo done 
no way better than by use of Hereford blood. 
This for two reasons; there is no other race of 
cattle, so hardy, and which adapt themselves 
so weir to the conditions to which cattle must 
live under as the Herefords. And whatever 
may he said of other breeds claiming merit for 
this purpose on the ground of grazing, there 
are no other cattle in the world that can com- 
pare with the Herefords. This being true the 
future of Hereford breeding is a sure success. 
"When these facts are fairly considered and 
the other facts that are behind these there is 
a certain and sure profit in the bullock breed- 
ing, we can say to all inquirers as to the fu- 
ture outcome of Hereford breeding, make it as 
large as you can, as successful as you can, and 
you will always find very large returns." 

A LETTER FROM AUSTRALIA. 

We received the following from Mr. Price : 
"T. L. Miller: I must now tell vou that I 



have had an oil painting taken of two of my 
breeding cows. They were full sisters, got by 
a Lord Ashford bull. I have sent 3'ou a rough 
copy of them, as I want you to tell me what 
you think of them. They were taken at the end 
of the summer, when they had nothing but dry 
grass for the last five months. They have never 
tasted a bit of anything in their lives but what 
they got from pasture, where all my herd run 
together. You will see that Effie 2d is in bet- 
ter condition than Sturt Pea, as she did not 
suckle her calf. Sturt Pea suckled a great calf 
all through the summer. I do not know, but 
I think I never saw a better HeM>ford cow than 
Effie 2d in my lifetime. Most of my cows and 
heifers are descended from the same strain as 
these two cows. I think I told you in my last 
that I had offered ten two-year-old heifers for 
25 guineas each. The gentleman took them and 
four bull calves to commence a Hereford herd. 
I hope they will manage them well ; they are 
a grand lot. I must now close, hoping this will 
find" you well. I am now far gone in my eight- 
ieth year, enjoying first-rate health, taking 
pleasure in my 'white-faces,' as I have got them 
to such ]3erfection. 

"Yours very truly, Chas. Price. 

"Hindmarsh Island, Australia, 
"April 27, 1885." 

The pictures spoken of were received in good 
order and they certainly represented grand 
specimens of beef cows. It hardly seemed pos- 
sible that they have not been fed grain. They 
were an inspiration to make it a life-work to 
breed as good Hereford cattle as has Mr. Price. 
What can bo more satisfactory than for a man 
to have around him a herd of cattle that he has 
bred himself, which for massive beef qualities 
cannot I)e excelled. 

LIGHT ON THE AUSTRALIAN SITUATION. 

"Editor 'Breeck'rs' Journal': 

"I received a letter from you dated October 
15, 1884, saying you have received my name 
from Mr. Charles Price, Hindmarsh Island, 
S. A., and a slip of the 'Queenslander,' con- 
taining a letter of mine on Herefords from Mr. 
A. J. McConnel, and I feel quite pleased to 
think it was made use of by you in your 'Breed- 
ers' Journal.' I would have replied to that 
letter sooner, but wished to be in a position 
first to give you an account of our doings for 
half year just past on this station. I may first 
inform you that we are experiencing our sec- 
ond season of drought, and as the cattle in this 
country on the large runs (ranges as you call 
them) have nothing but the natural grasses to 



HIST ( ) H Y F II E 11 E FORD CATTLE 



401 



subsist upon, of coursi> a short siipplv of rain 
iiiciins a sliort su])ply ol' grass. 

"W'c luivc on tiiis station about :i-^,UOO uattlo, 
and they have about 1, ()()(» s(iuare uiiies of 
country to make use of, tlio greater extent of 
which is good grazing country, and 1 think our 
management of cattle is very similar to that 
on your ranges; but I think our cattle do not 
get so mixed up in this country as they do on 
your ranges, as in the more settled districts 
iu-re a great deal of fencing is ilonc; more for 
sheep tiian for cattle, to save the cost of sliep- 
lurds, as sheej) iu unfenced country without 
shepherds would be useless, while cattle, if 
bred in a certain locality, will not roam far, 
even in unenclosed country. 

"I am glad to say that our cattle are standing 
the effects of the drought exceedingly well, and 
la.st year we were able to muster fat cattle at 
a time of the year (November) when no other 
station in the district coxdd do so, which 1 at- 
tribute to the fact of our cattle being Here- 
fords and the others in the district Short- 
horns. The herd here were originally Short- 
horns, the station having been formed in 18()3 
with Shorthorn cattle from New South Wales. 
I took the management of the herd in 1870, 
and the year after we commenced with Here- 
fords, both to breed them pure and putting pure 
Hereford bulls into the general herd. 

"We started our pure herd by purchasing 15 
pure heifers from Mr. Frank Eeynolds, of To- 
cal, N. S. Wales, and purchasing a liull named 
Cato, whose dam. Green Lady, was bred by 
ilr. Green, of Hereford, England, and im- 
])orted to this country in calf with Cato, his 
sire being Julius Caesar (318T). Cato was 
]>urchased at two years old in Sydney, and was 
in use liere nearly 13 years, and got us a very 
fine lot of stock. He was only fed two winters 
(on oil cake), and I think would have been alive 
HOW if we had had suitable feed for him, but 
having no cultivated land here (except a veg- 
etable garden), and no means of getting fodder 
from tlie coast except by horse or IniUock teams, 
at about $125 per ton carriage, we do not as a 
rule get up any fodder. We have had other 
stud Inills in use also, bred in N. S. Wales, and 
added to our stud females by the purchase of 
about thirty pure cows and heifers from the 
sanu' colony. We have now about 250 pure 
Hereford cows and heifers and all the bulls we 
luive in the general herd are pure Ilerefords, 
and have been for the last ten years, and the 
herd now is getting to he all red, with white 
faces, as T spay the cows when 8 or 9 years old, 
and also cull and spay all inferior heifers every 
vear. 



"We got some rain last DecGmlier and Jan- 
uary that caused a spring in the grass that en- 
abled us to commence work among the cattle, 
branding and spaying, etc. Since January 28th 
we have branded close on 4,000 calves, spayed 
1,400 females, mustered 360 fat cattle for 
butcher and 1,100 fats to go to be boiled for 
their hides and tallow to tlie coast, and have 
still about 5110 more to muster for latter pur- 
pose. 

"Our great want in North Queensland is a 
certain and regular market for fat stock. We 
have not a large enough population to con- 
sume one-half of the stock fattened here, and 
owing to lack of railways, we have no means of 
taking them to the principal markets to the 
south of us, and to take cattle to Sydney over- 
land means about 1,500 miles of a drive, and 
to Melbourne, a great deal further. 
• "I consider we are fully 50 years behind you 
in America in advancement, and we seem to 
1)0 still crawling on our hands and knees in- 
stead of marching. You seem to manage mat- 
ters more systematically in America than we 
do, and have better plans of thoroughly testing 
the capabilities of live stock than w'e have in 
this country. 

"You will scarcely credit that there are no 
cattle ever weighed alive at the stock shows in 
Queensland, and no prizes given for the best car- 




LOVELY 2D (V. 15, p. 299), 21977. 
Bred by R. W. Hall, Herefordshire. A celebrated Michi- 
gan winner. 

casses of beef, and, generally speaking, judges 
at shows go for size more than quality in the 
fat cattle classes. 

"I exhibited some fat bullocks about a year 
ago at a stock show about 200 miles from this, 
and won every prize I competed for but one. 
That was for a pen of three bullocks from 3^ 
to 4 years old. I met five pens of Shorthorn 
bullocks and prize was given for the heaviest 



402 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



cattle. Cattle were slaughtered and weighed 
the day after the show. A pen of Shorthorns 
won that dressed an average of 1,005 pounds 
each; our three dressed 988 pounds each. But 
our cattle traveled 100 miles further to show 
than the Shorthorns, and of course the whole 
distance was traveled by the cattle on foot. I 
wanted to bet the owners of Shorthorns that 
ours were the best butchers' and consumers' cat- 
tle and leave it to the decision of the butchers 
who purchased both pens, but they would not 
make the bet, but agreed to leave the matter to 
the jiiduiiiciit of two butchers whom we knew, 




CASSIO t6S49J 13oo2 

Bred by P Turner Herefordshire Rated the best buU 

ever seen in Canada 



without having a bet on it. The butchers, not 
knowing which was the Hereford carcass and 
which the Shorthorn when hung up in shop, 
decided that the Hereford carcass was far and 
away the best. I may say that we decided to 
each select one carcass from our three, and 
have the decision on that. I then offered to 
enter into a sweepstakes of from $100 to $250 
each and show a pen of bullocks this year same 
ages (3^ to 4 years), the prize to be awarded to 
the cattle that show the best beef for butchers 
and consumers. 

"The Shorthorn men would not enter into the 
matter on those terms, so I decided not to be an 
exhibitor this year. The following were the 
classes we won in last year : First prize for 
best fat bullock in the yard, any breed or age; 
first prize for best pen of three fat bullocks, any 
breed or age ; first prize for best pen of four fat 
bullocks under 4 years old ; first prize for pen 
of three heifers from 2 to 3 years, any breed ; 
first prize for pen of six fat Hereford bullocks, 
any age; first prize for best Hereford cow bred 
in district; first prize for best Hereford bull 
bred in district. 

"Our pen of three Hereford heifers beat a 



pen of Shorthorns that were awarded a prize of 
$500 for the best pen of Shorthorn heifers. The 
latter was a great honor, as the pen of Short- 
horn heifers were the best that had ever been 
shown in North Queensland, and were stud cat- 
tle out of a stud herd, while our three heifers 
were grade heifers (about three-fourths bred), 
out of our general herd. 1 could have shown 
pure heifers from the stud paddocks very much 
superior to those I won with, l)ut they were too 
valuable to travel 200 miles to a show and the 
same distance back again. 

"With regard to the great opposition to 
Herefords from the breeders of Shorthorns in 
this country. I fear it will last much longer 
than it has with you in America, simply because 
the breeders of Shorthorns outnumber the 
breeders of Herefords in this country by at least 
five hundred to one, and our leading journal, 
the 'Queenslander,' stopped all correspondence 
on the subject last year. We want someone like 
yourself in this country to start a journal in 
the interest of Herefords. However, I hope a 
great deal of good will arise to the breed in this 
country, when people are more acquainted, gen- 
erally, with the great success they are having 
with you in America, particularly if they go on 
prospering and giving satisfa'ction on your 
ranches and ranges, where, I presume, your cat- 
tle have to exist on the natural grasses as they 
do in this country. 

"I am quite sure they are gaining ground in 
Australia, and that Shorthorns are gradually 
losing favor with cattle breeders, particularly 
in the poorer pasture districts. Of one thing I 
am certain, that is, that pure Shorthorns have 
decreased in value quite 50 per cent, in Aus- 
tralia in the last five years and as no cattle are 
permitted to be imported from England, it looks 
bad for the breed. 

"One of the largest stud herds in Australia, 
and also the very best, has lately been sold at 
auction and realized very poor prices, compared 
with what cattle from the same herd brought at 
annual sales four or five years ago. 

"I refer to Messrs. Robertson Bros., Colae, 
herd in Victoria. About eight years ago they 
bought out another celebrated breeder called 
Moreton, of Mount Derrimut, and gave him. 
close on $200,000 for about 400 head of pure 
Shorthorns (his entire herd), and now I see, 
looking over the sale lately held, that their 
whole herd of cattle, numbering over 850. near- 
ly all of which were pure bred and 350 of them 
stud cattle, brought a total of $95,575. In this 
mimber were included several out of and got by 
imported high-class English cattle. 

"The highest price brought by a bull was 525 



M I S 'r ( ) H \' O F H E ]} K F K D C A T T L E 



403 



giiinoas, and liiglu'.st price; for a cow 420 
guinea.":, l)ut tliu average I'or 27 stud hulls was 
a fraction over $410, and for 72 stud cows $440, 
tiiose lieing the very pick of the iierd. 

'"There are very few stud Hereford herds in 
Australia, not more than about ten, I think, and 
the largest nuniher are in N. S. Wales. How- 
ever, in the last few years a few of the largest 
Queensland cattle owners have taken up Here- 
fords, and have l)een using nothing but them in 
tile general herd, but the majority are still firm 
believers in the Shorthorn. The Devon is also 
coming into favor and Shorthorn men fancy 
that breed crosses hotter with the Shorthorn 
than Ht'refords do. But it is nothing Init 
prejudice that makes them think so, as it has 
not bet'n thoroughly tested in many parts of the 
country. 

"I SCO you use Hereford grade bulls very 
largely in America. I confess that I am sur- 
prised at that, as we cattle breeders in Australia 
are of opinion that it is a great mistake to use 
a grade bull, particularly a grade Hereford or 
Devon, and I must confess that I have always 
seen bad results in this country from so doing, 
as cattle so bred go to be inferior in the long 
run. All breeders of any note in this country 
use nothing but pure bulls. I have forgotten 
to mention that we have a great deal of the 
same Hereford blood, both in N. S. Wales and 
Queensland, as Lord Wilton has in his veins, 
as the firm I am connected with imported two 
bulls named Lord Ashton and Lord Brandon, 
some years ago. The former by Adolphus, dam 
T>adv Ashford, by Carbonel (1525), and the 
hitter by Avon (2393), dam Lady Brandon by 
Brandon (2972), g. d. Lady Adforton, by 
Pilot (215fi), the last two mentioned cows be- 
ing the g. d. and g. g. d. of Lord Wilton. 

"I fear the length of my letter will tire your 
patience, so I will stop. I enclose ten shillings 
to pay subscription to the 'Breeders' Journal' 
for this year, and if sufficient, for 188(5, also, 
and hoping to hear from you again at no distant 
date, I am, 

"Yours very truly, 

"John FuLFORn. 
"Lvndhurst Station, Xorth Queensland, Aus- 
tralia, .lune 13, 1885." 



of winter and the drouths of summer, steady 
and satisfactory profits can i)e realized. An- 
other fact as shadowed forth in the articles is 
that Australian ijreeders usually, if not always, 
look for thoroughbred sires to put with their 
herds. 

In Australia, as in America, it took hard 
times to drive away erroneous prejudice and 
predilection, that prevented the dispassionate 
consideration of the value of breeds, as the fol- 
lowing correspondence will show : 

"Editor 'Breeders' Journal' : 

"I send v'ou two letters I lately issued in our 
local press. My challenge, you see, was not 
taken up. Herefords are steadily gaining 
ground, and there is a good demand from drov- 
ers for our coast country; Shorthorns no- 
where. 

"This aw-ful drouth is not over yet. Sheep 
dying in millions; cattle by thousands. It has 
been on now near three years. The openings 
are gradually drying up and the big water holes 
getting lower and lower. Our bullocks at Lales 
Creek generally average 820 lbs. dead carcass; 
this year they will hardly average 700 lbs. I 
fear our interior will yet be a desert, as it must 
have been when our early explorers, between 




H. R. HALL. 
Orleton, Hercfordshi 



STAXD THE niiOUTII IN AUSTRALIA. 

We have the following from Australia, which 
we commend to Hereford breeders, ranchmen 
and farmers of America. We would especially 
call attention of range cattlemen to the facts set 
forth in these letters and articles. If the range 
cattle can protect themselves from the storms 



1830 and 1850, went out and returned with the 
report, 'AH desert.' 

"Our sugar industry has 'gone to pot.' The 
German beet sugar and want of reliable black 
labor has closed many large plantations. 
"Yours faithfully, 

"BKARDJrORE OF ToOLOOjrBA." 



404 



II I S T E Y OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



The following are the letters referred to: 
"Editor 'Daily Northern Argus' : 

"I see by' newspaper eorrespondenee that 
many people would like to see the trial be- 
tween Herefords and Shorthorns come off, and 
1 think it just a good time to challenge Mr. 
Peberdy to produce his 20 cows against mine. 
The season has been the worst ever known up 
here. On the 29th of November last, the first 
rainfall for many months, and my Hereford 
females were very poor, nearly all of them hav- 
ing to feed their calves and support themselves 
on the bare ground. I have had since then 
about one month's fair rain, but no floods and 
no wet season, and 
strange to say, al- 
though the grass 
appears 0. K. it has 
none of its usual 
fattening qualities 
in it. There could 
Scarcely, therefore, 
be a better time to 
show the hardiness 
of these Herefords 
and their vast re- 
cuperative powers. 
"I now challenge 
]\lr. Peberdy, of 
Jelimbah, to bring 
down to the next 
race at Rockhamp- 
ton ten Shorthorn 
cows with their ten sucking calves not under 
four months old, and ten dry Shorthorn cows 
(may also have calves if owner prefers, must 
be breeders), to show against a similar lot 
of Hereford cows from my herd. The stock 
book to be produced so that the judges can see 
they are pure bred. The cattle on both sides 
to be driven by land, and not railed, to the 
ground, and as I live nearer to Rockharapton 
than Mr. Peberdy, I bind myself to drive mine 
sixty miles extra to make me even with his dis- 
tance. The judges to decide which are the best 
breed of cattle for the Central District, and the 
loser to give the winner a ten guinea cup prop- 
erly engraved, and five guineas to the hospital. 
"I shall also give Mr. Peberdy the right of 
examining my drovers as to whether I fed my 
cows on hay during the drouth, or whether I 
had them slung up in slings in trees to keep 
them u]5, and I shall expect the same from him, 
as I understand he had a very suitable tree near 
his house occupied with a cow in slings, and 
had to import hay from Melbourne to keep them 
alive. The Herefords did not require that. I 
have only my own herd to pick from ; Mr. 
Peberdy has the pick of N. S. Wales, as he has 




H. W. TAYLOR. 
Showle Court, Herefordshire. 



bought bis COWS from several herds, and I don't 
bind hiui to jiroduce cattle of his own breeding. 
"Yours, &c., 

"Beardmore of Tooloomba. 
"May 7, 1885." 

''Editor 'Daily Northern Argus': 

"Mr. Peberdy's reply on the 14th May to 
mine of the 7th is what I expected, declining 
the challenge, abusive, spiteful. The gentleman 
evidently forgets that abuse is not argument, 
and that this is not the first time he has made 
an otherwise interesting controversy a medium 
for personal abuse. 1 shall write no more in 
reply, but I shall state a few facts for the bene- 
fit of the public. 

"Mr. Peberdy might also with advantage re- 
member that running down my cattle does not 
raise the value of his or further the interest of 
the Shorthorn breed. Mr. Peberdy also intro- 
duces a novel idea that those gentlemen who do 
not win the cup or stakes contended for shall 
advertise in the papers that they have not 
gained it. Will he kindly set the example? 
He also makes the same mistake made by sev- 
eral Shorthorn men before him, viz., of stating 
that the Hereford men have got a dose of Dur- 
ham in their cattle, when they put a few fine 
cattle in the show yard. Will Mr. Peberdy tell 
us what quality a Hereford can get from a 
Shorthorn ? Is it color, constitution, traveling 
capacity, sm'alluess of l)one, decrease of offal, 
depth of brisket? What quality is it? 1 only 
know one thing that might be gained (I speak 
for myself only) viz., a square hind quarter 
and with it perhaps a few more pounds in 
weight at the expense of all the foregoing qual- 
ities. To conclude, is not this letter-writing 
of Mr. Peberdy's a cheap way of advertising 
that he has some 200 cows to dispose of? 

"Three mobs of bulls have lately passed 
Tooloomba from the south, one from the Logan 
of 70 head, very poor and dying, one of 300 
from the Clarence poor, not fit for work, not one 
sold from the time they left, mostly Short- 
horns, and the few half-breed Herefords in 
them far better in condition than the rest, and 
lastly a mob of pure-bred Herefords from the 
Clarence, 200 strong when they left. Of these 
some ten head were Shorthorns, and the drovers 
had to sell them for what they could get, be- 
cause they could not travel with the Herefords, 
150 Herefords he sold on the road up to Rock- 
hampton, and as he passed Yaamba, Mr. Shan- 
non, of Salt Bush Park, a Devon breeder, met 
them, and was so struck with their general con- 
dition and beauty after traveling 850 miles, that 
he bought the lot. 50 head, and a lucky man 
I consider him to be. Some of those fifty were 



II 1ST OUT OF IIEKKFOKD TATTLE 



405 



actually fat ami all fit to put iu a herd at once. 
Sonio l.v'OO lu'ad of bulls have lately passed 
Ix'oekhaiiipton, and this lot of "■^OO Herefords 
is the only one sold out. No one seeing these 
three mobs of hulls could help being struck by 
the difference in their contlition on a long jour- 
ney, and it would appear also that these letters 
on Shorthorns and Herefords are doing their 
work, for while not a Shorthorn was sold, the 
whole of the Herefords were cleared out. 

"The last two mobs of bulls came from with- 
in eight miles of one another. 1 would also ask 
jMr. I'eberdy if it is true that Mr. John Living 
is going in for Herefords? No man in this dis- 
trict has spent more money on or brought up 
better Shorthorns than Mr. Living, but this 
last two years' drouth seems to have shown him 
that Mr. Wright's Xalabia Herefords alongside 
of his (Living's) Shorthorns have proved the 
hardier and better cattle. 

"Wishing now the gentlemanly (and the 
I)rinter"s devil need not ])ut a ? after it, for it 
iri not required) Mr. Peljcrdy a pleasant three 
month's western trip. Yours, etc., 

"BlCAltDilOKE OF ToOLOOilBA. 

-.luiie 2, 1885." 

THE UlMiUXDUR HEKD. 

Some very interesting history of the Here- 
fords in Australia is supplied in the following 
letter: 

"Editor 'Breeders' JuurnaV: 

"Sir: 1 enclose a postolhce order for 5s. in 
payment of postage of the three volumes of the 
'Journal' that you sent me. They arrived a few 
Weeks ago. I called upon Gordon & Goch, and 
iiKpiired al)out the ])ictures of Success. They 
informed me that the pictures had arrived, and 
they would distribute them among people who 
would appreciate them. I received one some 
time ago with the 'Journal.' I have had it 
franu'd. Some little time ago a Hereford Herd 
Book society for the publication of Australian 
pedigrees was started in Sydney. I requested 
the Secretary to send you a copy of the rules, 
etc. T'nfortunately Hereford breeders are few 
and live far apart in Australia, so we cannot 
meet as often as we should, and form plans for 
])iishing the breed to the front. At present the 
continued drouth ])revents the sale of cattle on 
any post. When this drouth ceases there is no 
doubt there will be a demand for bulls to re- 
place those that have died, and it is probable 
that Ileri'ford bulls will be usi'd by many who 
formerly had Shorthorns. Tlie former cattle 
are jiroving themselves best ada))ted for this 
part of the world, where the seasons are so Irv- 



ing. We also find they mature early. It is 
rarely that we keep a Hereford bullock to four 
years old, we sell a great number at three years 
old. In fact, it is only a question of size; the 
condition is always there. In years past we 
owned a very well-bred herd of Shorthorns, the 
direct descendants of imported stock. They 
were excellent cattle, of good quality, first-rate 
color, with big bodies, on short legs; but in a 
few years the constitution gave way, they be- 
came delicate and narrow, in spite of money 
l)eing spent and care taken to change the bulls 
frequently, and taking care to get good ones. 
In 1ST',; it was decided that Hereford bulls 
should be introduced and the breed adhered to. 
The result has been quite satisfactory. We 
breed and wean a greater percentage, the cattle 
are quieter, and we can keep more stock on 
our freehold. It has l)een interesting to notice 
the gradual change of the herd as each succes- 
sive draft of pure sires has been introduced. 
About tlie second cross a good number of the 
females were unshapely, bad colored, and of 
nondescript appearance. The 'pure bulls again 
corrected all that, and now we have reached a 
stage in which 80 per cent, of the calves are 
])roperly marked with characteristic colors and 
appearance of pure Hereford cattle. They are 
hardy, vigorous and fat from the start, and in 
our opinion there is no breed like them for 
making prime bullocks at 3^ years old, weigh- 
ing 750 pounds dressed, and this is to be done 
entirely on grass. 
All our bullocks arc 
fattened on grass. 
We buy and fatten 
a great many store 
bullocks, and we 
notice that the few 
H ercf ords we get 
in this way fatten 
about two months 
sooner than the 
Shorthorns. We 
fatten store bul- 
locks on an average 
of about nine 
months. Th<' tim- 
ber haulers in our 
neighborhood jire- 
fer Hereford to 

Shorthorn bullocks for their work, and give 
us five dollars per head more for them than for 
other breeds. At our shows at Brisbane we 
were fairly successful with onr Hereford cattle. 
T^nfortunatelv there is not much competition in 
the Hereford classes. There is, however, a prize 
given for the best bull in the show, of any breed. 




T. S. JllNTON, 
Shropshire, Eng. 



406 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Last year we showed our bull Blood Royal 
(7424), but as he had to walk fifty-two miles 
from here to Brisbane and from Brisbane back 
again, we could not get him very fat. He was 
beaten by a Victoria bull that came by steamer. 
He was a very fat animal that could scarcely 
walk ; however, he beat our bull. Last August 
we showed our bull Prince Leopold under the 
same conditions as before. This time, however, 
we were more successful, beating animals of 
Shortliorii, Devon and An<;us breeds from the 




best herds in Australia. Our IniU is nine years 
old, and weighed seven pounds under a ton. He 
walked home in five days, and did not seem to 
feel the journey in the least. 

"I enclose some particulars of our herd. We 
have a catalogue in the press, and when it is 
printed I will send yovi a copy. 

"The Cressy Company's herd, from which a 
good many of our stock are descended, was 
formed in 182.5 by the purchase of a bull and 
three cows from one of the best herds in Here- 
fordshire. LTnfortunately their pedigrees have 
been lost, but all the cattle lired from them 
were recorded in the private herd books of the 
company. Good cattle were bred from these 
cows, bulls in the early days selling for 80 and 
100 guineas. 

"The following imported sires were used. 
The pedigrees of manv of them have been lost : 

"1. Billy (4353), 'imported in 1825. 

"2. Cressv 1st, imported in 1837. He was 
bred by Mrs. Jeffries, of The Sheriffs, near 
Knighton, Herefordshire, and was purchased 
by Mr. J. D. Toosey when a yearling for 80 
guineas. 

"3. Trojan (4384). imported in 1833 by 
Mr. Edward Brvant. 



"4. Trojan (5083), imported 1840 by Mr. 
Thomas Williams, and solcl on arrival for 300 
guineas to Mr. Toosey. 

"5. Hereford, imported with Trojan 
(5083). 

"6. Cronstadt (1198), imported by Mr. 
Robt. Keate, with the cow Cressida, was bred 
by E. Williams, Llowes Court. She was by 
Glasbury (709), dam by Quicksilver (353). 
She was a fine cow and had good calves. 

"7. Zealous (1822), imported by Mr. J. Cox, 
of Clarendon. This well-bred bull cost 400 
guineas in England. 

"Mr. Toosey used bulls of his own breeding, 
and had two fine animals, one called Garibaldi, 
by Garibaldi (2005), and another called Under- 
graduate, by the Oxford Lad (4192). Under- 
graduate was sold for 300 guineas and is now 
in Xcw South Wales. 

"Many of the Hereford cattle in Australia 
are descendants of this fine herd, which is now 
dispersed, the late owner, Mr. J. D. Toosey, 
having died a year or two ago, aged about 80 
years. 

"It is much to be regretted that our ports are 
closed against foreign cattle, or we might take 
advantage of the valuable imi)ortations to 
America that have been going on for some time 
past. Yours faithfully, 

"A. J. McCoNNEL. 
"Durundur, Brisbane, Queensland, Nov. 8, 

1885." 

"P. S. — I omitted to tell you the following 
interesting conversion of a Shorthorn breeder 
into a breeder of Herefords. 

"A cattle-owner breeds very good Shorthorns, 
and his neighbor very good Herefords. The 
two herds mix on the boundary of the respective 
runs. The owner of the Shorthorns musters his 
cattle on the boundary to sell the fat bullocks 
to the butcher, and in so mustering unavoidably 
collects on the same camp his neighbor's 
Herefords. To his dismay he finds the butcher 
at o"nce picks out all his neighbor's bullocks and 
drafts them first ; then the butcher takes the 
Shorthorns. This has been too much for the 
breeder of Shorthorns. He has sold his Short- 
horns and replaced them with Hereford bulls." 

PEDIGREES OF HEREFORDS IN AUSTRALIA. 

We find in the "Breeders" Journal'' for 1885, 
taken from the "Queenslandcr," the following 
account of the Hereford herds in Australia. 
There was a plan for establishing an Australian 
Hereford Herd Book, and we sent to the breed- 
ers who had the matter in charge copies of the 
"American Hereford Record," so far as they 
were then published. The Association of 



IIISTOKY OF IIEHKFOIU) CATTL 



107 



Breeders assumed I'uriu and they received appli- 
eations for entry. They, however, found tliat 
tlieir breeders had not kept records in all cases, 
and in some of them, where the records have 
been kept, owing to the death of parties, the rec- 
ords were lost. There is one fact clear, that 
many of the iiest of the breed have been taken 
from Kngiantl to that country, and that each 
herd can show, not the detailed data that would 
lie desirable, but, as a rule, they can show the 
line of sires. It will be seen that the first im- 
portation was in 1825, some twenty years before 
the Herd Book was established in England. 

There is no doul)t that herds referred to hei'e 
are pure bred and the I'diting committee prob- 
ably found not much difficulty in determining 
what were j)ure bred, and they should give the 
facts as fully as possible upon which they admit 
aninuils to entry, and unless the breeders 
showed that they raised only thoroughbred sires 
and dams of the Hereford breed their animals 
would not find places in the public record. 

The admitting of animals of doubtful pedi- 
gree is not raising their value, but is lowering 
the value of all better-bred stock, and a loose 
policy at the beginning will be felt for all time. 

Commenting upon the proposed herd book at 
the time, we said in the "Breeders' Journal"': 
"There will probably be clear evidence, as it 
permits of breeding in the majority of the 
Hereford lu'rds of Australia, although special 
dates may be wanting, and this evidence should 
be spread upon the record as fully as possible. 
We have a right to an interest in the action that 
the Australians shall adopt at this time, and 
we urge ujion their attention the fact that the 
policy they now adopt will be felt for all time. 
It will be felt in the general reputation of their 
herds, and, what is of greater importance, it 
will be felt in the character of the herds them- 
selves, or, we might say, in the character of the 
individuals in their herds. There is now a uni- 
formity in the individual character of the Here- 
fords that does not exist in any other breed. 
This should be kept in mind, and cross-bred 
aninuils will damage this individual merit. 

"If, then, the Australian breeders shall have 
in mind the ultimate good and value of the 
breed, rather than the sujiposed value of in- 
dividuals, in securing a ))lace in their record 
for animals of doubtful nu-rit and of doul)tful 
lireeding. then they will be laying the founda- 
tion that will result in great good to the stock- 
men of their country. 

"The ITerefords are to occiipy the lead in 
biH'f production the world over; and we would 
that we (Miuld im)ir('ss this truth upon the .\us- 
tralian breeders at this time, so that thev might 



fully n'c\li/.c the necessity of building upon 
such foundation as will stand the test of time, 
and of the closest scrutiny. With these thoughts 
we give the article from the '(Jueenslander' 
referred to : 

Tino KOT'XTAIX HEAD OF AUSTRALIAN HERE- 
FOUDS. 

"There are very few, if any, Australian Here- 
ford herds that do not trace back either di- 
rectly or indirectly to the Cressy Hereford herd 
of Tasmania. As this breed of cattle is coming 
so rapidly to the front, particularly in our coast 
districts, a brief history of that herd will be of 
interest to many. Unfortunately the work of 
compiling a public Herd Book had not been 
undertaken until the Cressy Herd Book, which 
was so carefully kept by the late Mr. James 
Denton Toosey, had been lost, a circumstance 
which has rendered the work of tracing the 
pedigree of the herd one of considerable diffi- 
culty. Fortunately, however, Mr. A. J. Mc- 
Connel, of Durundur, a gentleman who is well 
posted up in Hereford lore, is in possession of 
a number of letters written by the late Mr. 
Toosey a short time before his death, and these, 
which have been kindly placed at our disposal, 
throw considerable light on the origin and 
history of the herd. The Cressy Company's 
lu'vd was founded bv the late Mr. Toosev, who 




••THE LEE.N/' PEMBRIDGE, HEREFORDSHIRE. 
Home of the Turners. 



brought witJi him from England a bull and 
three cows. They left England in November, 

1825, and were landed in Hobart Town in May, 

1826, and were thus the first Hcrefords that 
arrived in the Australian colonies. Mr. Toosey 
had a number of other cattle and horses in his 
charge by the same ship. The bull's name was 
Billv, entered in the English Herd Book 
(4;5.'i;5). The cows were Matchless, Beautv, and 



408 



HISTORY OP HEREFOED CATTLE 



one unnamed (the dam of Diana). The pedi- 
grees of the cattle have been lost, but Mr. 
Toosey states that they were purchased at high 
figures from one of the first breeders in Here- 
fordshire, and that he bred some of his best 
stock from them ; bulls in the early days bring- 
ing from 80 to 100 guineas. Beauty and 
]\fatchless were splendid cows, and much ad- 
mired in the herd. Diana was calved in 1828. 
She was a verv fine cow, and was sold by auction 
in IB-ll. Her dam died in 18-29. Beauty died 







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"LYNHALES," HEREFORDSHIRE. 
Home of S. Robinson. 



early in 1832, having bred five calves. Mr. 
Toosey used Billy for some years, and then re- 
placed him by his son, Comet, who was born in 
1830. Comet's dam was JIatchless. He was a 
splendid bull and good stock-getter. Comet 
was succeeded in the herd by Cressy 1st, a bull 
purchased as a yearling by Mr. Toosey for 80 
guineas from his breeder, Mrs. Jeffries, of 
The Sheriffs, near Knighton, Herefordshire. 
Cressy was a noble bull, well shaped and of 
excellent quality of flesh. He was used for sev- 
eral years in the herd and then sold by auction. 
His pedigree, which was a good one, was given 
to the purchaser, but, Hnfortunately, no copy 
has been preserved. Mr. Jeffries was the 
breeder of the celebrated bull Cotmore (376 
E. H. B.), whose live weight at the Royal Show 
at Oxford in 1839 was declared to be 35 cwt. 
(3,920 lbs.) The next bull used was Trojan 
(4384 E. H. B.) He was imported in 1833 
by Mr. S. Bryant, and after being in the col- 
ony some time, was sold to Mr. Toosey, who 
described him as a very fine symmetrical bull. 
After him was added another bull, also called 
Trojan (5083). He was imported about the 
year 1840 by Mr. Thomas Williams, of Launces- 
ton, and purchased by Mr. Toosey for 300 
guineas. He is described as a bull of good 



quality and great weight. He was a success- 
ful stock-getter, and was the sire of Dainty 
1st, calved October, 1843; Lady Bird, calved 
November, 1840; .Juniper, calved June, 184(5; 
Trojan was afterwards sold to Mr. Wier, of 
Victoria, who has his pedigree. Mr. Williams 
at the same time imported the bull Hereford, 
who was afterwards used at Cressy with good 
results. 

"After this bull Mr. Toosey used two of his 
own breeding. Baron and Duke. The former 
was calved 14th November, 1845, and was by 
Trojan (5083), dam Blowdy, by Cressy 1st, 
g. d. Bashful, by Billy (4353); Belinck, by 
Billy (4353) — Beauty. Duke was calved 1st 
September, 1848, and was by Baron, dam 
Darling by Trojan (5083) ; g. d. Daphne, by 
Cressy 1st— Damsel, by Billy (4353) ; Diana by 
Billy, from imported cow. He was a very good 
bull and was used in the herd till 1854, when 
he was sold to Mr. Sloper Cox, of Mudgee, New 
South Wales, for seventy guineas. 

"'Sir. Toosey next used Priam, purchased in 
April, 1850, from his breeder, Mr. David Gib- 
son, of Pleasant Banks, near Launceston. He 
waB by the celeljrated Hampton (513), who was 
sold for 500 guineas on his arrival at Launces- 
ton, out of Miss Stockton, a fine cow, imported 
from England by Mr. Gibson. 

"In June, 1854, Mr. Robert Keate purchased 
for the company the bull Cronstadt (1198 ) . and 
the cow Cressida, then three years old. These 
cattle arrived at Cressy in November, 1854. 
They were bred by Mr. Edward Williams, of 
Llowes Court, Hay. 

"Cronstadt was succeeded by Zealous (18?2), 
a bull purchased by Mr. James Cox, of Claren- 
don, Tasmania, for 400 guineas, that price 
being paid in England. He was bred by Mr. 
George Pitt, Cliadnor Court, Dilwyn, and was 
a remarkably well bred bull, coming from a 
long line of illustrious ancestors. His sire, Mil- 
liam (1321) won first prize at the meeting of 
the Hay and Wyside Agricultural Society in 
1855. His g. d. White Rose, by Young Cot- 
more (f)01), won second prize at the Royal 
meeting at Norwich and was one of the six cows 
to which the first prize was given in 1855 at 
Ludlow. Young Cotmore ((501) won first prize 
at the Leominster Agricultural Society's meet- 
ing in 1811, and with cow and offspring at a 
subsequent meeting. His third dam. Rose, won 
first prize in her class at Hereford in 1845 ; 
fourth dam. Blossom 3d, by Young Favorite 
(4(50), was a winner of the first prize at Here- 
ford, 1854. She was a dam of the celebrated 
bull Big Ben (248). 

"Young Favorite won first prize in 1837, and 



HISTORY OF 11 EKE FORD CATTLE 



409 



witli c»w and oiVspriii";, lii>t at tlic iiiui'ting ol' 
tlic (ilouci'stcr Agricultural Soi-icty in 183!). 
Zealous" [)i'(ligrfe trac-fs liaoi\ tlirof more genera- 
tions to the esteemed lilood of Mr. Knight, one 
of the breeders of the l)est cattle of his time. 
Two years ago Mr. Pitt's herd was dispersed, 
when ninetv-one animals averaged £77 Is i)d 

"The next hulls used were Crcssy 2d (4474), 
Clarendon, and Garii)aldi, all i)red at Cressy, 
the two former being sons of imported Cressida, 
and the latter out of her daughter Countess, by 
Cronstadt (1198). Clarendon was by Cron- 
stadt, was calved 1st September, 18()0. Cressy 
•*^d was by Zealous and was calved 29th July, 



■"ilr. Toosoy considered Undergraduate a 
magnificent animal, and sold him to Mr. Vincent 
Dowling, of Lue, for 300 guineas ($1,500). 
Soon after Mr. Toosey gave up breeding. Some 
of his principal sales were the following : Mr. 
Tjearmouth, of Groongal, many years ago pur- 
chased a number of heifers, and, mating them 
with English bulls, formed a very fine herd. 
The cattle there, as seen by a well-known 
Queensland Hereford breeder a few years ago, 
were very large and thick. A number of fe- 
males from this herd were exported to found a 
hci'd in Xew Zealand. 

"About forty-five years ago, Mr. Toosey sold 
a bull to Mr. Hobbler, of the Hunter. This .is 




Jir'^313 



Bred by H. W. Taykir. 
for $7,500 gold. 



MAIDSTONE ISS70) TJVJl). 
n English show rings. Champio 
Argentine. S. A., where he was 



18()1. He was a fine animal and after i)eing 
used many years was sold to Mr. R. (}. Ker- 
niode, of Ross, for fifty guineas. Garibaldi was 
calved 19th November, 18()2. He was bv Gari- 
baldi (200.'-)). a fine bull imported by Mr. W. 
]-"icId, of Enfield, Tasnuinia. Mr. Toosey used 
(Jaribaldi for some time with success, and even- 
tually sold him to ^Ir. James Cox,of Clarendon. 
The next bull used was Undergraduate, calved 
13th June. 1872. He was bred by Mr. Robert 
ifcDougall, of .\rund(d, \'ictoria, and was got 
by his celebrated bull. The Oxford Lad (1192), 
afterwards sold to Mr. George Loder, of Abbi'v 
Green, for fiOO guineas ($3,000). Undergrad- 
uate's dam was the Cressy cow Jessie, by Zeal- 
ous, she being a descendant of ifalchless. 



probably the animal named Hobbler's Tro.jan, 
a name met with in some of tlie Tocal ped- 
igrees. 

"About thirty years ago ten or twelve heifers 
and the bull Young Cronstadt (50.50) were sold 
to Mr. Lyall, of Western Port, Victoria. These 
heifers were principally by Trojan (5083), and 
from them, by Jerry (1288), Mr. Lyall bred 
cattle equal to anv in Australia. 

"About the .vear 18(i8, Mr. J. D. Cox, of 
Cullenbone, bought seven heifers, most of which 
were by Cressy 2d. hi 1872 he ]nirchased six 
more, these and four others that he bought in 
1874 being by Garibaldi. 

"'Messrs. McConnel and Wood's fine cow 
Duchess 5th is from one of these. Mr. Cox 



410 



HISTORY OF H K R K FORD CATTLE 



sold drafts from his herd to Mussrs. J. Gar- 
diner and I. Irving (Tomki). He also sold a 
cow to Messrs. Arelier, of Gracemore, for eighty 
guineas, and in 1882 Messrs. McConnel and 
Wood, of Durundur, purchased the whole of his 
herd descended from the C'ressy cattle. 

"In 1873 Mr. Reynolds bought some heifers, 
and Mr. G. Loder a bull called Julius, and later 
on Mr. Vincent Dnwling bought the bull Un- 
dergraduate and all the young females bv that 
bull. 

"Finally, owing to old age, Mr. Toosey dis- 
posed of the whole of the remainder of his herd 




^^^i 



HOTSPUR C7726) 21721. 
Bred by T. J. Carwardine, Herefordshire. Sold for $3,500. 

to Mr. John Taylor, of Winton, near Cleveland, 
Tasmania, who still continues to breed from 
them. 

"Mr. Toosey, as already stated, kept a record 
of his breed up to the time of his death, but 
since then his son states that the Herd Books 
are not to be found, and must have been de- 
stroyed. This is very much to be regretted, as 
a detailed record of the earlier cattle of the 
foundation herd of Australia — a herd the blood 
of which is to be found in every herd in Queens- 
land, and perhaps in every Hereford herd south 
of the equator — has probably disappeared for 
all time. The loss is all the more to be de- 
plored that arrangements have almost been com- 
pleted for compiling a reliable Hereford Herd 
Book for the whole of the colonies." 

THE DURUNDUR EXPERIENCE. 

It is the source of great gratification to ns 
when we can secure the opinion of men who 
have had a large experience in the use of the 
Hereford in its purity and in crossing on other 
breeds. There is no question but that our large 
western range is valuable for the purpose of 
breeding cattle and producing beef, and the 
question which they wish to determine is, as to 



the best breed for the purpose of improvement 
on that range. The improvement of Texas and 
range cattle has movecl very slowly and is of 
comparative recent date, but the discussion of 
these (juestions in this country has had a very 
wide influence and is bringing out in Australia 
the experience and practice that cover a half 
century's time under similar conditions to those 
on our own ranges; we find in the "Queens- 
lander" the following article from a correspond- 
ent of that journal, which we published in the 
"Breeders' Journal," leaving out some remarks 
as to individual animals and giving what might 
be termed that general experience, which will 
be of value to our breeders, and to which this 
correspondent refers. The experiment has been 
in operation for 36 years, and we refer to the 
article itself to see with what results : 

"I must honestly confess that I have gener- 
ally viewed the Hereford breed with an unfavor- 
able eve, induced from personal ex})erience of 
their general wildness when bred or running in 
mountain districts, though I never denied the 
excellence of their beef-producing qualities. 
After some days' experience of the Durundur 
herd I must admit the error of my views, for a 
quieter and more kindly dispositioned herd, 
from aged bulls, through every grade, down to 
the year's calves, could not be found even in 
their original homes in the English counties. 
The cattle I worked amongst in earlier days 
were a bastard In'eed, Herefords only in naiue 
— magni nominis umbra — badly worked and 
worse managed. At Durundur exactly the op- 
posite is the ease. The cattle are worked on a 
very different system; the consequence is they 
are as quiet and docile as a mob of milkers, 
looking upon man as their best friend, rather 
seeking his company than avoiding it. 

"The original source from which all Here- 
ford herds in Australia sprung, either directly 
or indirectly, is that of the celebrated Cressy 
herd of Tasmania, started by the direct impor- 
tation from England of three cows and one 
bull in 1825. In 1850, Hereford cattle were 
first introduced into Durundur by the pur- 
chase of some pure-bred bulls from Mr. 
Reynolds, of Tocal, New South Wales. The 
general herd then consisted of Shorthorns, and 
the proprietors for some years oscillated be- 
tween the two breeds, in reality making some 
costly experiments, aiming more at quality than 
quantity. In 1873, however, a final decision 
was come to, and since that time nothing Init 
Hereford bulls have been used, their prepo- 
tency being so assured that in a few generations 
the original strain of Shorthorn blood was en- 
tirely eliminated. In 1882 the pure herd was 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD C; A T T L K 



411 



first formed liy tlu' puicliasc of 41) piiro Hcro- 
I'ord l\i'il'crs Troiii Air. Reynolds, of Tocal, hav- 
ing such j^rand blood iu their veins as eould 
lie introduced by the imported hulls Lord Ash- 
ford, Royal Head (T| ^(iO), The Captain, Thrux- 
ton, with many colonial-bred hulls, all of high 
brt'cding and many of them Royal prize win- 
ners. Misfortune followed their importation, 
however, as many of them fell victims to that 
dire disease, pleuro-pneumonia. Later on, 15 
cows were purchased from Mr. J. D. Cox, of 
Mudgee, New South Wales, whilst in 1883 eight 
more were obtained from the same gentleman, 
all descendants of English cows, imported to 
Tasmania, many of them prize winners them- 
selves or the produce of recipients of show 
honors. 

"Since then the stud cattle have been aug- 
mented by the purchases from such well-known 
and successful breeders as the Jlessrs. White, 
of Muswcll Brook; G. Rouse, of Mudgee, and 
(i. Loder, of Singleton. These later lots are all 
undeniably pedigree, descended from such 
splendid sires as Defiance, Oxford Lad, etc., 
and all bred from cows, winners of first prizes 
at the great English shows. These females 
numliered 1'23. to which may be added about 
200 more, being a choice herd of high-grade 
cows, bred by thoroughbred bulls from dams 
that have been carefully selected for several 
generations. 

"The general herd are deserving of much 
aredit, being large framed, of a good uniform 
color, and very even as regards shape and make. 
One feature in the raising of Hereford cattle 
is especially noticeable. They come to perfec- 
tion for butchering purposes at an earlier age 
than other breeds. Rarely is a bullock kept 
after reaching four years of age; in fact, the 
Hereford lieast at three and a half years will 
fetch as good a price in the open markets as 
one of the other breeds at five years of age. 
Consequently the breeder realizes on his stock 
far earlier than he otherwise would. The intro- 
duction of Hcrefords and the adhering to that 
breed has been most satisfactory. The Herd 
Books show a greater percentage of branded 
and weaned calves, the stock are quieter, and 
the estate carried a larger quantity. Most in- 
teresting must have been the gradual improve- 
nu'nt of a herd as each successive draft of pure 
sires was introduced. Mr. Wood tells me about 
the second cross. A good number of the fe- 
males were unshapely, bad colored, and of 
nondescript appearance. The pure bull again 
corrected all that, and now the stage has been 
reached when 80 per cent of the calves are prop- 
erly marked with the characteristic colors and 



appearances of the Hereford cattle. They are 
vigorous, hardy, fat from the start. There is 
no breed like them for making prime bullocks 
at three and a half years old, weighing 750 
pounds, dressed, and this done entirely on nat- 
ural grass. Further, there is no breed like them 
for accommodating themselves to the changes 
and chances that grazier's cattle are exposed to 
in the capricious climate of Australia. 

"This station buys large numbers of store 
bullocks yearly, and it is a curious fact that the 
few Herefords they get in this way fatten about 
two months sooner than the Shorthorn cattle. 
From personal experience I know that Here- 
fords travel long distances to market better than 
Shorthorns, with less lameness, and keeping 
their condition better ; further, that a Hereford 
beast in hard times will fight for his living 
where a Shorthorn simply lies down and dies. 
From inquiry I find the timber getters are al- 
ways ready to pay $.5.00 per head more for 
Hereford bullocks than for Sli'^^'+horno to break 
them into the yoke, as tht-y find them more 
active, hardier and more docile. 

"The owners of this herd have evidently cre- 
ated an ideal till they have succeeded in pro- 
ducing a highly satisfactory result. The ex- 
periments have no doubt been costly, but the 
primary difficulties appear to me to have now 
been surmounted, and they are now fairly in 



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IMPORTED LORD WILTON G73U, AT i YEARS. 

Bred by C. M. Culbertson. Son of the champions, Lord 

"Wilton and Pretty Face. 



the straight run for the goal of success. There 
is not a doubt that their stock will be constantly 
sought after by breeders desirous of iiii|n'(iviiig 
their own herds. The three runs of Durunihir. 
Corondale, and Mount Kilcoy have wonderful 
capacities for fattening stock — splendid flats 
and gullies, while the ranges are clothed with 
herbage to their very sunnnit, and permanent 
streams of water. It is marvelous to me, how 



AV> 



11 I STO I! V () F II K i; I'. K(> K' 1> (' ATT 1, K 



litllc (ho rosulonts of Hrisliiiiic know alioul this 
\;llil;ilil>' district. 

"WIk'II wo soo a louii-oslalilishoil lioni ol' oon- 
siimiuato oxoolloiu'o. the result of oiio maiTs 
iiiiiul. wo naturally ask oursolvos the quostiou 
how tliaf man hoooiuos possossod of tho juilj;- 
luout ami aooominuivino: iiualitieatious to onahlo 
him to do that work, tho vosults of whit'h aro 
hoforo us. .\ooidont ooiild novor aooouijdish 
suoh high and uniform rosiilts. Somo mon aro 
amongst stock all thoir livos and novor aociuiro 





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RErUESENT.\TIVE SUSSEX COW. 

that knowlodgo. 'riiev can tnuUi]ily animals 
already imi>rovod for thom, hut for thoir livos 
thoy oould not hrood up a family or triho to any 
jirtvonooivod i)attorn. This I\lossrs. MoConnol 
and Wood havo dono ; thoir good oxani]>lo is- 
woll worthy of imitation. Tho groat orror many 
make is oxpooting, after tho ]niroliaso of high- 
bred animals, that groat results will oomo with- 
out oll'ort and un.sought. The host animal is 
nothing unless woll fed. Thoir growth ai\d do- 
veIo|>ment oomes of liberal feeding, and full 
growth and symmetry from full feeding to fat- 
uoss. 

"The oattlo on tlu-so runs aro a proof of our 
argument; witness tho eagornoss with whioli 
thoy aro sought after and tho (piantitios sup- 
plied. Tho nutn who, after buying soleot ani- 
mals, retreats to his shell like a turtle under 
tho idea that ho is possossod of pro]H'rty whioh 
through tho innate foroo of oiroumstanoos will 
retain all tho good it has about it at tho time 
of puroha.so will wake up — Kip Van Winkleliko 
— to iind out the orror of his ways. This fault 
Messrs. Mo(\innol and Wood have not boon guilty 
of. Slowly, stop by sto]\ witii every possible 
care and foretluMight, they have sought to im- 
jirovo thoir stook. Woll havo they siuroedod. 
and if breeders havo any wisdom for thoir pains 
they ought to reap a rioh harvest in the future; 
they most certainly havo deserved it." 

In closing this section of onr W(M'k wo (|uoto 
again from tho sjiooial U. S. Consular Hoports 



(|iago (!l'i) (Ui <-attlo. horoloforo mentioned. 
Consul (Irillin. of Auoklaiul: 

M:W ZKALAXn CATTLE IN THE UNITED STATES. 

••The high olass of cattle in this colony, and 
the low price at which they can be obtained, has 
very naturally attrac'tod tho attention of I'attio 
broodoi-s in tho I'liitod States. In August, 
ISS;!. Mr. A. W. Sisson, of California, dis- 
jiatchod Mr. Ivoliii 1'. Saxt\ a cattle export, to 
\ow Zealand, to ])urohaso for him a band of 
]iuro-bloodod Uorofords. Mr. Saxo arrived in 
Auckland in So|>tombor, ISSo, and after visit- 
ing several of the cattle districts in tho colony, 
purchased 'iO two-yoar-old heifers in calf and 
24 bulls from one to two years from tho Now 
Zealand Stock and Pedigree Co., of Auckland. 
Mr. Saxo was not only surprised at the superb 
condition of tho i'on\pany's cattle, but at tho low 
prices at which they wore sold. They wore 
shipped to San FraiU'isco by the Pacific Alail 
steamer City of Sydney, in October last, being 
tho first shipment of Xew Zealand-bred oattlo 
ever nuido to the United States. 

"Mr. Saxo is of tho opinion that Hereford 
cattle can be more easily and economically 
brought to California from Xew Zealand than 
across tho continent liy railway from Illinois 
and other states colobratod for this particular 
hrood. In Illinois those oattlo sell at from 
$500 to $r),000 per head, whereas thev can be 
bought in Now Zealand at from $100" to $700 
l>or*hoaa. * * *" 

Xi;\V ZEAI.ANtI llEUEFOHDS. 

"The Now Zealand Stook and Pedigree Com- 
pany of Auckland has one of the largest herds 
of pure-bred Herefords in the world. This 
breed has long bivn a favorite one here. Thoy 
are tongh, hardy, and able to pick thoir fooil on 
poor soil, and when two or three years old out- 
woigli any other brood, and aro famous for their 
high-priced meat ; that is to say, their loins 
aro well developed, and thoir yield of succulent 
porterhouse and sirloin are proportionately 
lieavy. Tho hind(]uarters of the pure-bred 
Hereford aro long from the hip backwards. Tho 
thighs aro largo and full and woll moated at 
the hocks. The whole carcass is sot square on 
good, short legs, staiiding woll apart. The tiosh 
is firm, the hide mellow, with soft hair, not too 
fine, but giving the impression that it can bo 
stretched to any extent. 

"The color of this brood is a distinct rod with 
white fai'c, mane, and white breast and logs 
as far as the knee. As an evidence of how they 
stand hard food, it is said that during tho long 
drought of 1878 and 1870, in Australia, about 
five ]>or 0(mt of the Herefords wore lost on a 



HISTORY OF II I<: R K V ( ) H I) ( ' A T T L K 



413 



niii ill (Jiiirnslaiul, ajiaiiist 10 per trnt of the 
Shtirtliorn luTil ami '20 per cent of tJie stud 
Sliortliorii. In one lai'fje paildoek there were 
7(1 Shorthorn anel 70 llererord liulls, one and 
two years ohl. Tlie Shorthorns <;ot so poor 
tliat they had to he turned out on the run, the 
]iaddoeks heiiig hare of jjrass, l)ut the Herefords 
ke|it in good, stronj; eondition. 

"When fajitain t'ook lirst visited New /ca- 
hind tliere were no eattle in the eountry, hut 
at a snl)se(|Ueiit period some were introduced 
from Australia. In the early settlement of the 
colony the leiiirth of the titn<' occupied in a voy- 
Hfie from Kiifjiand and tiic many difficulties 
wliich had to i)e overcome iiy llie pioneers pre- 
vented any sjiecial attention heing given to the 
im]irovement of the hrei'd of eattle hy im])orta- 
tion, as that necessarily involved a heavy ex- 
jienditure of money, not to say anything of 
the time and patience required to introduce 
them ; hut at last the colonists hcgan to im- 
]irove their herds hy the introduction of thor- 
oiighl)reds fi'om Kuro])e, and I have not the 
slightest hesitation in saying that nearly all the 
im])orted cattle thrive hetter in New Zealand 
than in their native homes, and that this supe- 
riority is developed to a still higher degree in 
their offspring." 

HEREFOIiDS FOR Till-; ISLAND OF .TAMAICA. 

Hereford cattle have done remarkalily well 
on this island, and jjurcliases of thoroughbreds 



are still continuing in Kngland for exportation 
to that island. 

On the 10th of N^ovemher, 18S."), a little knot 
of Hereford hreeders gathered at the Southwest 
India docks to see the shipment, hy the ship 
Catil), of six thoroughhred Herefords to that 
distant island. ]\Tr. John Malcolm, of Paltal- 
Idch at Kiinrkallia. ami li'ftrieve, I'enn., in 
America, was the ]inixhasri'. Mr. Malcolm 
personally superintended the loading, and he, 
in company with other friends who had come uj) 
fnim Hereford to see them olf. were entertained 
at luncheon by the captain. Mi-. N'icary. The 
lot of Herefords comprised two bulls and four 
heifers. The bulls were Lemon Boy 2d, bred 
by Mr. 1'. .1. Hughes, and Benjamin 17th, bred 
by Messrs. ,1. B. & (J. II. (ii'een, of Marlow, 
Li'intwardine. This bull was a year and a half 
old, and said to be a good one. TJie four heifers 
wiTc all yearlings past, and named, respectively, 
Miss ITamar 2d. Countess 10th, Miss Silver 
7th, Miss Xobleinan 8th. They were all bred 
by Mr. Thomas ^lyddleton, of Beckjay, Aston- 
on-Clum, and were an extraordinary good lot. 
These four heifers were picked out of ten 
heifers shown by Mr. Myddleton at the Glouces- 
tershire show, they going to the show off the 
grass and beating a like number shown by 
.loliii Price and others. These cattle are going 
to join a large and valualde herd (d' Herefords 
that have been bred in .Jamaica since 183.5. 




REPRESENTATIVE DEVON COW. 



414 



11 1 S T K Y F H E R E F R D CATTLE 



CHAPTER XXXYIII. 

Herefords on the Block 



The following items in regard to the beef 
price of Hereford cattle as they ranged from 
1881 to 188(j, taken as they are from publica- 
tions of those dates, give information as to the 
actual cash value of the Herefords: 

IIEKEFORD BULLOCKS IX LOXDOX. 

Mr. George T. Turner says in a letter to the 
"National Live Stock Journal": "The Here- 
ford bullock in London is quite a season animal, 
and comes only as grass-fed beef in the late 
summer and autumn, then it tops the market, 
for there is no better grass beef sent to London 
than the Hereford, except the West Highland- 
ers, which are older and few in number. These 
generally make prices which are above the ordi- 
nary top quotations. The Polled Scotch cattle 
are stall-fed, and do not come under the same 
category as the Herefords." 

THK LOXnoX METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET. 

On ilonday, Jan. 16, 1883, the best supplies 
comprised a fairly conditioned assortment ; a 
few choice Scots brought 6s. per stone, but the 
more current topping rates for first quality 
Scots, Devons and Herefords were 5s. 8d. to 
5s. lOd. ; Shorthorn, 5s. 4d. to 5s. 6d., occa- 
sionally 5s. 8d. Some Danish cattle were on 
offer, and ranged from 4s. 8d. to 5s. 4d., and in 
a few instances 5s. 6d. At Deptford there were 
about 1,100 head, comprising Dutch, French 
and American ; the top rates for the two latter 
were about 5s. 4d. to 5s. 6d. 

This, in the language of American reports, 
would he quoted about as follows: 

Live, Dressed, 

per cwt. per lb. 

West Highland Scots, extra choice.? in. 75 18%c 

Choice Herefords, Scots and Devons. 10.50 17%@18%c 

Shorthorns, extra choice 10.00 17%c 

Choice Shorthorns 9.50® 9.75 16V4@17e 

nnnish and French S. 25® 9.50 14H@16'/ic 

Americans 9.50@ 9.75 16i^(5)17c 

It is said that the quality of the best Amer- 
ican beef is such that when dressed it is often 
sold as British raised, and that it is impossible 



to do this with the product of any other coun- 
try. 

UEKEFORD COW JEXNIE. 

The Hereford cow Jennie, that won and took 
the chamijion prize as the best cow at the Fat 
Stock Show in 1878, and won, but did not take 
it at the same show in 1879, was slaughtered 
and dressed at Providence, R. L, December 5, 
1879, by T. M. Lincoln & Co., of that place. 
We give below a letter of Messrs. Lincoln & Co. 
to Mr. Imboden (Tj 261) (one of the best judges 
developed by the American Fat Stock Show), 
showing the dressed weight and their opinion as 
to the character of the meat : 

Providence, R. I., Dec. 11, 1879. 
Mr. J. G. Imboden. 

Dear Sir : I n answer to your letter of Nov. 
21st, concerning the Hereford heifer, Jennie, 
will say that she was dressed last Friday. The 
day before dressing she was exhibited in front 
of our store, and attracted considerable atten- 
tion. She dressed a very pretty color, and is 
very thick, and mixed beautifully. Her per- 
centage of shrinkage was the lightest of any- 
thing that has been dressed about here. 

Her live weight is given as she weighed 
the dav she was dressed, which you see is 98 
pounds less than her Chicago weight. Live 
weight, 1,623. 

DRESSED WEIGHT. 

Lbs. Lbs. 

Meat 1,110 Liver 12 

Hide 92 Heart 8V4 

Tallow 154 Tongue 5 



Total 1,3 



Total 25'/4 



Shrinkage 16.39 per cent, and meat 68.44. 
The caul, which weighed 37 pounds, is included 
in the 154 pounds of tallow. The weight of 
the meat in quarters, hinds being cut with one 
rib on them, is 367 and 264 for hinds, and 
387 and 292 for the fores. 

Yours respectfullv, 

T. M. LixcoLX & Co. 

On November 27, 1882. the beef market in 
London, England, was quoted as follows : 



Ills '1' () H \' OF II E E E FORD C A T T L E 



415 



"Cattk', wltii'h iuv not ;it all jiU'iitil'ul, iiiaiii- 
tain .steady value. Hereford^, Scots and Dev- 
ons wove (luoted at 18iJ to 1!).| cents jwr lb. 
dressed; Shorthorns at 17 ;4 to 18^c." 

The ••('hamber of Agriculture Journal" 
(Enjr.), of Monday, December 4, 188"^, .*peak- 
iiig of the cattle market in London, savs: 

"Herefords sold for 18ijc to 19ic; Shorthorns 
at ITJc to 18Jc," making a difference of l^c 
per pound in favor of the Herefords. Danish 
cattle (|Uoted at ITc; Canadian from ll^c to 
15c; Swedish, 14c to 14^c. 

liKKKFOHI) .STEERS DRESSED. 

We republish from an eastern paper the fol- 
lowing account of two Hereford steers which 
were exhibited at the New York State Fair 
(1882), when' they won first and second jirizes. 
They were purchased and slaughtered by John 
Battersby, l)utcher, of Albany. The beef of the 
two weighed in the aggregate 3,370 pounds. 
The beef in the carcass of the steer George was 
(i3 per cent of live weight, and of Pierre, (59 
per cent. With hide and tallow the former 
turned out 80 per cent, the latter 87 per cent. 
The lean was finely streaked with fat, and was 
of a rich texture. The following was the result 
in detail : 

Pierre. George, 

lbs. lbs. 

Weight before killing 2.310 2,.i75 

Ucef 1,590 1,668 

Tallow 147 215 

Hide 128 HI 

Liver 23 19 

Tongue 10 10 

Heart 7 8 

Total 1,905 2,074 

This beef was graded at the West Albany 
market as first-elass. — Breeders' Journal, 1883. 

THE FIRST HEREFORD RA\(!E STEERS. 

Some very fine distillery-fed cattle were re- 
cently marketed at Chicago. They were half- 
blood Herefords, originally from the Wyoming 
ranch of Swan Brothers; in fact, they were the 
first fruits of the bulls of that breed which they 
took out to the ranch some three or four years 
ago. The lot numbered 75 head, averaged 1,380 
pounds, and sold at $6.15 per cwt., which was at 
least 25 cents per hundred more than any other 
cattle sold for on the day of tlieir arrival. They 
sold to .\rmour & Co. (U •U\->). to dress at Chi- 
cago and be forwarded in refrigerator cars to a 
Xew York butcher who makes a specialty of 
liandling the be.st grades of beef. The lot 
dressed sixty-four pounds per hundred, an ex- 
traordinary rword, being aljout eight pounds 
above the average. The lot attracted imu-li at- 



tention, and was inspected by numerous breed- 
ers of note, the most of whom came for the 
express purpose of seeing the first really large 
lot of Herefords that has been marketed. On 
the same day and with the .same lot was a large 
shipment of ordinary range cattle that had been 
slop-fed the same length of time as the half- 
bloods, which averaged 1,309 pounds and sold 
at $5.75. A few practical lessons like that, 
showing in actual figures the value of improved 
blood, carry more weight than almost any 
amount of theorizing. — Breeders' Journal,18S'3. 

COJIP.\R.\TIVE PK1CE§ IX LONDON. 

From the "Farmer and Chamber of Agricul- 
ture Journal" (England) we get the market 
reports at Smithfield on the 2d of June, 1884. 
There were in the Metropolitan Cattle Market 
on that day about 2,400 beasts, and the best 
Scots, Herefords, etc., were 5s. 4d. to 5s. 6d. 
(or IGic to 17ic dres.sed, equal to $9.50 to $10 
per cwt. alive) per eight pounds. The best 
Shorthorns were sold at from 5s. 2d. to 5s. 4d. 
(or IGc to 16^c per lb. dressed and $9 to $9.50 
per cwt. alive) ; the second quality beasts, 
which were made largely from Shorthorn blood, 
were selling at from 4s. to 4s. lOd. (or 12^c to 
15e dressed and $7 to $8.50 per cwt. alive). 

The above are about the regular comparative 
quotations that appear in the English jour- 
nals from week to week. The Scots and Here- 
fords stand within the range of 5s. 4d. to 5s. 6d., 
which means about $1.33 to $1.37^ for a stone 
of 8 pounds weight. The best Shorthorns stand 
at $1.29 to $1.33, and then comes in a quality 
below the best, which makes from $1 to $1.20. 
Dividing these sums by eight shows the price 
per pound of meat, making no account of the 



1 


i^^^fl 


Bk. 


' 1 




'^•n'iil 




__j 



TYPICAL SHOP.THORN BULL. 

offal. This second quality is a feature that 
exists in all markets in reference to the Short- 
horn cattle, which brings the average very 
much below the Scots and Herefords. The 
Scots and Herefords have that uniform char- 



416 



HISTOEY OF HE KP] FORD CATTLE 



acter that is rcprt-sented between $1.33 and 
$1.37^. — Breeders' Journal, 1884. 

ANOTHER SALE OF RANGE STEERS. 

The Swans showed at Union Stock Yards, 
Chicago, Hereford steers raised on the range, 
and fed at their feeding stables at Omaha dis- 
tilleries. 

A lot of 20 choice two-year-old grade Here- 
ford steers, averaging 1,835 pounds, sold at 
$6.75 to Bailey & Co., of Evanston. At the 
same time a car of natives of the same age, 
weighing 1,116 ponnds, sold to Armour & Co., 
at $().1(), and twenty-eight tailings sold at $5.75. 
They had sold the week previous sixteen head 



" 


■■ 


^1 


"*% 




^1 




-■- -- 


T^^^ 



of grade Hereford steers, averaging 1,443 
pounds, to Wolfe & Pfaelzer, at $6.30. This lot 
dressed 64^ per cent of beef. — Breeders' Jour- 
naJ, 1884. 

MR. FUNKIIOUSER's STEERS. 

Janu's A. Funkhouser, I'lattsburg, Mo., sold 
in Chicago, on Dec. 10, 1886, seyen yearling 
grade Hereford steers at $6.50 per hundred. 
They were shipped to Albany, X. Y., where 
they were killed, and from Chicago to New 
York they only shrunk fourteen pounds per 
head. 

Weight of seven steers in Chicago, Dec. 10, 
1886, 9,490 pounds; killed bv Wilev Bros., Al- 
bany, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1886: ' 



1 steer 
1 Steer 
1 Steer 
1 Steer 
1 Steer 



Gross Wt. 

in Albany. 

.,,.1280 

.,,,1310 

,,,.1350 

....WSiO 

....1390 



Vi^eight of Per cent, 
beef. net to gross wt. 
835 :,..65,23 



.65.70 
.64,14 
,63,60 



.6044. ..average of.. 64,36 



Total Weight .,..9390 

Weight of hides, 660 pounds ; weight of tal- 
low, 747 pounds ; per cent of profitable weight 



(carcass, hide and tallow) to gross or live 
weight, average 79.36. 

We wish to call attention to the fact that 
through a journey of 836 miles the seven 
steers made a shrinkage of only 100 pounds, 
or 14 pounds each. 

It is a peculiarity of the Herefords that they 
make less shrinkage than any other breed in 
traveling, whether by rail or foot. 

Another feature — the average price for these 
yearling steers at Chicago was a fraction under 
$84. — Breeders' Journal, 1887. 

SOME MAINE STEERS. 

At tlio New England and Eastern Maine, 
Maine State and one local fair. North Kenne- 
bec, Messrs. Burleigh & Bodwell, Vassalbor- 
nugli, Maine, exhibited 18 Hereford steers on 
which they were awarded 33 premiums, 24 of 
which were first prizes. These cattle took every 
•first premium offered for pairs of fat cattle 
over two years, and every first prize on matched 
cattle. They were then taken to Boston and 
arranged in front of the Quincy House, and 
then arrayed before Faneuil Hall Market, with 
their beautiful red coats and white faces, their 
symmetrical forms, combined with the rarest 
quality, which, added to their great weights, 
considering age, made this a sight of a life- 
time. They were then slaughtered. The dressed 
weight and shrinkage of these steers were as 
follows: 

Age. Shrinkage, Net Wt. 

Description. Yrs. Per cent. Lbs, 

1 Pair 5 ' 20Vi 335G 

1 Pair 5 20 3253 

1 Pair 5 26 2fi.S3 

1 Pair 4 201,4 2829 

1 Pair 4 23% 2781 

1 Steer 3 19 1403 

1 Steer 3 23 1451 

1 Pair 3 24 2457 

1 Pair 3 22 2341 

1 Pair 27 months 2VA 1942 

— Breeders' Journal, 1885. 

KANSAS CITY FAT STOCK SHOW, 1885. 

Awards were as follows: 

For best three-year-old carcass — Texas Jack 
(Hereford bull on Texas cow) ; W. E. Camp- 
bell, breeder, feeder and exhibitor. 

For best two-year-old carcass — Fred (Here- 
ford) ; J. S. Hawes, breeder, feeder and exhib- 
itor. 

For best one-year-old carcass — Kansas (Gal- 
loway) ; M. R. Piatt, breeder, feeder and ex- 
hibitor. 

Sweepstakes for the best carcass in the show 
—Fred (U 264) (Hereford steer) ; J. S. Hawi>s, 
breeder, feeder and exhibitor. 

Tliese animals do not show as heavy weight's 
or dress so large a per cent as the dressed car- 
casses at the Chicago Fat Stock Show, but the 



IllSTOliY OK 



(liU'slioM iiKiy Ih' fairly raiscil as to uiietlu'r 
till' foiiHimuT, tlu'v may not lie Fully as goo( 
Woi'all atti'iitioii to till' laft that a c-ross- 
Ili'i-cronl and Toxan takes the first as a threu- 
yi'ar-olil, ami a ihoroufihUrcd Ilercfortl wins as 
a two-year-old, and also sweepstakes for best 



II E H E FORD C ATTL K 

for 

red 



41T 



■ think we may safely say that no equal 
;iy of high-fe<l and ripe hulloeks, |)rizi' 



W 

disp 

sheep and wonderful hogs was ever made I 
any one man in this country, and those who 
had seen like exhibits in England said tliev had 
never seen the quality of the meat surpassed. 



DRESSED CARCASSES AT THE KANSAS CITY FAT STOCK SHOW FOR issr, 



OwiKT. Breed. Name. weight 

at time of 
slaughter. 

W. E. Campbell Hereford and Texan Texas Jack Ifiafj 

W. .Miirgan & Son Hereford Jock 171)0 

J. S. Hawes Hereford Fred 1725 

G. S. Burleigh Hereford Star 1300 

H. Blakesley Shorthorn Arabella Beauty. 1715 

W. H. H. Cundiff Shorthorn Angelica 13th. ...1510 

B. n. Millctt Shorthorn Queen 1475 

J. H. I'otts Shorthorn Hopeful 1535 

A. B. .Matthews Galloway Matthews' Pet. ..2090 

M. K. Piatt Galloway Kansas 1320 

W. R. Estill Aberdeen Angus Bloom 1180 



:.cft Right Left Right 

ore fore hind hind 

arter. quarter, quarter, quarter. 



2451^ 
314 

2041/4 



eareass; a Galloway taking first as yearling. 
Thus a two-year-old Hereford takes the sweep- 
stakes at Kansas City and C'hieago Fat Stock 
Shows as the i)est dressed carcass. 

At the Kansas City Show, in the competi- 
tion between lireeds, the Ilerefords took only 
one premium, and that went to Mr. Jas. A. 
Funkhouser for Challenge, under one year old, 
liy Invincible, iiy Success. But on carcasses 
they took two out of three, aud sweepstakes. 
That is something like old-time reading. — 
Breeders' Journal, 1885. 

I'Rix.i: iii;i;i'' at dktuuit. 

At the late Fat Stock Show ( 18.SI)) at Chi- 
cago the judges decided, we hope, to the best 
of their al)ility, but the only true criterion for 
beef cattle to be judged by is the butcher's 
block. Recognizing this truth, .Mr. T. L. Mil- 
ler, of this place, wishing to see his Herefords 
slaughttred in competition with the animals 
against which he sliowed, having bought some 
of the latter, sold three head of Herefords, and 
the J. H. Potts t^- Son's two-year-old Shorthorn 
steer to Win. Smith & Son, the best butchers in 
Detroit. Mr. Smith had already bought the 
first and second jiremiuni Shorthorn cows in 
their classes, to the largest of which cows the 
atile ( 'i) judges also awarded the cham]iion 
])rize for the best cow in the show. These ani- 
mals with many others were all purchased by 
^Ir. \\'illiaiii Smith to make his usual dis[)lay 
of Christmas beef. The hanging up of so much 
valuable meat, and ])articularly the ojiportunity 
which it afforded of seeing Hereford and Short- 
born beef hung up side by side, drew together 
large crowds. Stock breeders were there from 
Canada, Ohio, and Illinois, and even men from 
the distant Western plains. 



In fact, the display took all by storm, and it 
was universally acknowledged by all who saw 
it — and there were thousands — that it was im- 
possible to make a better show. 

Mr. Smith occupies stall No. 1 and 2 in 
Mansfield Market, Detroit. His Christmas dis- 
play consisted of twenty-eight head of prize 
beef animals, one hundred and twenty head of 
prize sheep (quite a number oj' them having 
WQii honors at the .Chicago Fat Stock Show), 
and prize Suffolk and Esse.x hogs. 

Mr. T. L. Miller's prize three-year-old Here- 
ford heifer, "Maid of Orleans,'' hung in a con- 




SHORTHORN STEER. CLEVELAND, 

At 497 days. Weight 1.2S0 lbs. Most perfect Shorthorn 

bullock ever produced in America. Practically 

approximating the Hereford type. 

spicuous place, and was a center of attraction; 
her massive form and deep me.it, combined with 
rounds and chine that could not be excelled, 
drew forth the praises of all. The carcasses 
of the two Shorthorn cows that showed against 
the "'Maid of Orleans" for sweepstakes at Chi- 
cago were quartered and hung up, so an exact 



418 



H 1 8 1' n V () F 11 E R E F () II I) VA T T L E 



opinion of their value as beef animals could be 
formed. Mr. Wm. Smith, who, by the way, 
is one of the best judges of a beef animal, 
either alive or dressed, in the country, pro- 
nounced the meat of the Shorthorn cow that 
took the sweepstakes not worth within a cent a 
pound of what the second Shorthorn cow was, 
and that the Hereford cow "Maid of Orleans" 
was worth a cent more per pound than the 
best Shorthorn, making her two cents per pound 
better than the cow that was awarded the sweep- 
stakes. 

Mr. Smith said the meat that he considered 
the best of the whole exhibit were the Here- 
ford carcasses, and that he could not ask for 
anything better ; the marbling of the meat was 
perfect, and that the following were the live 
and dressed weights of three of the steers : 



Live 

Weight 

at 



Per cent 
Dressed Dressed 
Weiglit to 

at Live 

Detroit. Weiglit. 

971 G7.G 



1045 



(15,6 



Detroit. 
T. L. Miller's two-year-olii Roll Roy.. 143G 
J. H. Potts & Son's Shortliorn two- 
year-old 1590 

G.S.Burleigh's yearling Hereford.. 1300 

The above figures show that the Hereford 
steer Rob Roy dressed two per cent to the hun- 
dred more than the Shorthorn steer of J. H. 
Potts & Son. The quality of the Hereford steer 
carcass could not be excelled. He dressed a very 
white, nice color, and the fat was distributed 



throughout the lean, presenting one of the best 
samples of marbled meat that we ever saw. 
Wishing to test the quality of meat by taste 
as well as sight, we procured some juicy steaks 
from this carcass, for which Mr. Smith could 
not hear of pay, and we returned him our 
hearty thanks. These steaks were cooked at 
a restaurant, and partaken of by a party of 
stock breeders, who are well calculated to judge 
of its qualities, having largely traveled both 
in this country and Europe. The unanimous 
verdict was ''unsurpassed." — Breeders' Jour- 
nal, 1881. 

It was by the constant publication in the 
"Breeders' Journal" of such facts as these that 
we were able to get and keep the Herefords be- 
fore the public. We were among the first agri- 
cultural publishers to send large numbers of 
free sample copies to lists of people we desired 
to interest, and by this method we not only 
l)rought the "Breeders' Journal" to the notice 
of agriculturists, thereby gaining largely in our 
paid subscription list, but we brought the Here- 
ford breed and its merits before the farmers 
and ranchmen of America in a manner never 
before attempted. 

We liave been deeply gratified by the fruits 
born of these efforts, but confess that at the 
time they were inade we were secretly some- 
what annoyed that they were not fully appre- 
ciated by the very men most benefited. 




GRACE, PURE-BRED COW, WEIGHT 1,875 LBS. 
E-xhibited at Chicago Fat Stocli Show, Fed by J 
Gosling, 



HI.STUKY OF IIEllEFUllD CxVTTLE 



419 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 



Fair and Fat Stock Sikjw Kepouts 



(IIMIAXIZATIOX OF THE NEW YOKK STATE FA IK 
AND CATTLE SHOW IX 1841. 

Tlie following is the record: 

Senate Chamber, Albany, Jan. 11, 3 p. ji. 

Mot pursuant to adjournnient, H. D. Grove, 
Ks(|., one of the Vice-Presidents, iu tlic chair. 
The connnittee appointed to nominate officers 
made their report, which was read and ac- 
cepted, and the following gentlemen were unan- 
imously I'lected officers of the Society for the 
ensuing year: Joel B. Knott, of x^^lbany, Presi- 
dent. Vice-Presidents: 1st District, Jcromus 
Johnson, of Kings; 2d, Kobert Deniston, of 
Orange; 3d, Caleb N. Bement, of Albany; 
4th, Edward C. Delevan, of Saratoga; 5th, 
Beniamin P. Johnson, of Oneida; 6th. Lewis 
\. Morrell, of Tomkins; 7th, Willis Gay- 
lord, of Onondaga; 8th, T. C. Peters, of 
Genesee. Additional ilembers of the Execu- 
tive Committee: Alexander Walsh, of Rensse- 
laer; George Vail, of Rensselaer; Henry D. 
Grove, of Rensselaer; A. L. Linn, of Schenec- 
tady; John D. ilclntyre, of Albany; Henry S. 
Randall, of Cortland, Corresponding Secretary; 
Ezra P. Prentice, of Albany, Treasurer; Lu- 
ther Tucker, of Albany, Recording Secretary. 

On the third Wednesday in March, at a meet- 
ing of the Executive Committee, consisting of 
Messrs Knott, Bement, Vail, Pr^'uticc. M(dn- 
tyre and Tucker, committees were appointed for 
each county. At a meeting on the third Wednes- 
day of May, present, Bement, Knott, Prentice, 
Walsh and Tucker, the time and place for hold- 
ing the first Fair was fixed to be at Syracuse, 
Sejjt. 2!Uh and iJOth, and the premium list was 
arranged and ])ul)lished. At a meeting of the 
Evecutiv(> Committee of the N^ew York State 
.\gricidtural Society, held at Syracuse, Aug. 
IS. 1841. present: Messrs. Knott, Johnson (of 
Oneida). Gaylord, Randall and Tucker, the fol- 
lowing Viewing Committees were appointi'd to 
award the premiums ollcred by the Society at 



their cattle Show and Fair to be held at Syra- 
cuse on the 29th and 30th days of September: 

ON CATTLE. 

Class I. — BuUs of anv breed, 3 years old and upwards — 
Henry S. Randall. Cortland; A. B. Allen. Erie; C. N. 
Bement, Albany: William Garbutt, Monroe; J. D. Mc- 
Intyre, Albany. 

Classes II and III. — Bulls of any breed under 3 years old — 
Francis Rotch, Otsego; Henry Rhoades, Oneida; J. C. 
Hathaway, Ontario; Geo. Vail, Rensselaer; George J. 
Pumpelly, Tioga. 

Class IV. — Cows of any breed, 3 years old and upwards — 
Anthony Van Bergen. Greene; E. P. Prentice, Albany; 
Thomas Hollis. Otsego; Ira Hitchcock, Oneida; Hiram 
Bostwicic, Chemung. 

Classes V and VI.— Heifers, any improved breed under 3 
years — Lewis F. Allen, Erie; Silas Gaylord. Onondaga; 
Thomas Weddle, Monroe; John Gaskin, Otsego; Jonah 
Davis, Chemung. 

Class VII. — Grade cows — Garret Sacket. Seneca; C. S. 
Button, Wayne; M. Bullock. Albany; Thomas Goodsell, 
Oneida; William Ottley, Ontario. 

Class VIII.— Grade heifers— S. W. Brace, Onondaga; John 
M. Sherwood, Cayuga: William Alexander, Otsego; D. D. 
Campbell, Schenectady; Rufus Boies, Cortland. 

Class IX. — Cows, native breeds — Myron Adams, Ontario: 

Thomas S. Meacham. Oswego; Aaron Barnes, Oneida; • 

Crane, Herkimer; Tyler Fountain, Westchester. 

To Breeders — F. Rotch, Esq., having given 
the Society $30, for that purpose, premiums 
will be awarded to breeders as follows: To 
the breeder of the best thoroughbred bull, 
$10; to the breeder of the best thoroughbred 
cow, $10; to the breeder of the best thorough- 
bred heifer, $10. 

FOR WORKING OXEN. 

William Gaylord, Esq., having contributed 
$20 for that purpose, a premium will be given 
for the best yoke of working oxen, $12 ; for the 
second best yoke of working oxen, $8. In award- 
ing this premium, particular reference will be 
had to the close matching, excellent training 
and docility of the animals, as well as to their 
general good appearance. Committee : Abel 
Baldwin, David Bundy, and Dan Hibbard. 

Fat Cattle — Mr. Rust offers a sweepstakes, 
twenty dollars entrv, for the best voke of fat 
cattle! Committee': B. P. Johnson, B. D. 
Noxon, and M. D. Burnett. 

A plowing match, under the direction of the 
Onondaga County Agricultural Society, will 
take place immediately after the trial of plows, 
on the second dav of the Fair, 



420 



HISTORY OF HEKEFORD CATTLE 



The firf?t Agricultural Fair was held at Syra- 
cuse, on the 29th of September (29-30), 18-11. 
About 1,200 sat down to dinner at the Syracuse 
House. An address was delivered by the Hon. 
Micah Sterling, followed by L. F. Allen and 
others. 

The following are the awards given at this 
show: 

CATTLE. 

Class I — Bulls — 3 Years Old and Over. 
To J. M. Sherwood, Auburn, for his bull 
Archer, bred 
by F. Rotch, 




teles, for his bull Splendid, 4th prize. 

"There were several others animals (in this 
class) on the ground, possessing, in the esti- 
mation of your committee, high grades of excel- 
lence, and they only regret that the premiums 
were not more numerous. Among these your 
committee particularly noticed the animals of 
Mr. Mclntyre, Mr. Van Bergen, Mr. Fonda, 
and Mr. Sears." — Eeport of the Committee. 

Class II— Bulls— 2 Years Old. 

To John Johnston, Favette, Seneca Co., for liis 

bull Royal William, bred by G. V. Sacket, 

Seneca Falls, 1st prize. 
To Thomas A. Clark, Chittenango, for his bull 

Young Warden, bred by Thomas Hollis, 

Gilbertsville, 2d prize. 
To D. D. Campbell, Schenectady, for his bull 

Rotterdam, bred by himself, 3d prize. 
To Nicholas Garner, Burlington, for his bull 

, bred by himself, 4th prize. 

Class III— Bulls— 1 Year Old. 

To Moses Kinnev, Cortlandville, for his hull 
Daniel Webster, bred by G. V. Sacket, Sen- 
eca Falls, 1st prize. 

To Enoch Marks, Navarino, for his bull Brutus, 
2d prize. 

To Benjamin Stoker, Cortland Co., for his bull 
, 3d prize. 



To Joseph Baker, Onondaga Co., for his bull 

, 4th prize. 

"Your committee beg leave to express their 
regret that though the exhibition in Classes 
II and III were very numerous, yet but few of 
the animals were in what they considered com- 
mon store order, which rendered the effect of 
comparison with such as were high fed very 
difficult." — Report of Committee. 

Class IV — Cows. 

To John M. Sherwood, Auburn, for his cow 
Stella, bred by F. Eotch, five years old, 1st 
prize. 
To Ezra Prentice, Albany, for his cow Daisy, 

3 years old, bred by himself, 2d prize. 
To John M. Sherwood, Auburn, for his cow 

Daisy, 12 years old, 3d prize. 
To John M. Sherwood, Auburn, for his cow 
Pansy, 5 years old, bred by F. Rotch, 4th 
prize. 
To Corning & Sotham, Albany, for their Here- 
ford cow Matchless, imported, an extra 
prize, equal to the highest premium 
awarded on cattle. 
"Your committee further report that a new 
and beautiful race of cattle were presented for 
their examination, the Herefords, imported by 
a distinguished breeder of cattle, residing in 
Albany County, which they take pleasure in 
recommending to the attention of those who 
desire to improve their stock. Your commit- 
tee recommend a special premium of twenty 
dollars for the Hereford cow Matchless, as we 
consider her a very superior animal, and they 
would also suggest the propriety of oifering and 
awarding premiums for the best blooded ani- 
mals of each individual breed — improved Short- 
horned Durhams, Herefords, and Devons, at 
their next Agricultural Meeting, in addition to 
the premiums offered for the best animals of 
any breed." — Report of Committee. 

Class V— Two- Year-Old Heifers. 

To John M. Sherwood, Auburn, for his heifer 
Sylvia, bred by F. Rotch, 1st prize. 

To E. P. Prentice, Albany, for his heifer Diana, 
bred by himself, 2d prize. 

To Corning & Sotham, Albany, for their Short- 
horn and Hereford heifer Eliza, imported, 
3d prize. 

Class VT — Yearling Heifers. 

To Ezra P. Prentice, Albany, for his yearling 
calf Charlotte, bred by himself. 1st prize. 

Tn John M. Sherwood, Auburn, for his year- 
ling calf Noma, bred by H. S. Randall, 
Cortlandville, 2d prize. 

To John M. Sherwood, Auburn, for his yearling 



' II 1 S T U Y OF HEREFORD C A T T L E 



421 



heifor Dianlhe, bn-d iiy .1. Alcxamlcr, Bur- 
lington, 'id prize. 
To William Fuller, Skaneateles, for his heil'ur 

calf , bred by himself, -itli prize. 

"All the animals on which the above prizes 
were awarded, with the exception of the Here- 
ford cow and the Shorthorn and Hereford 
heifer of Messrs. Corning & Sothani, were thor- 
oughbred Shorthorns." — Report of Commitlec. 

Class YII — Grade Cows. 

To Wm. Ward, Camillus, for his eight-year-old 

half-blood Holderness cow, 1st prize. 
To W. H. Sothani, Perch Lake Farm, for his 

half-blood Durham cow Xo. 1, "^d prize. 
To' W. H. Sotham, Perch Lake Farm, for his 

' half-blood Durham cow No. 3, 3d prize. 
To W. H. Sotham, Perch Lake Farm, for his 
half-blood Devonshire cow, -Ith prize. 
"The best grade cow which came under our 
observation belonged to G. V. Sacket, of Sen- 
eca Falls, but he, being one of the committee, 
generously withdrew her from competition." — 
Report of Committee. 

Class VIII— Grade Heifers. 

To H. S. Randall, Cortlandville, for his roan 

heifer, bred by himself, 1st prize. 
To G. V. Sacket, Seneca Falls, for his red and 

white heifer, bred by himself, 'id jirize. 
To G. V. Sacket, Seneca Falls, for his roan 

heifer, bred by himself, 3d prize. 
To H. S. Randall, Cortlandville, for his red 

and white heifer, bred by himself, 4th 

prize. 

Class IX — Xative Cows. 
"The Committee on Xtitive Cows would re- 
port that very few cows, and those of inferior 
(|nality, were to be foimd in the pens; and they 
jirobably not intended for exhibition. They re- 
gret that the farmers in this vicinity should 
luive refrained from taking advantage of the 
very liberal encouragement offered by this So- 
ciety, by the false impression that cows were 
going to be brought from a distance which 
would have eclipsed the cows of this neighbor- 
hood. We are unwilling to believe that there 
are not cows in this village and vicinity that 
would have honored the exhibition and made 
a credit to the State. They regret that a mat- 
ter so important as the improvement of our 
native cows does not excite more attention. 
Such cows must, of necessity, be the ground- 
work of much of the improvement in cattle. If 
a farmer has a cow possessing some excellent 
qualities, he is prepared to improve in any de- 
sirable point. The general dissemination of 
iiigh-blood animals renders such crossings easv 



and cheap, and it is a matter yet at issue 
whether such crosses will not make the most 
desirable animals for the common farmer. Wc 
want the best native cows for such crosses, and 
the committee are of the opinion that the Ex- 
ecutive Committee of the State Society are hold- 
ing out liberal encouragement for active com- 
petition in the matter of improving our native 
cattle. In conclusion we would add that we 
hope that no future committee will be under 
tlie necessity of reporting 'no competition," but 
let the farmer, the lawyer, the merchant, and 
mechanic bring forward their best cows, and 
render it a matter of nice discrimination to 
decide between them." — Report of Committee. 

■WORKING OXEN. 

To Caleb Gasper, Marcellus, 1st prize. 

To Samuel Allen, Jr., Xew Haven, 2d i^rize. 

FAT CATTLE. 

To p. N. Rust, Syracuse, for the best yoke of 
fat oxen, one of which was bred by G. V. 
Sacket, 1st prize. 

BULL CALVES. 

To Ezra P. Prentice, Albany, for his thorough- 
bred improved Durham Ijull calf Homer, G 
months old, bred by himself, 1st prize. 

To Samuel Phelps, Ira, for his grade Devon- 
shire, 3d prize. 

TO BREEDEliS. 

To Francis Rotch, Butternuts, as the breeder 

of the best bull, prize. 
To the same, as the 

breeder of the 

best cow, prize. 
To the same, as the 

breeder of the 

best 2-year-old 

heifer, prize. 
"The premium to 
breeders having 
been offered by Mr. 
Rotch, he declined 
receiving more than 
a certificate of the 
award, leaving the 
money ($30) with 
the Society to be of- 
fered in premiums 
for the same ]nir- 
pose next year." — Report of Committee. 

The foregoing we copy from the Xew York 
State Agricultural Report, 1841. We call at- 
tention to the extracts from the report of com- 
mittees. This system should be enlarged and 
revised in present-day shows. Judges should 
be obliged to give written reasons for awards. 




422 



H I S T R Y OF HE R E F R D C; A T T L E 



It will be noticed that all thoroughbreds 
showed in the competitions ; that the commit- 
tee made the recommendation that classes 
should he made for each breed ; that they would 
not allow the Hereford to compete, but rec- 
ommended a special premium to the Hereford 




ROYAL GROVE (9137) 21500. 
Bred by P. Turner. Herefordshire. Sensational buU, ex- 
hibited at Chicago Fat Stock Show, 1875. 

COW Matchless, exhibited by Messrs. Corning 
& Sotham; and in looking over the names of 
the officers of the Society and the names of 
exhibitors, tliat they are in many instances the 
same; among them, Mr. H. S. Randall, who 
took so prominent a position in opposition to 
Mr. Sotham and the Herefords. 

We are not disposed to charge fraud on these 
managers, l)ut we have the right to show, as 
we have done in the Sotham-Randall contro- 
versy and the Youatt-Berry History of British 
Cattle, that these parties were in the interest 
of Shorthorns, and if Randall, Prentice, Allen, 
etc., as Shorthorn men, took the control of the 
New Y'ork State Fair, they would, as a matter 
of course, give the preference to that breed of 
cattle. 

This was manifest in the Rust ox, which took 
the first premium as best fat ox. While they 
gave him the premium, they claimed him as 
a Shorthorn, and gave that breed the credit, 
whereas he undoulitedly owed what quality he 
had to the Hereford. 

THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 
RECORD. 

From the published records of the Board, 
we have taken pains to get together the names 
of the important officers and of the judges on 
Herds and Sweepstakes in the cattle depart- 
ments. Leaving nothing to memory, we sub- 
mit here the names of these judges and their 
residences so far as the reports of the society 
give them. It will be remembered that these 



judges passed upon the merits of cattle of dif- 
ferent breeds, competing against each other. 
In 1872 John P. Reynolds was superintendent, 
and the Judges on Herds were as follows: 
John M. Milliken, Ohio ; John H. Bacon, Iowa ; 
M. Smith, McLean Co., 111. ; J. Reece, Warren 
Co., 111.; W. H. Russell, Marion Co., III. 
Judges on Herds got bv one Bull : J. R. Miller, 
Casevville. 111.; John" Kellv. Heyworth, 111.; 
John H. Potts, Jacksonville^ 111.;" J. \V. Hop- 
kins, Granville, 111.; J. F. Coe, Sterling, 111. 

1873: John P. Reynolds, President; Emory 
Cobb, W. H. Russell, Superintendents. Judges 
on Herds: G. Barnes, Canton; D. Rankin, 
Biggsville; J. C. Mosier, Kankakee; H. C. 
Reed, Princeton; E. F. Smith, Morning Sun, 
la. Judges on Herds from one Bull : M. W. 
Robinson, Des Moines, la. ; W. W. Parish, ^lo- 
mence; J. R. Skelton, Skelton; Jos. Kelso, 
Tazewell Co. ; H. J. France, Woodford Co. 

1874: John P. Reynolds, President; I]mory 
Cobb and W. H. Russell, Superintendents. 
Xames of Judges not given. 

1875: D. B. Gillham, President; W. J. 
Neely, Superintendent. Herds — Judges : P. A. 
Coen, Washburn ; A. Kershaw, Wayne ; W. 
Noel, Paxton ; M. Sumner, Warren ; " W. Ful- 
ler, Clinton. 

Herds from one Bull — Judges : Hugh N. . 
Cross, Jerseyville ; J. H. Potts, Jacksonville ; 
H. Burruss, CarroUton; H. K. Parr, Seneca; 
W. Noel, Paxton. Sweepstakes — Judges: J. 
S. Overholt, Streator; C. L. Hostetter, Mt. 
Carroll; J. Barnes, Ottawa, III; C. R. Wood, 
Yorkville ; W. H. H. Holdridge, Tonica. 

187G: I). B. Gillham, President; W. J. 
Neely, Superintendent ; J. W. Judy, Marsha;l. 
Herds from one Bull — Judges : J. D. Van 
Doven, Fisks Corner, Wis. ; J. H. Spear, Tal- 
lula; H. E. AYilliams, Dixon; A. Herford, 
Perona; J. W. Hundey, Champaign. Herds — 
Judges : James Mix, Kankakee, 111. ; J. R. 
Shaver, Ottawa ; J. Brown, Galena ; J. L. 
Moore, Polo; H. M. Winslow, Kankakee. 

1877 at Freeport: D. B. Gillham, President; 
Samuel Dysart, Superintendent, J. W. Judy. 
Marshal. Herds — Judges: S. Riegle, D. C. 
May, A. Jeffry, N. Hawks, A. J. Willieck. Herd 
from one Bull — Tudges: Edward Isett, W. 
Stocking, Simon Sheaf, J. :M. Swaney, F. T. 
Seward. Judges of Sweepstakes: W. Rathje, 
John Gosling, Lewis Steward, W. Moflfatt, C. 
D. Hart. 

1878: Judges on Herds: T). Gore, Carlin- 
ville: Thomas Murray. Polo; Simon Sheaf; 
W. W. Riggs, Riggston. Judges Herds from 
one Bull : E. H. Stewart, Marengo : T. C. Ster- 
rett, Warrensburg; H. Tennison; W. Vorhies, 



424 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Vorhies ; T. W. Slielton. Judges Breeders' . 
Young Herd: L. W. Sheldon, Union; W. Vor- 
lites, Vorhies; T. C. Sterrett, Warrensburg; 
H. Tennison, White Hall. Judges Sweepstakes: 
George Reed, Belvidere; David Shaff, Hol- 
comb; J. E. Cronk, Belvidere; Wm. Stoeking, 
Rochelle; Chas. M. Saxby, Freeport. 

It will be found, after careful examination, 
that a large majority of these Judges were in 
the interest of the Shorthorn breed of cattle. 
It was claimed that it was difficult to get judges 
that were not interested and partial to special 
breeds or interests; and, admitting this, we 
then urged tlie necessity of slaughtering, to test 
the award, and to our insistence on disinterested 
and impartial judging by men not interested 
in any breed can be traced the incipiency of the 
Fat Stock Show in America. 

We hoped that breed prejudice might disap- 
pear when competition was limited to steer and 
fat cattle destined for slaughter, and that at a 
Fat Stock Show, "individual merit and prime 
qualities of meat" might be discussed, weighed 
and fairly Judged. We hailed, therefore, the 
advent of the American Fat Stock Show with 
comfort, even though we knew it must be con- 



ducted under the same Illinois Board. We 
were destined to learn, however, that country 
butchers sefected by Shorthorn breeders and 
their friends were liable to be, as we have felt, 
too loyal to the appointing power ; nevertheless, 
to the establishment of the Fat Stock Show 
may be ascribed the commencement of Hereford 
supremacy. 

In 1875 we appealed to the Illinois State 
Board of Agriculture for equal and even- 
handed Justice at their hands. We were told 
"you are doing well; you are making head- 
way as fast as you ought to expect; time will 
cure all your complaints."' We replied by giv- 
ing figures to show that the Herefords had a rec- 
ord that entitled them to an even classification 
and that we had a right to claim that the State 
Board of Illinois should not discriminate 
against them, but promised that, with or with- 
out the aid of this Board, the Hereford should 
go to the front. We said then, "They are reach- 
ing it; they will attain it; they will hold it." 
To prove to the Board that our claim to equal 
recognition of the Herefords with the Short- 
horns was well founded, we prepared and pre- 
sented to the Board the accompanying table : 




GRAnE STEER "REGULUS." AT 3 YEARS. WEIGHT 2,345 LBS. 
Champion over all breeds. Chicago Fat Stock Show. 18S5. Bred and exhibited by Fowler & Van Natta, 

Fowler, Ind. 



II I S T I? Y OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



425 



Tabular Statement, Showing the Xuinher of I'rizes and Amount of Money won by each Breed 
of Cattle, during the period tliat all Breeds competed together, from the year 1799 
up to 1851; after 1851 the Classification of Breeds took place. Excepting the years 1799, 
1801, 180-3, 1804, and ISOCi; the records being incomplete are omitted in all Breeds. 

O SHORT-H'NS. HEREF'DS. DEVONS. L'G-HORNS. SUSSEX. SCOTCH, etc. CR0S8-BR'D. 



1799 .. 

1800 .. 
ISOl .. 

1802 .. 

1803 .. 

1804 .. 

1805 .. 

1806 .. 

1807 .. 

1808 .. 



zozo zcizo zoz^zoznzozo zozo zozo 



1 8 1 10 



1815 .... 

1816 .... 

1817 .... 

1818 .... 

1819 .... 

1820 .... 
•1821 .... 

1822 .... 

1823 .... 

1824 .... 

1825 .... 

1826 .... 

1827 .... 

1828 .... 

1829 .... 

1830 .... 

1831 .... 

1832 .... 

1833 .... 

1834 .... 

1835 .... 



1837 

18.38 , 

1839 

1840 

1841 

1842 

1843 

1844 

1845 

1846 

1847 

1848 

1849 

1850 

1851 



40 1 10 1 



1 20 
1 20 
1 20 



25 1 in 1 



1 £10 1 £10 4 £65 

2 40 1 10 4 45 



1 20 2 15 



1 £15 1 £10 



1 20 Cs 



7 uio 1 in 



15 6 75 9 140 3 40 

• In 1821 there is a Prize of £10 adjudged to a Cow. but no breed 



DREEDS. 


Ox 

No. 

Pri 

1S5 


of 
es. 


or Steers. 

£ s d 

2758 2 




S2 


1399 5 




44 


662 10 




43 


500 15 8 




9 


178 10 




4 


89 5 


Cross-breeds 


8 


108 5 



1 10 


1 10 .. 


1 10 .. 




... 1 


20 


recorded. 








or Heifers. 


No. of 


Totals. 




£ s d 


Prizes 


£ s 


d 


231 n 


207 


2989 2 


n 


1132 15 


174 


2532 





40 10 


48 


663 







43 


500 15 


n 


36 


12 


214 10 





63 IS 


10 


153 S 


ft 


101 10 


14 


209 15 






426 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



We expressly called the attention of the Board 
to the following table as proving the standing 
of the Herefords at Smithfield from the time 
Youatt's dishonest history appeared till Short- 
horn control abolished the competition between 
breeds. 

Winnings before the Smithfield Club from 
date of Youatt's history to 1851 : 



Year. 


No. of 

Prizes Guin- 
Hereford eas. 
Breed. 


Dol- 
lars. 


No. o( 

Prizes 

Sliorth'n 

Breed. 


Guin- 
eas. 


Dol- 
lars. 






45 
9b 
85 

100 
50 

100 

100 
70 
95 
65 

120 
30 
85 
50 
65 

140 


225 
475 
425 
500 
250 
500 
500 
350 
475 

600 
150 
425 
250 
325 
700 


1 
1 
1 
2 
3 
5 
3 
3 
3 
2 
1 
3 
6 
4 
6 
1 


20 
15 
10 
35 
70 
45 
45 
60 
60 
25 
15 
65 
70 
85 
80 
15 




1837 


6 


75 


1838 


5 


50 










.. ..5 


350 


1841 


6 


225 


1842 

1843 

1844 

1845 

1846 

1847 

1848 


7 

6 

8 

'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 8 

2 

4 


300 
300 
125 
75 
325 
350 


1849 


5 


425 


1850 


5 

9 


400 
75 








16 ys. 


92 


1295 


6475 


45 


715 


3575 



Every cattle superintendent at the Illinois 
State Fairs from 1871 to 1874, inclusive, except 
Mr. Reynolds, was a Shorthorn breeder at the 
time of holding the position. At Peoria in 1871 
there was a vacancy in the Committee of Judges 
on Herds, all breeds showing, when an outside 
man was called in. This man was the only one 
that examined the Hereford herd, and he 
said afterward that the other members of 
the Committee would not look at the 
Herefords. At Ottawa, in 1876, the Here- 
ford exhibitors made a special appeal to 
the president, D. B. Gillham, to the superintend- 
ent, and other members of the Board, that the 
judges on herds be selected from men that were 
not Shorthorn breeders — men that should be 
impartial in their judging. The superintend- 
ent was active to get such a committee, and 
secured the assistance of the marshal of the 
ring (both Shorthorn breeders) in making the 
selection. They said to the Hereford exhibitors 
that they had taken special pains to get an im- 
partial committee and that they had found a 
referee from the central part of the state. 

Who? Why, , the noted Shorthorn 

breeder, to pass upon the merits of the Short- 
horns and Herefords. There were probably no 
men in the state of Illinois more unsuited to 
occupy the place of a judge, or to select impar- 
tial judges when the Herefords and Shorthorns 
came into competition. The referee was the 
head of the Shorthorn interest in Illinois: the 
marshal was the hand; the superintendent in 



his fealty to the Shorthorns, was all the Short- 
horn men could desire in managing the Cattle 
Department to secure them in their position. 

Now, if the Illinois State Board of Agricul- 
ture intended to be impartial, we submit that 
it was not in good taste to place Shorthorn 
breeders in absolute charge of the cattle de- 
partment, and that they ought to have known 
that Shorthorn breeders alone were not compe- 
tent to act as judges when Shorthorns competed 
with other breeds. Men who have been men- 
tioned advocated special legislation in the board 
in favor of Shorthorns and against all others; 
while the Illinois State Board so organized 
their committees that control of the awards — at 
least a majority of them — was in the hands of 
Shorthorn breeders. 

The Herefords were, therefore, forced to ap- 
peal from prejudiced societies, run by self- 
seekers, to that higher tribunal, the public. In 
voicing this appeal to the public, we became the 
target for ridicule. When we voiced the com- 
plaint of the Hereford men to the Agricultural 
Societies, we were called a "chronic kicker," 
and "anything to beat Miller" became an axiom 
of the opposition. When we saw certain con- 
temporary Hereford breeders using this "any- 
thing to beat Miller" crusade, to further their 
own immediate ends, we abandoned the show 
ring and worked the more zealously through our 
"Breeders' Journal." 

Not being able to prevent the publication of 
the "Breeders' Journal," our opponents at- 
tempted to lessen 
its influence b y 
calling it a "trade 
circular" and heap- 
ing abuse upon its 
editor, and by sub- 
tly currying favor 
with other Here- 
ford breeders in an 
attempt to have our 
work discredited in 
the Hereford camp. 
But they were un- 
successful, for al- 
though some so- 
called Hereford 
breeders allowed 
their temporary sel- 
fish interests to be- 
little them into a 

jealousy, for what they conceived to be their 
own position as Hereford men, the great and 
overwhelming majority have ever conceded us 
that recognition that has so gratified us. 




J. J. HILL. 
St. Paul. Minn. Celebrated rail- 
way magnate and lover of 
fine stock. 



IIISTOHY OF IIKREFORD CATTLE 



427 



No honest, earnost, inspiring iulvocatc of a 
cause can liope to present its merits without 
encountering opposition; an intelligent advo- 
cate will expect opposition. Honest opposition, 
from those representing a conflicting interest, is 
commendable; but underhanded op})osition 
from within one's own camp is treason, despic- 
able treason, that will be found born of jealousy. 
We would caution future generations of Here- 
ford breeders to avoid the appearance of such 
contemptible evil. If there spring up Hereford 



new sui)erintendent entered upon his duties 
here with the determination to give to all ex- 
hibitors a fair show, and selected committees 
with this in view. We were enabled to take 
on herds open to all breeds, the second premium 
for the best bull and five cows; and first pre- 
mium for the best five cattle, male or female, 
the get of one bull ; the second for the best cow 
or heifer of any age.- During this exhibition, 
in competition for herds and sweepstakes pre- 
miums, a prominent Shorthorn breeder of Mis- 




GRADE HEREFORD STEER "DYSART," AT 3 YEARS. WEIGHT 1,890 LBS. 

Exhibited by C. ,M. Culbertson, winner ot the Breeders' Gazette gold challenge shield tor best beast in the show 

bred and fed by exhibitor, Chicago, 1895. 



ailvocates (as there have and will) willing to 
ilevote their time, talents and money to spread- 
ing the Hereford gospel, all that he may do or 
say may not be pleasing to each individual 
Hereford man ; but take care that the overbal- 
ancing good be weighed against the objection- 
able little, and, above all. sink your jealousy and 
encourage such a man, for "appreciation is all 
there is in life." 

The fair in 1877 was held at Freeport; a 



souri had an animated conversation with the 
superintendent, the drift of which I did not 
hear, but to which the superintendent replied: 
"Jim, Miller is going to have a fair show." In 
1878 the State Fair was again held at Free- 
port, the regular superintendent bein^ in 
France. At that show I said to the Vice-Pres- 
ident: "I am entitled to have a fair show, 
and should like to have it without quarrels, 
and I am willing to submit to anv committee 



428 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



of judges that President Gillhain and ex-Presi- 
dent Reynolds may select." Says he, "That is 
fair, and 1 will see that it is carried out." 

He went to Gillhani and Reynolds, and they 
made a selection of a committee under which 
were shown herds, open to all breeds, five cattle, 
male or female, the get of one bull. I took, 
with Success and his get, the iirst premium. 
This raised a row among the Shorthorn exhib- 
itors. They took their complaints to the mar- 
shal of the ring, refusing to submit to the action 
of this committee, and for the competition for 
the balance of the herd and sweepstakes pre- 
miums, the Shorthorn representative made the 
selection of the judges and ran them entirely 
in the interest of the Shorthorns. Failing to 
get a hearing, I withdrew my cattle from the 
competition. The result of the Shorthorn 
men's action at this show I suppose to have 
been the means of changing the policy of the 
Board for the Fair of ISTi), held at Springfield. 
They selected with care competent and impar- 
tial judges, whose services were paid for, and 
against whom no protests were to be heard. The 
Shorthorn exhibitors felt themselves at a dis- 
advantage under this policy, and endeavored to 
break it up and select judges on the ground, but 
did not succeed in their scheme. They sub- 
mitted, the Board refusing to change their 
plans. 

It was not only known to me, but it was 
known to the Board, and it was known to the 
exhilutors who have met on the grounds, that, 
as far as the cattle department at the Illinois 
State Fair was concerned, the Shorthorn men 
undertook to control the judges so as to secure 
the awards themselves. They were in a great 
measure enabled to do so by their knowledge of 
men, by their associates, not exhibitors, and by 
membA's of the Board in their interest; and 
against these odds the Herefords had to contend 
for ten years. 

The plan of the Shorthorn men during these 
years made the competition over the compara- 
tive merits of the two breeds a warm and 
exciting contest ; and to avoid this, instead of 
following out the plan adopted for the judging 
at Springfield in 1879, by carefully selecting 
judges before coming upon the ground, they 
have withdrawn the competition as between 
breeds, thus shirking responsibilities that prop- 
erly belong to them to meet. 

What breeders and feeders want to know is 
this very thing, to-wit, the best breed. This 
test the Shorthorn men do not intend shall be 
made, unless they can make the judges. To this 
demand of the Shorthorn breeders, the State 
Board of Illinois, the State Board of Michigan. 



the St. Louis Fair Association, the Xorthern 
Ohio Fair Association and others have all sur- 
rendered, and discontinued the practice of 
bringing the Herefords and Shorthorns in com- 
petition. They demand the right to name the 
judges, and if not conceded, that the competi- 
tion between breeds shall not be continued. 

1879. The American Fat Stock Show was 
inaugurated by the Illinois State Board of Ag- 
riculture in 1879. We hailed it as the opportu- 
nity of the Herefords to exhibit their inherent 
thrift in a more practical way. The character of 
the awards at this show was the subject of com- 
ment by the press of the country. We have 
had something to say of them in Chapter XVII. 

1880. The Herefords made a large show at 
the fairs of America in 1880. While most of 
the societies prohibited the competition of breed 
against breed, and thus lessened the interest in 
the shoM's, still the Hereford made rapid strides 
in numbers and qualities. At the New Eng- 
land Fair held at Worcester, Mass., J. S. 
Hawes, of South Vassalborough, Maine, exhib- 
ited sixteen head, and Burleigh & Bodwell, of 
Fairfield Center, Maine, exhibited twenty-six 
head. Both herds made an excellent show for 
the breed, Messrs. Burleigh & Bodwell taking 
the herd premiums. At the New Yodk 
State Fair held at Albany, the Hereford 
exhibitors were Messrs. Burleigh & Bodwell, 
of Maine, and Erastus Corning, of Albany. At 




HOTSPUR (7028) 9355. 
Bred by J. Price, Herefordshire. 

the Pennsylvania State Fair^ the Hon. John 
Merryman, of Maryland, made a very fine ex- 
hibit from his herd. At Minneapolis, Minn., 
Col. W. S. King brought all breeds in 
competition. The leading Shorthorn herds of 
the Northwest were there. One of these had a 
$4,000 Duke bull at its head. The Hereford 
exhibitors here were C. M. Culbertson, of New- 
man, Douglas Co., 111., and Shaw & Bullis, of 
Minnesota. The exhibit of Herefords was re- 



H I S T <) K V OF H K R K F R D CATTLE 



429 



markably good, ilr. Culbert^oii taking the licnl 
1 1 rem ill 111 s over all hrocds. At tiic N'KnifASKA 
State Fair Mr. G. S. Burleigh, of ilechan- 
it'sville, la. ; Jlossrs. A. A. Crane & Son, of 
Osco, 111., and ilessrs. Swan Bros., of Choy- 
cniio, Wyo.. were the exhibitors. This show of 
Here fords was remarkably good, both in num- 
ber and quality. The "Nebraska Farmer" of- 
fered a special premium for the best cow, steer 
or heifer in the show of any breed. • This was 
won by Mr. G. S. Burleigh, of Meehaniesville, 
la., with his Hereford Princess B. (^265). 
Thus at the only two fairs where breed was per- 
mitted to compete against breed, the Herefords 



In 1881, at the Chicago Fat Stock Show, the 
following Herefords were exhibited : 




A TYPICAL JERSEY. 

were the winners. At the Iowa State 
Faik the Herefords were in strong force, but 
were not permitted to compete with Shorthorns. 
At the Illinois State Fair, Mr. C. M. 
Culbertson was an exhibitor, as was ilr. Thos. 
Clark, of Beecher, and Tom C. Ponting, of 
Stonington, Illinois. The show was very good. 
At the St. Loris Fair, the exhibitors were 
Culbertson and Clark. 

It was out of place, when the stockmen and 
farmers of the country were making earnest 
inquiry for the best breed, that the Shorthorns 
should be drawn off. This list that we have 
given, though far from complete, shows how 
wide the range the Hereford had taken, in 
1880. From Maine to Cheyenne on the north, 
and from Maryland to St. Louis on the south. 
A complete account would have carried us to 
Kansas City and Central Kansas, and when we 
further consider the fact that five hundred 
Herefords were brought from England that 
year and that none of these reached the show 
ground except the herd of Jfessrs. Burleigh & 
Bodwell, of Maine, the Hereford breeders had 
a right to feel encouraged by the progress the 
breed was making. 









PURE 


HEREFORD 














Ar. |;alD 






Name 


Age 


Wt. 


per day 


Name 






of 


iu 


Nov. 4 


in ll)s. 


of 






Exhibitor. 


(lays. 


1881. 


since 
birth. 


Animal. 


t. 


L 


.Miller Co. 


.. 1224 


1965 


1.60 


Will. 


T. 


L, 


Miller Co. 


.. 1242 


1930 


1.55 


Washington. 


T 


L. 


Miller Co.. 


.. 943 


1700 


1.84 


Crystal. 


T. 


E. 


Miller 


.. 2243 


1560 


0.69 


IM'd 01 the Mist 1365. 


T. 


E. 


Miller 


.. 1326 


1335 


1.00 


Lady Elliott 2150. 


T. 


Clark 


.. 1777 


1410 


0.79 


May Queen 11th. 


C. 


K 


Parmelee. 


.. 1082 


1215 


1.12 


Roxana. 


C. 


K 


Parmelee. 


.. 365 


880 


2.41 


Anxiety 4th. 


C. 


K 


Parmelee. 


.. 209 


500 


2.39 


Manito. 


C. 


K 


Parmelee. 


.. 251 


520 


2.07 


Emetine 2d. 


C. 


K 


Parmelee. 


.. 256 


565 


2.20 


Helena 6th. 


C. 


K 


Parmelee. 


.. 249 


610 


2.44 


Calico. 


C. 


K 


Parmelee. 


.. 329 


745 


2.26 


Beatrice. 


C. 


K 


Parmelee. 


.. 199 


500 


2.51 


Magnet. 


C. 


K. 


Parmelee. 


.. 193 


400 


2.07 


Lady Tuscola. 








GRADE 


HEREFORD. 


t. 


L. 


.Miller Co. 


.. 1190 


2145 


1.80 


Conqueror. 


t. 


L. 


.Miller Co. 


.. 1190 


2035 


1.71 


Bachelor. 


t. 


L. 


Miller Co. 


.. 1054 


1925 


1.82 


Kansas. 


T. 


L. 


Miller Co.. 


. . 1145 


1700 


1.48 


Tom Brown. 


t. 


L. 


Miller Co. 


.. 1135 


1550 


1.36 


Oxford. 


C. 


M. 


Culbertson. 


.. 1039 


1485 


1.42 


Spot Face. 


c. 


M. 


Culbertson. 


.. b85 


1025 


1.49 


Curley. 


c. 


M. 


Culbertson 


.. 1056 


1675 


1.58 


Left. 


c. 


.M. 


Culbertson. 


.. 1056 


1715 


1.62 


Right. 


c. 


M. 


Culbertson. 


.. 1291 


1835 


1.42 


Broad Horns. 


c. 


M. 


Culbertson 


.. 2059 


1925 


0.93 


Beefy Back. 


G. 


.S. 


Burleigh.. 


.. 267 


725 


2.71 


Rose. 


G. 


s. 


Burleigh... 


.. 622 


1280 


2.05 


Bailey. 


G. 


s. 


Burleigh.. 


.. 1065 


1675 


1.59 


Ab. Piatt. 


G. 


s. 


Burleigh.. 


.. 1694 


2600 


1.53 


Star. 


Ill 


In 


d. Univ.... 


.. 1129 


1670 


1.47 


Burnham. 


III 


Id 


d. Univ.... 


.. S06 


1335 


1.65 


Junior. 



The following premiums were awarded : 
Lot 2 — Hereford, Thoroughbred. 

Best steer 3 and under 4 years — First pre- 
mium, Will; second, Washington; both exhil)- 
ited by T. L. Miller Co., Beecher, III. 

Best cow 3 years old and over — First pre- 
mium. Maid of the Mist, exhibited by T. E. 
Jliller, Beecher, 111.; second, Mav Queen II, 
Thomas Clark, Beecher, 111.; third. Lady El- 
liott, T. E. Miller, Beecher, 111. 

Lot 5 — Grades and Crosses. 

Best steer 3 and under 4 years — First pre- 
mium, Hereford steer Conqueror, bred and ex- 
hibited by T. L. Miller Co., Beecher, 111. 

Best steer, 2 and under 3 years — Third, grade 
Hereford, Kansas, T. L. Miller, Beecher, 111. 

Best steer, 1 and under 2 years — Third, Bai- 
ley,, grade Hereford, G. S. Burleigh, Meehan- 
iesville, la. 

Best cow, 3 years old and over — Second, 
grade Hereford, Beefy Back, C. M. Culbertson, 
Chicago, 111. 

Lot 9 — Dressed Bullocks. 
Best carcass of steer, 3 and under 4 years — 
First premium, grade Hereford, Broad Horns, 
C. M. Culbertson, Chicago, 111. 



430 



HISTORY OF H E R E F E D CATTLE 



Best carcass of steer, 3 and under 3 years, 
grade Hereford— Ab. Piatt, G. S. Burleigh. 

Best carcass of steer, 1 and under 2 years — 
Premium to Bailey, grade Hereford, G. S. Bur- 
leigh, Mechanicsville, Iowa. 

Lot 10 — Dressed Bullocks, Sweepstakes. 

Best carcass of steer of any age — Premium 
$75, to grade Hereford steer Broad Horns, C. 
M. Culbertson, Chicago, 111. 

Special Premium. 

Marshall Field, Chicago, $250, for best five 

head cattle, any age or breed, awarded to T. L. 

Miller Co., Beecher, 111., for five Hereford 

, steers — Conqueror, Will, Washington, Bachelor 

and Kansas. 

A Chicago daily thus comments on this show : 
"The event of this show was the contest for the 
prize of $250 offered by Marshall Field, of Chi- 
cago, for the best five head of cattle, of any age 
or breed. It was the largest prize of the show so 
far as value was concerned. There were seven 
herds entered by the following exhibitors: 
Shorthorns : T. W. Hunt, of Ashton. 111. ; John 
B. Sherman, of Chicago; John D. Gillette, of 
Elkliart, 111. ; Luther Rawson, of Oak Creek, 
Wis. ; Morrow & Muir, of Clintonville, Ky., 
and H. C. Nelson, of Canton, 111. 

"The T. L. Miller Co., of Beecher, entered 
a herd of five Herefords. The ring was com- 
pletely filled, with the finest animals of the 
show, and the judges experienced some diffi- 
culty in getting about. The gentlemen chosen 
to decide the merits of this grand herd ring 
were James Peltz, of Polo, 111. ; Frank Gerpi- 
ser, of Springfield, and Edward Leize, of Chi- 
cago. The handling qualities of every animal 
was determined and every point of excellence 
thoroughly discussed. So far as close searching 
and complete work was concerned no set of 
judges ever more fully satisfied the exhibitors 
or the public of their desire to do even and 
exact justice. After two hours of conscientious 
work the unanimous decision was in favor of 
the Herefords, to whom the prize was awarded. 
It was, indeed, a glorious and crowning victory, 
and to say that the fortunate winners were de- 
lighted but feebly expressed the state of thejr 
feelings. The aggregate of the five winning 
animals was exactly 10,000 pounds, making the 
average 2,000 pounds to the ounce — a showing 
that speaks volumes for the 'white-faced' 
breed." — Chicago Tribune. 

William Houseman, writing from England in 
1882 to the "National Live Stock Journal," 
Chicago, said: 

"While trade in pedigree stock is, in general. 



quite at a standstill, and the suspension of busi- 
ness, usual at this time of year, may be marked 
by the lack of those advertisements of public 
sales, and of cattle to be disposed of by private 
bargain (which crowd the columns of the agri- 
cultural papers during 'the season') an uncdiii- 
mon commotion has been raised in the Hereford 
breeding districts by the presence of American 
Hereford breeders, who are buying up all the 
best Herefords they can lay hands on for very 
large shipments in the spring. 

''In favor of the Hereford, it nuist be allowed, 
as the results of competition with other breeds 
during this past year, this breed has proved 
signally successful; at the Royal Dublin 
Society's show, where not only last year but for 
two years consecutively, a Hereford bull has 
won the Chaloner plate, value $T75, as the best 
of any breed; at the Worcester County Show, 
where a Hereford heifer (Mr. Carwardine's 
Pretty Face), since exported to America by 
Mr. Culbertson, won the championship over 
Mr. Acker's famous Lady Carew 3d, the first 
prize Shorthorn cow of the Royal Agricultural 
Society of England, and at some other shows. 

1882. — The campaign of 1882 was a memor- 
able one. 

The Tippecanoe County Fair at Lafayette, 
Indiana, for 1882, offered unusually liberal 
premiums for the beef breeds, consisting of 
three prizes for aged herds respectively $500, 
$150, and $50. They also offered a sweepstakes 
prize for the best herd of thoroughbred beef- 
breeding cattle, one bull, and four heifers under 
2 years old, $100, $50, and $25. Also a sweep- 





SH .,*«#.,v,.. :. — -. flr 


1 


^^ic::;:^.^ 


M^ 






„.. 



A WEST HIGHLAND BULL. 

stakes for the best bull of any age or breed, the 
best cow of any age or breed, and the best steer 
of any age or breed. 

The Hereford exhiliitors consisted of Messrs. 
Earl & Stuart, of Ijafayctte; C. M. CUilbert- 
son, of Chicago; 0. Bush, of Sheldon, III; C. 
K. Parmelee, of Wolcott, Ind.; Fowler & Van 
Natta, of Fowler, Ind. ; William Constable, of 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



431 



Boccher. HI.; Thos. Clark, of IVivIut, HI.; B. 
Hcr.slK'y, of JhiiJcatinc, la. 

Mr. HiTshev's herd consistod of iivo yt'i'i'- 
Iin<rs, four heifers and one bull, which were 
purchased at the close of the fair by C. K. 
I'arnielee for $3,000. 

The Shorthorn exhibitors were J. H. Potts 
& Son, of Jacksonville, 111.; Harvey Sodowsky, 
of Indianola, HI.; L. Palmer, of Sturgeon, Mo.; 
Crofton Bros., of Winona; Thos. Wilhoit, of 
Middlc'town, Hid.; Wni. Stephenson & Son, of 
Little Hidian, HI.; Harper & Mason, of 
Wabash, Hid. 

The great interest and excitement of the 
whole fair was in the sweepstakes ring. Here 




GROUP OF RED POLL CATTLE. 

on Friday morning were drawn up in grand 
array nine aged herds, all two years old and up- 
wards, to compete for the $500 prize. Three of 
tlicse herds were Herefords and six Shorthorns. 
Each herd consisted of one hull and four 
females. The committee after a long and care- 
ful examination gave first to J. H. Potts & Son's 
herd of Shorthorns, while the Hereford herd 
of Mr. C. M. Culbertson, although considered 
by many to be the best, had to be content w'ith 
second. Mr. Culbertson certainly exhibited a 
grand herd and if his cow, Pretty Face, a prize 
winner in England before she was imported to 
this country, and considered an extraordinary 
phini there, had been the equal in size with the 
other three females in the herd, we think there 
would have been no doubt of his carrying off 
the first ))rize. 

Owing to the time consumed in awarding the 
above premium.s, it was now after one o'clock 
on tiie last day of the fair, so the committee 
that made the above awards was discharged and 
a fresh committee put to work on the swi'cp- 
stakes for the best young herd under two years 
old. Here the Herefords and Shorthorns, as 
to number of herds, were equal, six competing, 
three Shorthorn and three Hereford. The su- 



periority of the Herefords w'as more marked in 
this ring, and the committee were unanimous 
in placing the first prize on the Hereford herd 
of Fowler & Van Xatta, the st'cond going to the 
Shorthorn herd of J. H. Potts & Son, and the 
third to the Hereford herd of C. K. Parmelee. 
The young herd of Fowler & Van Natta con- 
sisted of entirely American bred cattle. The 
four heifers were remarkably even, and were 
universallv admired. Two of them were bred 
by T. L. Miller, and two by T. E. Miller. The 
bull was a very blocky, heavy-fleshed, good- 
coated animal, bred by C. M. Culbertson. 

Hi the contest for the best bull upon the 
ground, fifteen animals appeared in the ring, 
seven Herefords and eight Shorthorns. The 
display of Hereford bulls was remarkably fine, 
while among the Shorthorns there were only two 
that approached goodness. The prize was car- 
ried ofT by Messrs. Fowler & Van Natta, with 
their bull Tregrehan, a very smooth, even, 
short-legged bull. Mr. Constable's bull Hero, 
which won the sweepstakes in this same ring, 
the previous year, was shown here again, but 
failed to win, although he was in far better 
form than he was the year before. 

The following is a list of the premiums 
awarded : 

THOROUGHBRED HEREFORDS. 

Bull three j'ears old and over, 1st, Hero, 
(IJafiT) W. Constable. Beecher, HI.; 2d, 
Anxietv 3d, (11268) Thomas Clark, Beecher, 
HI. 

Bull two j'ears old and under three, 1st, 
Royal IGth, (T[269) Earl & Stuart, Lafayette, 
Ind. ;'2d, Romeo, Earl & Stuart. 

Bull one vear old and under two, 1st, Prince 
Edward, (TI2T0) Earl & Stuart; 2d, Anxiety 
5th, Fowler & Van Natta, Fowler, Ind. 

Bull calf under one year old, 1st, Jumbo, 
Earl & Stuart; 2d, El Paso Boy, W. Constable. 

Cow three vears old or over, 1st, Downton 
Rose, (11 271) 'C. M. Culbertson, Chicago, 111.; 
2d, Lady 3d, Earl & Stuart. 

Heifer two years old and under three, 1st, 
Peerless, (TI272) Thos. Clark; 2d, Venus, 
(If 273) Earl & Stuart. 

Heifer one year old, and under two, 1st, Miss 
Broadgauge 2d, Benj. Hershey, Muscatine, la.; 
2d, Prettymaid, Earl & Stuart. 

Heifer calf under one year old, 1st. Rachel, 
C. M. Culbertson; 2d, Crocus 3d, Fowler & 
Van Xatta. 

The above exhibit of Herefords in their class 
was a beautiful sight, but we think that of all 
the classes that of the yearling heifers was the 
finest. Eighteen of these choice young things 



432 



HISTOKY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



were brought out in competition, and it was a 
difficult matter for the judges to select the best. 
The first prize female, Miss Broadgauge 2d 
by Horatius, was a very choice animal, with a 
square, massive top which won her, probably, 
the premium, although the winning heifer the 
following week at Crawfordsville was Viola, 
a heifer bred by T. L. Miller, from his fine old 
cow Victoria. (T| 274) 

The money that it would have taken to have 
bought this string of heifers would have been a 
small fortune of itself, as Messrs. Fowler & 
Van Natta were said to have refused $5,000 
for the five that they had in the ring. 

The following week, nearly the same parties 
showed at Crawfordsville, Ind., with the follow- 
ing results. The breeders of Hereford cattle, 
thinking it would be better to make a combined 
show of their cattle, resolved after their exhibi- 
tion at Lafayette to keep together during the 
rest of the fair season on the principle that 
their combined forces could do more to break up 
the Shorthorn rings than they could if they 
separated and e.xhibited in smaller numbers 
over the entire country. In pursuance of the 
above resolution ten cars were ordered and the 
Herefords swept over to Crawfordsville in full 
force. Such an exhibit of stock had been un- 
known at this fair, and they were compelled to 
erect fifty additional stalls for the accommoda- 
tion of the Herefords. They met here many of 
the Shorthorns with which they had competed 
the week before, and in the contest for the 
sweepstakes prize on j'oung herds under two 
years old, the Shorthorns did not get a ribbon, 
the first, second and third premiums being all 
awarded to Hereford cattle. 

The attendance at this fair was very large, 
and the weather being good was a great success. 
The prizes to Herefords in their class were as 
follows : 

Thoroughbred Herefords: Bull three years 
old and over, 1st premium. Hero, Wni. Con- 
stable, Beecher, HI.; 2d, Sir Garnet, (11275) 
C. M. Culbertson, Chicago, HI. 

Bull two vears old and under three, 1st, 
Tregrehan, (11276) Fowler & Van Natta, 
Fowler, Ind. ; 2d, Royal 16th, Earl & Stuart, 
Lafayette, Ind. 

Bull one year old and under two, 1st, 
Anxietv 4th, C. K. Parmelee, Wolcott, Ind.; 
2d. Prince Edward, Earl & Stuart. 

Bull under one year of age, 1st, El Paso Boy, 
W. Constable; 2d," Jumbo, Earl & Stuart. 

Cow three vears old and over, 1st, Ladv 3d, 
Earl & Stuart; 2d, Cherry 24th, (11277) C. M. 
Culbertson. 

Heifer two years old and under three, 1st, 



Venus, Earl & Stuart; 2d, Winnie 4th, Earl 
& Stuart. 

Heifer one year old and under two, 1st, 
Viola, Fowler & Van Natta; 2d, Prettymaid, 
Earl & Stuart. 

Heifer under one year old, 1st, Crocus 3d, 

Fowler & Van Natta; 2d , C. M. 

Culbertson. 

Sweepstakes for best aged beef herd, 1st, J. 
H. Potts & Son, Shorthorn; 2d, H. Sodowsky, 
Shorthorn; 3d, C. H. Culbertson, Hereford. 

Sweepstakes for young herd under two years 
old, 1st, Earl & Stuart, Hereford; 2d, Fowler 
& Van Natta, Hereford; 3d, C. K. Parmelee, 
Hereford. 

Sweepstakes for best bull, any age or breed, 
11 entries, six Herefords and five Shorthorns, 
1st prize, Tregrehan (Hereford), Fowler & 
Van Natta. 

Sweepstakes on cows, Harvey Sodowsky, 
Shorthorn, Indianola, III. 

It will be seen by the above awards that the 
premiums were changed somewhat from the 
Lafayette awards. Sir Garnet is given here 
the second place, where he was overlooked the 
preceding week. This was a fine large bull, by 
The Grove 3d, who is the sire of some remark- 
ably good cattle. 

In the two-year-old bull class, Tregrehan is 
here given first place, while at Lafayette in his 
class he was overlooked, while winning sweep- 




A.\ .VIJLKLUJUN AXCLi CELEBRITY, BLACK I'IMXCE. 
Bred 111 Srotlanrt, exhibited at Chicago and Kansas City 
Fat Stock Shows, 1SS3-4. This steer did more to bring 
the Angus breed to notice in America than any other 
animal of the breed. 

stakes for best bull upon the ground. In the 
yearling. Anxiety 4th is here given first, while 
at Lafayette he was overlooked entirely. 

In biill calves, the position of the winners is 
reversed. El Paso Boy here taking the first, and 
Jumbo the second. For aged cows, Messrs. 
Earl & Stuart's imported prize winner Lady 3d, 



illSTOKV OF 11 EKE FORD CATTLE 



■43a 



taki'S first liore, over Cherry "^4111, who did not 
M'in anytliiiig at Lafayette. Lady 3(1 liad seen 
her best ihn> as a sliow animal, i)reeding as she 
did a calf every year. 

In heifers one year old and under two, the 
heifer Viola, bred by T. L. Miller, took first 
here, while at Lafayette she was overlooked. 

Faik at Si'HiNCiKiiiLU. !ll., ISS"^. — Murli to 
the disgust of the Shorthorn exhibitors, the 
breeders of Hereford cattle, with their grand 
display of over seventy head of white-faced 
beauties, loaded their cars at Crawfordsville, 
Lid., and s])ed away to the home of the Short- 
horns, and pitched their tents at S])ringfield, 
111. The Shorthorn men wanted to know what 
right the Hereford men had to come out in such 
force, and fill the spectators with enthusiasm at 
the siglit of such mountains of beef comprised in 
such comjiact bodies, mounted on short, fine- 
boned legs and covered with mellow hides and 
good coats of hair. These Shorthcrrn breeders 
felt particularly grieved tliat the Hereford men 
concluded to exhibit their cattle in mass, and 
concentrating their forces, thus make a display 
that the Shorthorn men had no chance of 
beating. They even went so far as to say it 
was a bulldozing movement, inaugurated to 
awe the different fair associations.. As far as 
we heard the different fair managers express 
an opinion they were anxious to have this grand 
display come to their grounds, as it attracted 
many thousands of spectators, wdio liked to see 
improvement and did not want to be compelled 
to always see the sflme old barren Shorthorn 
cows from year to year. 

The prizes of Herefords in their classes were 
as. follows at this fair: 

Bull three vears old and over, 1st premium, 
Hero, Wm. "^Constable, Beeclier. Ill; 2d, 
Anxiety 3d, Thos. Clark, Beerlier, 111. 

Bull two vears old and under three, 1st, 
Royal Kith, Earl & Stuart, Lafayette, Ind. ; 2d, 
Tregrehan, Fowler & A"an Nafta, Fowler, Ind. 

Bull one year old and under two, 1st, 
Anxiety .5th, Fowler & Van Nafta ; 2d, Anxiety 
4fh, C. K. Parmelee. 

Bull calf under one year, 1st, .Tunibo, Earl & 
Stuart; 2d, Exchange, Earl & Stuart. 

Cow three vears old and over, 1st, Cherry 
24th, C. M. Culbertson, Chicago, 111.; 2d, Lady 
3d. Earl & Stuart. 

Heifer two years oM and under three, 1st, 
Venus, Earl & Stuart; 2d, Peerless, Thomas 
Clark. 

Heifer one A'ear old and nnder two, 1st, 
Prettvmaid, Earl & Stuart; 2d, Viola, Fowler 
& Van Natta. 

Heifer calf under one year old, 1st, Crocus 



3d, Fowler & Van Nafta ; 2d, Kachel, C. M. 
Culbertson. 

Sweepstakes, best bull. Hero, Wm. Constable. 

Sweepstakes, best cow. Cherry 24th, C. Jsl. 
Culbertson. 

Sweepstakes for best aged herd. Earl & 
Stuart (Herefords) 1st; C. M. Culbertson 
(Herefords) 2d. 

Sweepstakes for best young herd under two 
vears old, J. H. Pickrell (Shorthorns) 1st; 
Earl & Stuart (Herefords) 2d. 

The show of grade Herefords at this fair was 
very fine, and in the grade classes the Here- 
fords of Mr. J. R. Price, of Williamsville, 111., 
won all he showed for, over all competitors. 

Splendid exliibits were made at Missouri, 
Kansas, and Nebraska fairs in 1882 by F. W. 
Smith, and Whaley & Young of Missouri, and 
Fowler Bros., J. S. Hawes, and W. Morgan & 
Son. 

Birmingham, Eng., Fat Stock Show, 
1882. — We give the following account taken 
from the "Birmingham Post"' of the winnings 
of the Hereford cattle at this English Fat Stock 
Show : 

"Herefords. — This breed is not so strong in 
point of number as it was last year, the stalls 
being 24 against 31, but it is again dis- 
tinguished above all other competitors by con- 




WASUI.XGTO.V (Si.'.i) -::r.ij. 
Bred by A. E. Hughes, Herefordshire. 

tributing the premier animal of the show. Mr. 
John Price, (^2?8) of Pembridge, once more 
beats everything with his grand ox by Grand 
Duke — Satin. The bullock has added about 
four hundred and twenty pounds to its weight 
by the year's additional feeding, and has de- 
veloped still further the fine qualities which 
excited so much admiration at its previous 
exhibition. At the age of three years it now 
pulls 21 hundred w^eight, 1 qr., 14 lb. (2,394 
lbs.), and every ounce of its meat is in the 



436 



HIST R Y OF H E R E F O R D (; A T T L E 



proper place. As it is bred and fed by the ex- 
hibitor, it carries the president's £35 sterling 
cup, as well as the £50 sterling, as best Here- 
ford, and the Elkington challenge trophy, of 
the value of 100 guineas. As this last prize has 
been won by Jlr. Price two years successively, 
it now becomes his own property. It is to be 
noticed as a remarkable and unexpected cir- 
cumstance that this repeated victory has been 
gained by the same animal. The Queen's 
Shorthorn heifer was the most dangerous rival 
Jfr. Price had to encounter in the final award, 
and there were loud shouts of applause in the 
hall wluai it was anncninced that the suliioct 



with bullocks which are all the progeny of 
Rcgulus." 

The Elkington challenge cup, of the value 
of $500, won by Mr. John Price with a Here- 
ford bullock, for the best animal in the show, 
was first placed on oifer in 1873, and to be the 
property of the winner must be won two years 
in succession. {^ 279) We copy from the "Mark 
Lane Express" the following statement : "The 
cup was won in 1873 by Mr. E. Wortley, in '74 
by Mr. Robert Wright^ in '75 by Mr. Richard 
Stratton, in '76 bv Mr. Samuel Kidner, in '77 
by Mr. Richard Stratton, (11280) in '78 by 
Lord Lovat, in '79 bv Mr. H. D. Adamson, in 




PURE-BRED STEER. RUDOLPH. JR. 
Bred, ted and exhibited by Geo. F. Morgan, winner of grand sweepstakes Chit-ago Fat Stc 



had defeated his sovereign — not on account of 
that feature of the case, for a royal victory 
would have been Just as warmly welcomed, but 
as expressing^the congratulations of spectators 
on an exhibitor having at length scored the 
double event required by the conditions of the 
Elkington Cup. This feat, however, is not the 
only sign which the show affords of the strength 
of the Pembridge herd. Mr. Price also takes 
the second prize for oxen, and both first and 
second in the younger class of Hereford steers, 



'80 by Mr. Peter Dunn, in '81 and '82 by ilr. 
John Price, Court House, Pembridge, Eng." 

1883. — The Illinois State Fair. — Here- 
ford class awards were as follows : 

Bull three years old or over, 1st, Wyoming 
Hereford Association; 2d, G. S. Burleigh. Bull 
two years old and under three, 1st, G. S. Bur- 
leigh ; 2d, T. M. George. Bull one year old and 
under two, 1st, George Leigh ; 2d, Fowler & 
Van Natta. Bull under one year old, 1st, C. 



niSTOKV OF HE i; HFOKD CATTLE 



437 



M. Cullwrtson ; 2(1, O. TitivU. Cow 4 3uars old 
or over, 1st, C. K. Panneleu; 2cl, T. M. George. 
Cow three years old aud under four, 1st, and 
2d, Thos. Clark. Heifer two years old and 
under three, 1st, Thos. Clark; 2d, C. K. Par- 
melee. Heifer one year old and under two, 1st, 
Fowler & Van Natta; 2d, Thos. Clark. Heifer 
under one year old, 1st and 2nd, C. M. Culbert- 
son. In the sweepstakes: Hereford herd to 
consist of bull two years old or over, and a 
three-year-old, two-year-old, one-year-old, and 
under one-year-old female, the prize went to the 
Wyoniinfi Hereford Association, of Cheyenne, 
Wyoming. \t the head of this herd stood the 
remarkai)le bull Rudolph, (^281) a grand 
animal, which coml)ined great scale, with a 
smoothness aud finish unequalled among his 
competitors. Best bull of any age, 1st, 
Wyoming Hereford Ass'n, Rudolph. Best 
female, any age, 1st, C. K. Parinelee, Princess. 
(T|282) Sweepstakes: Herd, all breeds compet- 
ing, 1st, to Fowler & Van Natta's Herefords. 

New Youk State Fair, 1883. — In the 
Hereford class the herd prize was awarded to 
the Hon. E. Corning, of Albany, for his bull 
Comus, and cows Filljert, Edna, Dorcas 5th, 
Duchess Sth, and Edna 2d. On aged bulls, 
E. Corning took first with Comus. On two- 
year-old bulls, J. L. Northrup, of Westfield, 
took first with Santa Claus. In bull calves, E. 
Corning took first with Kenwood. For aged 
cows, E. Corning took first and second with 
Filbert and Edna. In yearling heifers, E. 
Corning took first with Edna 2d. J. L. North- 
rup took iirst on heifer calves with Charmer 
3d. On fat cattle there was a premium for 
oxen over four years old and under four years 
old. G. Ayrault, of Poughkeepsie, won first on 
the former and first and second in the latter; 
also second for aged fat cows and first for fat 
heifers. Hon. Erastus Corning, of Albany, 
took first for fat cow over four years old with 
his Hereford cow, Topsy Turvy. * * * 

In 1883 Mr. W. E. Campbell, an extensive 
ranchman and cattle raiser of Caldwell, Ivans., 
exhibited at the Kansas State Fair a fine 
herd of Hereford cattle right off the prairie, 
where they had grazed the entire season, and 
had had no other feed of any kind whatever, 
this fact being established by the affidavit of 
reliable ])arties posted on the stalls of the cattle. 
Notwithstanding these facts, the cattle were in 
excellent condition, and proved the superiority 
of the Herefords over all other breeds as grass 
or range cattle. The Equinox 27.58 (11283) 
standing at the head of this herd had proven 
an excellent stock getter as well as invincible 
show bull. He won first prize in the grand 



sweepstakes ring open to Ijulls of any age or 
breecl, in a strong field of eighteen show 
bulls, representing the best Shorthorn, Here- 
ford, Polled Angus and Galloway herds of 
Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas. He 
also carried otf the first prize in his class, and 
his bull calf Jumbo and his heifer calf Lady 
Maud -Ith each won first honors in their re- 
spective classes. In the sweepstakes ring for 
the best -bull and five of his calves, open to all 
breeds. The Equinox again came to the front 
and won second honors, though his calves were 
very young and showed to bad advantage on 
that account. Queen of the Lillies. (K 284) out 
of Jessamine by Winter de Cote, that was first 
at Bismarck, was assigned a second place here 
after much hesitation. The winnings of this 
herd are unprecedented. It was a trump card 
for the Herefords as grass cattle. The merits 
of any thoroughbred race are best demonstrated 
by the quality of their progeny, and to prac- 
tically demonstrate the superiority and potency 
of the Herefords over other breeds, Mr. Camp- 




SAMUEL WEAVER, 
Decatur, 111., America's greatest cattle feeder. 

bell exhibited the yearling heifer Texas Jane. 
This heifer was sired by a thoroughbred Here- 
ford, and was out of a little scrub Texas cow. 
She weighed about 900 pounds, and had all the 
character and markings of a thoroughbred 
Hereford. She was universally admired and 
attracted much attention and comment from 



438 



HISTORY OF HER E FORD CATTLE 



the public, to whom she gave the following 
account of her birth and breeding, through a 
placard conspicuously posted over her stall: 

"I was born on W. E. Campbell's ranch, Aug. 
19, 1882, and' was at once christened Texas 
Jane. 

"My father was a Hereford thoroughbred, 
My mother a wild 'Texas scrub.' 

The cross makes me easily fed, 
And I am able to rustle for grub. 

"Don't stare at the meat on my back. 

Or be surprised at my snow-white face; 
For it was all the work of papa, 

That gave me this Hereford grace. 

The Herefords won sweepstakes on bull of 
any age or breed ; first and second sweepstakes 



Thomas Clark exhibited Anxiety 3d, a son of 
old Anxiety; and Mr. C. K. Parmelee ex- 
hibited Sir Garnet, a son of The Grove 3d, re- 
cently purchased from Mr. Culbertson. The 
result was, first prize to Mr. Thos. Clark's 
Anxiety 3d, and the second to Fowler & Van 
Natta for Tregrehan. There were no two- 
year-old bulls exhibited. On yearling bulls 
Messrs. Earl & Stuart took the first prize with 
Jumbo, and the second with Lord Horace. In 
bull calves the first prize went to Emperor 2d, 
owned by Earl & Stuart, and the second to 
Beckjay Hero, owned by Thos. Clark. 

Of cows three years old and upward a 
splendid exhibit was made. The first prize 
went to Mr. Thos. Clark for his cow Peerless 




on bull and five calves and second in sweep- 
stakes on cow of any age or breed. 

The Lafayette Fair, 1883.— The best 
Herefords in America were again pitted 
against each other at the Lafayette fair. In 
the show for aged bulls there was Messrs. 
Fowler & Van Natta's Tregrehan who won the 
sweepstakes in 1882 as the Ijest bull of any age 
or breed over a combined show of seven Here- 
fords and eight Shorthorns of the year. Mr. 



by Lord Wilton. This cow took the sweep- 
stakes as the best Hereford female of any age 
at St. Louis, 1882. The second prize went to 
C. K. Parmelee, of Wolcott, Ind., for his cow 
Silvia. (11285) In the two-year-old class the 
exhibit was an extraordinary one, and was most 
hotly contested, as there is seldom seen such a 
grand display of in-calf heifers. The first 
prize was awarded to Princess, a prize heifer, 
imported and owned by C. K. Parmelee. The 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD C! A T T L E 



439 



second prize went to Duchess 12th, also au 
imported heii'er, and owned by Mr. Thomas 
Clark. In the yearling class, Messrs. Fowler 
& V^an Natta took first prize with Crocus, 
Messrs. Earl & Stuart taking second with lielle. 
For heifer calves the first went to a calf by 
Tregrehan, bred and owned by Messrs. Fowler 
& Van Natta; the second went to Earl & 
Stuart for a calf by Lord Wilton. 

In the sweepstakes ring for best herd, the 
Hercfords and Shorthorns competed against 
each other. It will be remem!)ered that at 
previous year's show, the aged herds consisted 
of one bull and four cows, and that the judges 
placed the first prize on a herd of Shorthorns, 
while the Herefords were forced to be contented 
with second place. This year, the rule was, 
herds to consist of one bull two years old or 
over, one cow three years old or over, one 
heifer two years, one heifer one year, and one 
under one year old. This year the fortunes 
were reversed and the first prize was placed on 
Fowler & Van Xatta's herd of Herefords, at 
the head of which stood Tregrehan, and among 
the females were Viola, Crocus and Actress. 
The second place went to Mr. Wilhoit's Short- 
horn herd. The third prize went to Mr. 
Thomas Clark's Hereford herd, at the head of 
which stood An.xiety 3d, and the females of 
which were Peerless, Duchess 12th, Silver and 
Flossie. 

In the j-oung beef herds, under two years old, 
the Shorthorns did not draw a prize. The 
first prize was awarded to Messrs. Fowler & 
Van Natta's young herd of Herefords; the 
second was awarded to Messrs. Earl & Stuart, 
who had a choice herd of young things, at the 
head of which stood the bull Jumbo. 

New England Fair, 1883.— The New Eng- 
land Agricultural Society, which held its an- 
nual meeting at Manchester, N. H., Septem- 
ber 4th to 7th, 1883, had a good display of 
stock. In the Hereford class there were 
awarded to J. P. Kimball, of Canterbury, N. 
H., first and second for two-year-old bulls, 
second prize for yearling bull, first for bull 
calf, first and second for aged cows, first for 
two-year-old heifer, first for yearling heifer, 
and first for heifer calf. To Seth Quimby, of 
Bow. X. H., first prize for yearling bull. The 
sweepstakes gold medal for best bull was given 
to J. P. Kimball for his bull Major, and a 
silver medal for his cow Mollie Holmes. Mr. 
Kimball also took the Hereford herd premium. 

Mr. W. P. Small, of Canterbury, N. H., in 
the grade class showed Herefords and won first 
and second prize for two-year-old heifer and 
first for heifer calf, against other breeds. He 



also took lirst and second prize for two-year- 
old steers broken to the yoke, and first prize for 
yearling steers broken to the yoke. The 
"Country Gentleman" had the following to 
say of this fair: 

"The Herefords attracted great attention. 
One point of value operating to make this 
breed and the Devons popular in New England 
is the beauty and usefulness of the oxen. The 
best yokes of working oxen and fat cattle at this 
show were of these breeds. W. P. Small, of 
Canterbury, and J. P. Kimball, of the same 
place, showed over twenty head each, and 
there was not a poor Hereford in the pens. 
The New England Hereford breeders call these 
cattle excellent in the dairy as well as for work- 
ing and the shambles. Judging from the in- 
terest shown at this fair the Hereford is gain- 
ing in popular favor in the Eastern States." 

At the Iowa State Fair, 1883. — The 
Hereford breeders were: Wyoming Hereford 
Association, of Cheyenne; Mr. Ben. Hershey, 
of Muscatine, la., Swan Bros. & Kaufman, of 
Indianola, Iowa ; G. S. Burleigh, of Mechanics- 
ville, Iowa ; W. C. McGavock, of Franklin, Mo. 

Best aged bull, first prize; Wyoming Here- 
ford Association (Rudolph) ; second, G. S. 
Burleigh. Best two-vear-old bull, first prize, 
G. S. Bnrl('i<rh. Best one-year-old Imll. first 




BURLEIGH'S PRIDE. 

Cross-bred from Angus sire and Hereford dam by H. C. 

Burleigh, Vassalboro, Me. 

and second prizes, Wyoming Hereford Ass'n. 
Best 'bull calf, first prize, Wyoming Hereford 
Ass'n. 

Aged cow, first prize, G. S. Burleigh ; second, 
Wyoming Hereford Ass'n. Best two-year-old 
female, first prize, Swan Bros. & Kaufman; 
second, W. C. McGavock. Best one-year-old 
heifer, first prize, Wyoming Hereford Ass'n; 
second, G. S. Burleigh. Best heifer calf, first 
and second prizes, Wyoming Hereford Ass'n. 



440 



HISTOEY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Sweepstakes: All breeds competing. Third 
prize, Wyoming Hereford Ass'n. 

The Platt Prize Hereford Steer. — The 
champion Hereford steer at Smithfield, 1883, 
was bred by Mr. Frederick Platt, of Upper 
Breinton, Hereford, England. This steer was 
two years, four months and two weeks and four 
days" old, and was bred from the Hereford stock 
of Mr. Aaron Rogers on the dam's side. His 
sire was Horace 2493 (3877). (H 286) This 
bull Horace was the animal that Mr. Platt paid 
$2,500 for when he was ten years old. He had 




PLUSH. 

Grand sweepstakes carcass, Chicago Pat Stock Show, 1SS6. 
Fed by John Gosling. 

been the stock bull in Mr. John Price's herd at 
Court House, Pembridge, Eng. He was a bull 
of remarkable substance, and covered with a 
curly coat of hair that is seldom equaled. He 
was such a prepotent sire that he conveyed his 
good qualities to most of his descendants, and 
many of his get have been prize winners in the 
show ring. 

The steer weighed 1,(180 pounds, and won in 
a ring of ten competitors. . There were shown in 
the same ring a steer bred by Mr. Thos. Lewis, 
of Woodhouse, sired by Young Sir Frank 2669 
(4274) ; two more steers bred by Mr. Lewis 
Lloyd, of Monks Orchard, sired by Lord Wilton 
4057 (4740), of which so much was said as a 
stock getter; another, bred by J. R. Hill, by 
Commander 3209 (4452), the Mrs. Edward's 
bull. The second prize in the ring, however, 
went to a second steer exhibited by Mr. Platt, 
which was also by Horace. The third prize 
went to a steer bred by the late Mr. Morris, of 
Weston. 

We quote the following from the "Breeders' 
Journal" report of the Kansas City F.it 
Stock Show for 1883 : 

The two important exhibits of live stock in 
America for 1883, the first at Kansas City, the 



second at Chicago, have made a long stride 
toward settling the merits of the breeds. 

The Kansas City Show was the first that liad 
been held there, and was a very creditable open- 
ing. The Herefords were represented by W. 
E. Campbell, of Caldwell, Kansas, with a year- 
ling heifer and steer from Texas cows and a 
Hereford bull and five heifer calves. This 
exhilut was one of the most interesting and at- 
tractive of the show, as indicating the potency 
of the Herefords and their ability to improve 
the common cattle of the country. They were 
of fine quality, and would have passed without 
iiianv doulits for thoroughbreds. 

Fielding W. Smith, of Woodlandville, Mo., 
had on exhibition five yearling steers, the get 
of Dictator, (^287) the champion bull at St. 
Louis in 1881 and 1882. These were out of 
Shorthorn cows, and were of great substance; 
one of them was as perfect a beast as there was 
in the show, and we hope to see him and his 
master another year, the steer having passed 
the interim in the hands of a good feeder. 

Messrs. Scott & Broaders, of Leavenworth, 
Kansas, exhibited a half-blood Hereford steer 
— a very smooth, level animal, not fat enough 
to win, but an excellent butcher's beast. 
Messrs. Gudgell & Simpson, Independence, 
Mo., exhibited a very good pair of pure-bred 
Hereford steers. Messrs. A. A. Crane & Sons, 
of Osco, 111., exhibited a pair of thoroughbreds 
and one grade Hereford bullock. T. E. Miller, 
of Beecher, 111., exhibited a pure-bred, fat 
Hereford cow. Messrs. Seabury & Sample, of 
Lafayette, Ind., exhibited a yearling grade 
Hereford steer of good quality. Messrs. 
Fowler & Van Natta, of Fowler, Ind., made 
an exhibit of the grade Hereford steer Benton's 
Champion. Thomas Clark, of Beecher, 111., 
exhibited his yearling grade Hereford steers 
Nip and Tuck. These attracted a good deal of 
attention, and were very creditable steers. 

The Herefords made a very creditable show, 
Adams Earl winning on Hereford bullocks 
three and under four years old, with Wabash 
(T|288) first premium; A. A. Crane & Sons 
taking second. A. A. Crane & Sons also took 
first premium on Hereford bullocks two and 
under three years old. Gudgell & Simpson 
took first and second on Hereford steers one 
and under two years. T. E. Miller took first 
premium on Hereford cow three years old and 
over; Gudgell & Simpson taking second. 
Adams Earl took special premium, a farm 
wagon, for best Hereford animal in the show, 
on pure-bred steer Wabash. W. E. Campbell 
took special premium of $25 on Hereford cow. 

The Shorthorns were fairly represented, J. 



ins T () H Y O F II E K E F O R D I' A T T L E 



441 



H. Potts & Son takiiTg the champion prize for 
best steer in the show with the three-year-old 
Shorthorn steer Starliglit. Fowler & Van 
\atta took champion prize over all breeds for 
l)est two-year-old in the show with Benton's 
Champion. Thos. Clark took champion jjrize 
for liest yearling beast in the show with the 
steer Tuck. 

With the figures before us, it is wi'll to make 
the comparison that they enable us to do. The 
champions by ages for the highest honors — the 
best beasts in the show — were Starlight, Ben- 
ton's Champion, and Tuck. Their ages and 
weights were as follows: 

Age in G'n p'r Name of 

days. Wt. day. Exhibitor. Breed. BuUoclt. 

1382 2170 1.57 J. H. Potts & Son. G. Shorn. Starlight. 

911 1885 2.06 Fowler & VauNatta. G. H'tord. B. Cham. 

526 1240 2.35 Thos. Clark. G. H'ford. Tuck. 

H08 2350 1.66 Adams Earl. T. H'ford. Wabash. 

It will be noticed that Starlight is one year 
three and one-half months older than Benton's 
Champion, and only weighed 285 pounds more. 
The only open question is the one of quality. If 
Starlight was in quality much better than 
Benton's Champion, it might be an excuse or 
reason why the championship should have been 
given him, but we think that the steer Benton's 
Champion was the better quality. And if Tuck 
was slaughtered he would show a better quality 
of meat than either, though he had not as mucli 
weight for age as had Benton's Champion. 
There is a tendency with judges to give the 
awards to the larger bullock. 

It is perhaps well to compare the merits of 
Starlight and Waliash. Wabash is IIG days 
or nearly four months older than Starlight, and 
weighed 180 pounds the most. Although four 
months older, he has made a gain per day of 
l.fifi, wliile Starlight has only made 1.57. 

A feature at this show was the sale of Hero- 
fords by Mr. Adams Earl, of Lafayette, Ind.. 
making an average of nearly $G0() — nearly or 
quite $100 more than the best sale of Angus or 
(ialloways. 

The Chicago Fat Stock Show, 1883, 
opened (to quote the "Breeders' Journal" re- 
port), with one of the largest exhibits ever made 
since its first opening, and with more satis- 
factory financial results. We have no need to 
call the attention of our readers to the manage- 
ment of the show held a year ago; to the gross 
and glaring frauds as to the ages of steers ex- 
liibited by Shorthorn exhibitors, and the pro- 
tection which they had from the ])resideiit of 
the board and the Shorthorn element in and 
out of the board. 

\Vc have no need to call tlie attention of our 
readeis to the strenuous efi'orts made by the 



pri'sident and his associates to defeat the 
resolution re(|uiring all animals that should be 
exhibited at future shows to undergo a critical 
c-xamination by a competent veterinary surgeon 
and two competent and experienced breeders 
of cattle, to determine their ages by the denti- 
tion of teeth, being able to defeat the resolu- 
tion at the January meeting, but were not able 
to defeat it at the February meeting. 

The show opened on the 14th ult. with the 
following entries: 95 Herefords or their 
grades; about 300 Shorthorns or their grades; 
a few Scots and Holsteins. In the classes 
where all breeds competed, the premiums 
awarded to Herefords were as follows: 

Grades or crosses: Best steer or spayed 
heifer three and under four years, 1st, C. M. 
Culbertson, Roan Boy, grade Hereford. Best 
steer or spayed heifer two and under three 
years, 1st, Fowler & Van Natta, Benton's 
Champion, grade Hereford. Best steer one 
and under two years, 2d, Thomas Clark, Tuck, 
grade Hereford. Sweepstakes: Best steer 
or cow in this class, C. M. Culbertson, Roan 
Boy, grade Hereford. Sweepstakes: Best steer 
or spayed heifer three years and under four, 
judged by feeders, Mr. Culbertson's Roan Boy. 




HENRY F. RUSSELL. 
Westonbury. Herefordshire. 

Grand Sweepstakes: Best steer or heifer any 
age or breed, awarded to Mr. Culbertson's Eoan 
Boy. 

Best lot of eight cattle three years and under 
four, all breeds competing, 1st, John B. Sher- 
man, Hereford and Shorthorn. 



443 



HISTORY OP HEREFORD C A T T E E 



Best twelve cattle one year and under two, 
all breeds, 1st, Fowler & Van Natta, Here- 
fords; 2d, C. M. Culbertson. 

In the competition for cost of production, 
the Herefords won in the class for steer or 
spayed heifer two and under three years, first 
premium on spayed- heifer Hattie, exhibited by 
Ct. S. Burleigh, Mechanicsville, la. 

And again in the class for steer or spayed 
heifer one and under two years, first premium 
to steer Stonington, exhibited by R. J. Stone, 
Stonington, 111. 

A large amount of cash in special premiums 
given at this show from fund collected by the 




American Hereford Breeders' Association was 
won by the following exhibitors: Adams Earl, 
A. A." Crane & Son, C. B. Stuart, C. M. Cul- 
bertson, Fowler & Van Natta, B. Hershev, 
John B. Sherman, Thomas Clark, F. W. Smith, 
Tom C. Ponting, H. Xorris & Son. 

The special premium offered Ijy McCormick 
Harvesting Machine Company, for best five cat- 
tle, was won by John B. Sherman, with grade 
Herefords. 

There were a large number of beasts slaugh- 
tered. For the best three-year-old carcass we 
think the Herefords improperly beaten, the first 
premium being given to the Shorthorns, and 
also for the best carcass; and we believe the 
Culbertson steer. Roan Boy, was the best bul- 
lock, the most level, and of the best quality. 
The Potts steer was uneven. If the judges gave 
the award for the greatest amount of outside 
fat, then perhaps there was less room for criti- 
cism. 

THE snows OF 1884. 

A good showing of Herefords was made in 
1884 at the leading shows. At the Illinois 
State Fair by Thomas Clark, Geo. Leigh & 
Co., E. Esson and Jas. Caldwell. 



At tl e St. Locis (Mo.) Fair the Hereford 
prizes were divided between Messrs. C. M. Cul- 
bertson, Earl & Stuart, Wm. Constable, and 
F. W. Smith. 

A determined effort was made this year by 
the Hereford herds of Michigan, marshaled by 
the veteran Hereford advocate, Wm. H. 
Sotham. The leading herds, those of Thomas 
Foster and Wm. Hamilton, of Flint, were 
placed in preparation under the management 
of T. F. B. Sotliam, who was given an interest 
in their winnings. These and other Michigan 
herds made the rounds of the leading County 
and District fairs, and at the State Fair made 
the greatest Hereford show ever seen on its 
grounds. Mr. R. G. Hart, of Lapeer, and 
Edwin Phelps, of Pontiac, adding their herds 
to those above mentioned. 

A special fund of $2,000 was raised among 
the Hereford breeders for Herefords at the 
American Fat Stock Show, and much good 
work was done by enthusiastic effort. 

The Herefords at tlie RpvAL Agricultural 
Snow at Shrewsbury (1884) scored an unpar- 
alleled success; the number of Hereford entries 
largely exceeded those of any other breed of 
cattle, and the quality throughout was so 
marked that they monopolized the attention of 
visitors. There were 144 entries, but though 
they have no class for family groups, there were 
classes for pairs of bulls, classes for pairs of 
heifers, and classes for four heifers, so that the 
number of animals exhibited was much larger 
than that. 

The first prize for old bulls fell to Mr. Aaron 
Roger's Archibald (^289), the second to Lord 
Coventry's Fisherman (^290). 

The first prize for cows in milk or in calf 
was awarded to Lord Coventry's Golden Treas- 
ure. 

The first prize for cow and two offspring was 
awarded to Mr. H. W. Taylor for the cow Ros- 
amond and her produce. 

The first prize for four heifers went to the 
executors of Mr. T. J. Carwardine, and the first 
for pairs of heifers was awarded to Mr. John 
Price (11291). 

There was never such a show of Herefords 
made in the world before. 

188.5.— AT the fairs (11292.) 

The Illinois State Fair was held at Chi- 
cago, on the grounds of the Driving Park, near 
Douglas Park, in the western part of the city. 
A Hereford exhibit creditable fo the breed was 
made by Messrs. Fowler & Van ^STatta, of Fow- 
ler, Ind. ; Iowa Hereford Cattle Co., of Indian- 
ola, la. ; J. C. Bertram, of Aurora, III. ; C. M. 



II T S T O R Y F H K U K F () IJ 1 1 i ' A T '1 



443 



Culbertson, of Chicago; A. C. Reed (11293), 
of Goodenow, 111.; E. E. Esson (11294), of 
Teotone. 111.; Jas. H. McEldowncy (11295), 
of Illinois, showing about IJO head all told. 

At the Fair at Bismarck, Kansas, the Here- 
ford e.xhihit was bv J. S. Ilawes, Shockcy & 
(iibl) (11291), 11297), Lncicn Scott, (i. A. Fow- 
ler, all of Kansas (11298). 

At the Iowa State Fair, for the sweepstakes 
for the liest herd, there were ten herds shown 
of the different breeds. Third prenuiini was 
gained for the Herefords by the Iowa Here- 
ford Cattle Co. (1[299). A. A. Crane, of Illi- 
nois, and Ford & Drummie, of Iowa, made up a 
fine exhibit (11300). 

The Ifichigan State Fair witnessed another 
sjdendid show of Herefords. This year the ex- 
liiliit came from the herds of \Mlliani Hamil- 
ton, Thos. Foster, Foster & Pearsall, Edwin 
I'helps, R. G. Hart (11301), of Michigan, and 
F. H. Johnson & Co. (11302), of Indiana. 
There was as usual in Michigan no competition 
between breeds. 

■ At the Indiana State Fair, the Herefords 
were represented by the Indiana herds. F. H. 
Johnson & Co., of South Bend, and the Indiana 
Blooded Stock Co., of Indianaj)olis, making a 
most creditable show. 

The Herefords were exhibited at Nebraska 
State Fair 188.5, l)y J. S. Hawes (H 303), Kan- 
sas, his herd being headed by Sir Evelyn 
(H 304). The rest of the exhibits were made by 
Chas. M. Sears, of Aurora, Xeb. ; E. E. Day, 
of South Bend, Xeb.; A. A. Crane, of Osco, 
111., the latter herd headed by Equinox 2d, a 
2-vear-old weighing 1,700 pounds. There was 
no sweepstakes lietween breeds (11305, 113011). 

At the iMiglish Royal Show, 1885, there was 
no competition between breeds. The Here- 
fords were well represented. Exhibitors were : 
J. Price, I'larl of Coventry, H. R. Hall (H 307), 
H. W. Tavlor (11308), J. Rankin, M. P.; W. 
Tudge, C.'Knott, T. S. Minton (11309), J. H. 
Arkwright, A. Hughes (11310), F. J. Gough, 
S. Miller, A. P. Turner (11311), J. Xaylor, J. 
R. Hill, S. Robinson (11'312). 

The Show was a very creditable one to the 
Hereford cattle. 

At the Gi.orcKSTER AaiucrLTURAL Sirow, 
among the Shorthorn exhibitors were some of 
the be.st of the Shorthorn breeders. "Bell's 
Weekly ^lessenger" says of the Herefords: 
"Thev made a magnificent display." The aged 
bulls'were H. W. Tavlor's :Maidstone (11313), 
Lord Coventry's Good Boy, H. R. Hall's Hot- 
spur (11314)'. They stood- first, second and 
third in the order named. Mr. Taylor's ^laid- 
stone took the champion j)rize for the best male 



animal of any breed in the show, and his Van- 
ity 7th likewise for the best female in the 
show. "If these honors had not been repeated 
so often in England this year," says the "Mes- 
senger," "we might attempt to enlarge upon 
these awards." An interesting fact in con- 
nection with these sweepstakes awards is that 
of the three 'judges, two were Shorthorn 
l>reeders. 

At the Royal Counties Show, 1885, at South- 
ampton, all breeds in competition. Earl Coven- 
try took the champion prize with his Hereford 
bull Goodbov, defeating the Shorthorn, Sus- 
sex (1131G) and Devon (11317) breeds. 

Mr. John Price took champion prize for 
bull and offspring at Biugutox. 

At the Oxfordshire Fair, 1885, the Earl of 
Coventry won sweepstakes with Hereford bull 
Goodboy and Hereford cow Golden Treasure, 
in competition with all breeds. Mr. Joseph 
Darby, writing to the "Farmer," savs: "Mr. 
Handley's Self Esteem 2d (11318), which here 
came into collision with the Earl of Coventry's 
Good Boy, had for the past two seasons been 
tile crack Shorthorn of the period." 

Chicago Fat Stock Show, 1885. — At 
the American Fat Stock Show, 1885, the 
Herefords scored a splendid victory. The ex- 
hibit was one of the best made at this show, 
and the Illinois State Board of Agriculture was 
entitled to great credit for the advancement 
they had made in the selection of judges. It 




PURE-BRED STEER. 
Bred by F. Piatt, Barnby Manor. Newark-ou-Trent. Cham- 
pion at Smithfleld, 18S6. 



was claimed by the Shorthorn men that they 
had not suitable preparation for this show. 
This statement was made by them to account 
for their defeat, but they proposed to come the 
next year with a stronger exhibit. It is well 
ti^ consider whether this claim for want of read- 
iness for this show was valid or not. First in 
their three-year-old class, Messrs. Morrow & 



444 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 




Reniek came with Schooler (1|319), Bedford 
4th, Eenick Sharon, and Weathers, the pick of 
the Kentuck_y herds, and higli up in the best 
class, and the_y ought to be good representatives 
of the best Shorthorn blood, and we believe 
were fully up to anything that the Shorthorn 
men ever exhibited at this show, having indi- 
vidual and uniform merit. Their two-year-old 
exhibits were very creditable to the breed, and 
in their one-year-old, they may consider them- 
selves fortunate if they can produce another 
Cleveland (^320). Under one-year-old they 
were certainly very 
weak. In grades 
and crosses they 
were represented by 
such breeders as 
George Elliott, of 
Harristown, 111. ; 
J. H. Potts & Son, 
Jacksonville, 111. ; 
B. Waddell, Ma- 
rion, Iowa; John 
B. Sherman, Chi- 
cago, 111.; C. S. 
Barclav, W. Lib- 
erty, la.; J. R. 
Peak, Winchester, 
III; Forbes Bros. 
(^ 323 and 323), 
Henry, 111.; T. W. Hunt, Ashton, 111., and 
Jolm D. Gillette. Our readers will recognize 
among these some of the leading Shorthorn 
breeders of the country. 

Mr. Gillette, especially, came with a world- 
wide reputation as a bullock breeder, and is 
supposed to liave done more to give reputation 
to the Shorthorn breed of cattle than any other 
living man, and while his cattle rank high as 
grades and crosses, the fact still remains that 
Mr. Gillette gave his life work to developing 
the Shorthorn as a butcher's beast, having all 
this time selected the best sires from among 
the Shorthorn families. 

The Polled Angus breeds were represented 
by six thoroughbreds and fifteen grades or cross 
breeds. 

The Holsteins had a small representation in 
thoroughbreds and grades. 

The Hereford exhibits were creditable to the 
breeders (1|321, 1[324), both in thoroughbreds 
and grades. For the winnings we refer to our 
account in the different classes. The judging 
for the different breeds in their purity was com- 
paratively a tame affair. 

The interest culminated when the three- 
year-old grades and crosses were brought into 
competition, and the exhibits were as follows: 



Baruby Ma 



PLATT. 

ir. Nottinghamshire, 



Exhibitor and animal. Weight. 

C. M, Culbertson, Scott 2140 

C. M. Culbertson, Schuttler 2106 

C. M. Culbertson. Reynolds 2055 

C. M. Culbertson, Dysart *. 1890 

C. M. Culbertson, Pearce 1945 

J. B. Sherman, Albright 2220 

Fowler & Van Natta, McGregor 2345 

Fowler & Van Natta, Regulus 2345 

Adams Earl, Dick 2160 

Adams Earl. Excelsior 2070 

Lucien Scott, Jersey 1460 

Ind. Bl'd S. Co., Stonington 1900 

J. B. Sherman, Warfleld 2125 

J. B. Sherman, Richland 2185 

J. B. Sherman. Longmore 2220 

John D. Gillette, J. P. Reynolds 2100 

John D. Gillette. Right-About 2050 

John D. Gillette, McCue 2015 

George Elliott, Little Britain 1765 

J. H. Potts & Son, Champion 1940 

J. H. Potts & Son, Surprise , 1683 

Swan & Bosler. Jake 232* 

Morrow & Reniek, Bales 2320 

John D. Gillette. Barney 2245 

John D. Gillette. Cherry 1750 

B. Waddell, Dan 2080 

Lucien Scott. Boots 2050 

James J. Hill, Hutcheon 2455 

James J. Hill, Turiff 2140 



S, H, G. 
S. H. G. 
S. H. G. 
S. H. G. 
H. G. 
An. G. 
An. G. 



The first premium went to Fowler & Van 
Xatta, and the second and third to Mr. Cul- 
bertson. The exhibit of two-year-old grades 
and crosses was largo and as follows: 

Exhibitor and animal. Weight. Blood. 

C. S. Barclay. White Cedar 1900 S. H. G. 

Charles B. Stuart, Texas Boy 1500 G. Hd. 

Seabury & Sample, -Joe 1705 G. Hd. 

Fowler & Van Natta. Dandy Boy 1905 G. Hd. 

Fowler & Van Natta, Benton Will 1805 G. Hd. 

Fowler & Van Natta, Adams 1930 G. Hd. 

Fowler & Van Natta. Peter 1304 G. Hd. 

B. Hershey, Prospect 1920 G. Hd. 

J. H. Potts & Son, Red Cloud 1810 G. S. H. 

J. H. Potts & Son, victor 1805 G. S. H. 

J. H. Potts & Son. Major Taylor 1580 G. S. H. 

J. H. Potts & Son. Richmond 1545 G. S. H. 

J. H. Potts & Son. Billie S 1640 G. S. H. 

J. H. Potts & Son. Mack 1610 G. S. H. 

J. R, Peak & Son, Roan Boy 1685 G. S. H. 

J. R. Peak & Son. Wild Bill 1580 G. S. H. 

John D. Gillette, Driver 1760 G. S. H. 

John D. Gillette, Rocket 1900 G. S. H. 

John D. Gillette, Victor 1775 G. S. H. 

John D, Gillette. Doc Woods 1865 G. S. H. 

John D. Gillette. Col. Mills 1595 G. S. H. 

John D. Gillette. Constance 1655 G. S. H. 

John n. Gillette, Red Plum 1560 G. S. H. 

John D. Gillette, Cuba 1770 G. S. H. 

John D. Gillette. Cain 1730 G. S. H. 

J. B. Sherman, Gem 1840 G. S. H. 

J. B. Sherman, Turk 1620 G. S. H. 

Forbes Bros., R. Brodus 1800 G. S. H. 

Forbes Bros., Varna 1690 G. S. H. 

Lucien Scott, Captain 1920 G. Hoi. 

In the two-year-old class grades and crosses 
the Herefords found their weakest place. The 
first premiums went to J. H. Potts & Son, the 
second to John B. Sherman, both first and sec- 
ond Shorthorn grades, the third to Fowler & 
Van Xatta's grade Hereford. 

The yearlings were as follows : 

Exhibitor and animal. Weight. Blood. 

Adams Earl. Sir Bartle 1st 1470 G. Hd. 

Adams Earl. Sir Bartle 2d 1515 G. Hd. 

Adams Earl, Sir Bartle 3d 1420 G. Hd. 

Adams Earl. Sir Bartle 4th 1295 G. Hd. 

Adams Earl. Sir Bartle 5th 1325 G. Hd. 

Adams Earl, LaFayette 1220 G. Hd. 

Swan & Bosler Co.. Roan Dan 1155 G. Hd. 

Fowler & Van Natta. Sam 1355 G. Hd. 

Fowler & Van Natta. Matthews 1280 G. Hd. 

Ind. Blooded Stock Co., Lindall 1535 G. Hd. 

Ind. Blooded Stock Co.. Leland 1475 G. Hd. 

Ind. Blooded Stock Co., Photograph.... 1290 G. Hd. 



HISTORY OF ESKEFORD CATTLE 



445 



Exhibitor anJ animal. Weight. 

Scabury & Sample. Uob 1435 

Seabury & Sample, Mort 1390 

Seabury & Sample, Sam 1185 

Scabury & Sample, Jack 1630 

J. H. Potts & Son, Uob Moore 1325 

J. R. Peak & Son, Tommylin 1140 

J. R. Peak & Son, Henry 1275 

J. R. Peak & Son, Marcus ll.iS 

J. R. Peak & Son. Richard 1170 

J. R. Peak & Son, Arch 1290 

J. R. Peak & Son, Rover 

John D. Gillette, Roy 1470 

John D. Gillette, Champion 1.505 

John D. Gillette, Rob 1260 

John D. Gillette, Lightfoot 1280 

B. Waddell, Philip 1065 

T. W. Hunt, Billy 1210 

T. W. Hunt, Reliance 1200 

Lucien Scott, Last Chance 1300 

Wm. R. Estill, Flash 1360 



The fir.-it, st'tond and tliird premiums went 
to Adams Earl for Hereford grades, sired by 
Sir Bartle Frere (^ 325). 

The foregoing tables are interesting as com- 
paring the weights of Herefords with other 
breeds and prove that by the scales test the 
average for Hereford has no superior, if indeed 
they are equaled. 

The show of calves numbered twenty-eight 
entries, one-half of which were by Hereford 
bulls. The first and second premiums went to 
J. R. Price, Williamsville, 111., on Herefords. 

For Iw'st grades, any age. Fowler & Van 
Natta's Reguhis (H 326) was winner. In sweep- 
stakes liy ages tlie show was confined to winning 
steers in the different classes, and in the three- 
year-old class the competitors were the pure- 
bred Shorthorn Scliooler, and the pure-bred 
Hereford, Suspense, and the grade Hereford 
Regulus. The Fowler & Van Natta steer Rcg- 
ulus took the champion prize as the best three- 
year-old in the show. It is well to state here 
that Suspense, the pure-bred Hereford, would 
have undoul)tedly taken this prize but for the 
fact that he was somewhat overdone. 

In the two-year-old class, Leigh & Crane's 
pure-bred Hereford steer Sampson took the 
champion honors. In the yearling class the 
pure-bred Shorthorn steer Cleveland took the 
champion prize. This beautiful Shorthorn may 
truly be said to have appropriated the Hereford 
type. 

In the calf class Mr. J. R. Price's grade 
Hereford heifer was the champion winner. 
Thus, in four classes, three-year-olds, two-year- 
olds, yearlings and calves, the Herefords took 
three of the prizes and the Shorthorns one. 

There was considerable complaint among the 
losing Shorthorn exhibitors that the sweep- 
stakes should be confined to the three first jirize 
steers in the different classes; hence another 
ring was created by the Board, which was 
termed the "consolation sweepstakes by ages." 
It is quite safe to say that no amount of com- 



])laint by Hereford exhil)itors had ever Imuight 
about such a concession. 

The four regular winning steers above 
named, not being admitted to this ring, enabled 
Scliooler, a Shorthorn, to take a first prize as 
a three-yeai:-old ; Mr. J. J. Hill's (11327) Ben- 
holm (Polled Angus) to take first as a yearling, 
and J. H. Potts & Son's Diamond, a grade 
Shorthorn, to take the first as a calf. 

Messrs. Morrow & Renick carried off the 
])rize for the best pen of cattle three years old 
and under four, with Shorthorns, and the In- 
diana Blooded Stock Co. the second with Here- 
fords. For the best two-year-old under three, 
Fowler & Van Natta, first with Herefords; 
John B. Sherman, second with Shorthorns. 
For the best pen of yearlings, Adams Earl, 
with Herefords ; second to the Indiana Blooded 
Stock Co., with Herefords. The best pen of 
calves, J. A. Funkhouser first, and the Swan 
Live Stock Co. second, both Herefords. 

The Shorthorns won all three prizes for heav- 
iest fat steers with overgrown oxen that can 
only be produced at a loss. The only merit in 
the exhibit for heaviest bullock is, that it grati- 
fies the curiosity of a good many city visitors, 
there being no merit in either of the three bul- 
locks. The Board later abolished this class. 

For the greatest gain per day in the three- 
year-old class. Fowler & "\'an Natl a won both 
first and second 
with Herefords. In 
calves, Mr. Benj. 
Hershey took sec- 
ond with a grade 
Hereford. 

For the grand 
sweepstakes for the 
best beast in the 
show, the compe- 
tition was between 
Elbert & Fall's 
Shorthorn steer 
Cleveland; the In- 
diana Blooded 
Stock Co.'s thor- 
oughbred Hereford 
Suspense : Mr. J. 
J. Hill's Benholm, 

Polled Angus; Messrs. Fowler & Van Xatta's 
Regulus, grade Hereford, and a group of cows 
not eligible elsewhere in the show. 

Fowler & Van Xatta's grade Hereford Reg- 
ulus was awarded the honor as the best beast 
in the show. The "Breeders' Gazette" prize 
for the best animal in the show, bred and raised 
bv the exhibitor, was awarded to Mr. C. M. 
Culbertson, on Dysart (11328). 




RBES KEENE, 
Pencraig. Careleon, Mon- 
mouthshire. 



446 



HISTORY OF H E K E F K D CATTLE 



Perot, of car- S '■ 






Shrinkage. 
Trimmings 

Hide 

Lungs 

Heart 

Tallow .... 

Guts 

Liver 

Paunch . . . 



S! :? :|! ;S ;S 



:S i?! :S ;^ :f! 



;J3 ;?? ^ ;!? ;^' 



;fi ;« ;S ;S ;« 



Blood 

Left hind- 
quarter 

Right hind- 
quarter 

Left fore- 
quarter 

Eight fore- 
quarter.... 

Four quar- 



;S ;S ;:? ;S ;S ^ ;? :f! :f; :S ;fJ 



o 
Q 



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HIST K Y O V 1 1 l<: U E F R D CATTLE 



447 



In till' drt'sswl careas!; contest, for best two- 
year-old carcass, Seabury & Sample's Joe, a 
graiU' Ilt'reford, was winner, which also gained 
the sweei)stakes for the best carcass of any age. 
For carcass showing the greatest amount of 
edible beef, Mr. Hill's Turitf won. The carcass 
exhibit was one of the most interesting in the 
show. With very few exceptions the carcasses 
wore creditable. The weather was very unfa- 
vorable for the best appearance of the meat, 
and it was decided tliat for Tutun' shows some 




KATHLEEN. 

Bred by A. P. Turner (sire. The Grove 3d), winner of 15 

first and champion prizes; exported to Argentine, S. A. 



provision should be made by which meat could 
be cooled, that exhibitors miglit have the benefit 
of the best appearance the different carcasses 
might make. 

Not a carcass of all that were killed was 
properly cooled or set, and this had been true 
u]i to this time in the majority of all the 
slaughtering tests. A table of results is in- 
cluded on opposite page. 

The judgment on the whole was fair, impar- 
tial and intelligent, and it may be fairly stated 
that more value may be attached to the awards 
made at this show than at any former show. 

At the Kansas City Fat Stock Show in 
18So (mentioned also in chapter 38), for the 
best three-year-old dressed carcass, first pre- 
mium was gained by W. E. Campbell, with 
grade Hereford. 

The Herefords scored again for best two- 
year-old carcass, J. S. Hawes taking first pre- 
mium. Mr. Hawes also gained the champion- 
ship for best dressed carcass in the show with 
the same two-year-old Hereford. 

Although in competition between breeds, on 
foot, the Hereford took only one premium, 
that to James A. Funkhouser for Challenge 
under one year old. for carcasses they took two 
out of three sweepstakes. 

We present a table on the results of thy 
slaughter test: 



Per ct. of carcass. ^ ^ 

Net to live weight, g S? 

Kighthiiirt'inarter. g |?, 

Left hindquarter. . ^ ■ ^ 

Iiightforeqiiarter.. g |j 



S ?2 g !5 





Left torequarter... 


S 


S5 


M 


n 


S 


S 


c 


t- 


S3 


s 


s 




Hide 


S 


s 


g 




g 


1 


g 


s 


§ e; 


o 












•J! 






3 


1 


2 




;f 


S 




X 


Tallow 




o 
o 


g 




i 


3 


1 


3 


!g S 


s 


" 




S 


*' 










;f 




;S ;? 


;:? 


> 


Weight of head ... 




s 


o 




n 




? 


?3 


ti S3 


2 


z. 




^ 












1 




^ 2 


* 


X 


Weight of feet 


«> 


2 


c^ 




" 






S 


2 r- 


" 


^ 




;S 


^ 




:f 


g! 




;f 


;S 


:S 
























« 


.^ 


Weight of paunch. 


^ 


B 


2 


St 


« 




;: 


** 


00 OC 




H 
























» 








f 


g 














< 


Weight of guts.. .. 


S 


« 






5s 


!:: 


S 


^ 


° £■ 


S 


























r- 


Weight of spleen.. 


2 


«-> 


s 




^ 


2 


^ 2 i! 2 


2 


H 
















































O 






i-' 














> 




EC 


Weight of liver.. .. 


" 




2 




•^ 




'■^ 


= 


;:! "■ 


o 


< 
























W 




vti 
















^ 




< 

Eh 


Weight of heart. .. 




o 


^. 


t^ 


'^ 




" 


■- 




u= 


Weight of tongue. 


f 


^ 


l_ 


t- 


^ 


i 


J, 


^ 


jji ^ ^ 


<J 
























03 


Weight of lungs. . . 


;?.' 


O 


o 


1 


:f 


c- 


OC 


^ 


o t- 




sq 
























H 










;f 












:S 


K 


Weight of blood... 


S 


S 


\e 




l; 




? 


% 


^. 5 


S 


W 
























H 






















S 


K 


Live weight time 


T- 


JH 


s 


K 


S 


s 


^ 


P 


S ?■ 




O 


slaughter 


.Z- 


r-" 










r- 


'- 


-J ^ 


-; 


D 


























<! 




>. 






















-J 


^ 


5 


JS 


(1, 


















Ed 


s 
























B 


< 


« 


o 


t 




^ 






- 




J^ 




H 


a 


i 


^ 


fl 


£ 


» 






i 




I 


a 



■<<!SaH'?£^w'^S 



£ * 5 £ £ £ £ 

m O m ffi a I M 






•^ o S ^ a g ; 



448 



HISTORY OF HEKEFOKD CATTLE 




THE ENGLISH SHOWS FOR 1885. 

The '"Mark Lane Express" said of the Bath 
and West of England Show at Brighton : 

"There was one feature in connection with 
the show at Brighton which did not appear on 
the surface, but when culminated proved to be 
of a very important and striking character. 
This was' the large and good class for groups 
of animals, bull and two of his get, all pure 
breeds competing. As very many of the ani- 
mals which formed the several family groups 
were entered in the 
ordinary breed sec- 
tions, no idea of the 
actual scope of this 
class could be formed 
until the several 
groups had been made 
up from the rank 
and file of the cattle 
and marshaled in the 
ring; then it formed 
the finest sight of 
the kind which any 
show yard in the 
country has ever af- 
forded. Those who 
witnessed the Judging 
of this remarkable 
competition in the great horse ring will not be 
likely soon to forget the sight of the twenty- 
one different lots, comprising groups of Here- 
fords, Devons, Sussex, Shorthorns, and even 
of the Highland breed. But of this more in 
its place. It is to be. hoped that the Eoyal and 
other leading societies will do more to encour- 
age similar competitions, as they are of great 
interest, and likely to prove practically useful. 
The Royal does not pit breed against breed in 
its class for groups, but the Essex society has 
been doing good work in this way. A prize or 
prizes, worth winning, and open to all comers 
— of pure blood — would be sure to make breed- 
ers try their best not only for themselves but 
also for the prestige of the particular breed in 
which they are interested. This particular 
competition will be something by which to re- 
member the Brighton meeting, for it was really 
a show in itself. 

"Hcrefords were in about the usual numbers, 
all very select, and all exceedingly well shown. 
In the small classes for older bulls, Mr. H. R. 
Hall, of Holme Lacy, won with one of Lord 
Wilton's get. Hotspur (7736), bred by the 
late T. J. Carwardine; Mr. John Price's Hot- 
spur (7028) (H 329), by Regulus (4076), came 
in second, so that the position of these two ani- 



riials was the same as at the Essex show. Lord 
Coventry's Goodboy (7668) was entered in this 
class, but as he had won the first prize in it last 
year he was not eligible to compete. Mr. H. 
W. Taylor's Maidstone (8875), winner of the 
champion prize at Dublin this year, had really 
no competition at Brighton, as he did not com- 
pete with the two Hotspurs as at Waltham 
Abbey. In the younger class Mr. J. Price's 
Pembridge, by Hotspur (7038), was first, as at 
Waltham Abbey. The class for yearling heifers 
was commended throughout by the judges, as it 
deserved to be. Hereford breeders will be not 
a little indebted to the persistency with which 
the Earl of Coventry exhibits his stock; the 
' cattle are good, he is always ready to send them 
far and near, and the successes he has met with 
are no more than he deserves. 

"The competition in the class for bulls of 
any pure breed with two of their offspring, to 
which reference has already been made, really 
demands more space than we can devote to it. 
The scope of a competition of this sort is really 
greater than appears at first sight, because the 
whole of the cattle sections can be drawn upon. 
As we have said before, the object of it is pri- 
marily to show the character of the bull's stock, 
and also to create a wholesome rivalry between 
the several breeds. At the recent Essex show 
there was a precisely similar class, and two of 
the groups competed again at Brighton, with a 
diiferent result, as will be presently seen. The 
competition, which was under the head of 'any 
breed,' comprised 20 entries of family groups, 
namely, five families of Jerseys (1|330), four 
oi Merefords, four of Sussex, two Devons, two 
t^horthorns, two Guejnseys, and one Highland 
Scotch (^331). We are not in a position to 
say positively that all these groups were in 
their places before the judges, because of the 
difficulty of making a complete examination 
whilst they were in the ring, and many of them 
had elsewhere no Jocus standi as a group. It 
will suffice to say, however, that they not only 
'filled the eye,' but they filled the great horse 
ring — the only decent ring there was on the 
ground. As an educational institution it far 
and away exceeded anything else at Brighton, 
and we take it that it was the best competition 
of its kind which has ever been before the Brit- 
ish public. The Hereford groups were from 
the herds of Mr. John Price, Mr. S. Robinson, 
Lord Coventry, and Mr. T. Duckham, M. P. 
Mr. Price's group won the chief prizes, which 
consisted of a first prize in the class, value 30 
pounds sterling ($150). and a silver cup offered 
by the Marquis of Bristol ; they were the four- 
year-old bull Hotspur (7028), the two-year-old 



HISTOKY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Ud 



heifer Dowager, dam l)y Horace (387T), and 
the yearling lieifer Venus, dam by Tlieodore 
2d (5707). Tliis group was in competition 
with Mr. Handley's Sliorthorns at the Essex 
show the other day, namely, the white bull 
Hovinghain (4;53():{), now nearly six years old, 
sire Sir Artiiur Ingram (32490) ; the noted 
bull Self Esteem 2d, dam by Sir ]^bin 
(40720), and the bull calf Royal Hovingham, 
(lam by Alfred the (Jreat, Self Esteem being 
probably the best Shorthorn bull of the day. 

"At the Essex show the Shorthorn group was 
placed before the Hereford group, but a protest 
has been lodged against the award on the 
ground of an informal appointment of judges. 
At Brighton this Shorthorn group was simply 
'not in it,' and it is worth bearing in mind that 
the bull Hotspur (7028), which headed the 
winning group of Herefords, was second in 
the older l)ulls' class at Brighton to Mr. H. R. 
Hall's l^iofspur (772r)). The second place was 
awarded to Messrs. E. and A. Stanford, of The 
Ii]atons, Ashurst, Steyning, Sussex, for the Sus- 
sex bull Goldsmith (391), coming eight \'ears 
old, the bull Reading (SK!), over four years 
old, (lam by Clayton (319), and the cow Dorset 
Sth (23t).3), over five years old, dam by Dor- 
chester (32,5). All the cattle comprising this 
group were excellent, and whilst the win of the 
Herefords was unfjuestionably just, the sec- 
ond place given to the Sussex breed was a very 
popular award." 

One of the leading English journals said of 
this award: ''AH this goes to show that when 
the Shorthorns are not made secure by pre- 
]ionderance of influence among the* judges, as 
they have been in the main for years past, they 
do not win every time when they come in com- 
petition with otlier breeds." 

The "Hereford Times"' said: 

"Breeders of Herefords, and people of the 
country generally, will be much gratified to 
hear that th« famous 'whitefaces' have again as- 
serted their splendid qualities in a striking 
manner, the Earl of Coventry having carried off 
the champion bull prize at the Royal Coux- 
TiKS Show at Southampton, on Tuesday, with 
his wonderful Goodboy, defeating the Short- 
horn, Sussex and Devon breeds. The Royal 
Counties Society is, after the national society, 
one of the most important in the country, and 
this fact makes Lord Coventry's suc(X^ss all the 
more creditable. That it should not be said we 
are unduly lauding the breed, or too highly ap- 
])raising its future, we will let an ini])artial 
critic speak. The 'London Times,' in its notice 
of the Show, says: 'In all the .51 entries of 
Shorthorn*. 48 of the Sussex breed, 2G Devons 



and six Herefords, tliere is nothing that is not 
of a high order. In the interesting competi- 
tion for the ten-guinea prize, given i)y Mr. Wal- 
ter, M. P., for the best bull in these four breeds, 
the champion is the Earl of Coventry's Here- 
ford bull Goodboy, a surprisingly good animal 
both in front, along his level and broad back, 
and his hind(iuarters, more particularly his re- 
markable rounds and flank.'" 

The Fairs of 1886. 

At the Minnesota State Fair, 1886, in the 
sweepstakes ring, six herds contested for the 
honors; two herds of Shorthorns, three herds 
of Whitefaces and one of Devons. The judges 
in this class were Mr. R. H. BuUis, of Winne- 
bago City; Mr. J. T. Mather, of Illinois, and 
Mr. Baker, of Hustisford, Wis. The Herefords 
took all the honors in this contest. J. 0. Curry, 
Aurora, 111., took sweepstakes for the best her(i ; 
Iowa Hereford Cattle Co. second. 

At the Nebraska State Fair in 1886, Here- 
fords made a grand show in their classes and in 
the grand sweepstakes for the best herd of any 




breed; Shockey & Gibb took first sweepstakes 
premium for their Hereford herd, consisting of 
Beau Real, Lady Wilton, Downton Ringdove, 
by Auctiont^er; Pinktie, by Remus, and Sarah 
Miller, by Success. 

The Fair at Lawrence, Kansas, in 1886, 
was in all respects a creditable show. The 



450 



H I S T E Y OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Herefords were from the herds of Shockey & 
Gibb, Lucien Scott, Walter Morgan & Son, 
and George W. West. 

Bangok, Maine, Fair, 1886. — This great ex- 
hibition of agriculture and domestic industry 
at Bangor proved to be throughout the greatest 
success of its kind ever recorded in Xew Eng- 
land. It was successful at all points, in the 
list of fine cattle and horses shown, in the ex- 
tensive collection of farm implements and ma- 
chinery, in the multitudes it drew from all 
parts of 'Now England and beyond, and finan- 
cial' "" ■ ' - ' ' iiltural societies whose 




i- ■ .is^J^Bs-sagfe^-: 



FORTUNE (5922) 20Su. 
Bred by J. S. Hawes. Colony, Kan. 



joint efforts, directed by experienced manage- 
ment, secured this triumph and presented the 
interests of farming in so attractive a light be- 
fore the public, had the most substantial rea- 
sons to be satisfied with their work, which has 
received such endorsement from the people. 

We noticed in the awards made, Burleigh & 
Bodwell, of Vassalhoro, took 15 first and 7 
second prizes with first for best herd of Here- 
fords, and first and second for best Hereford 
bull three years and over. 

The working oxen and steers, the town teams, 
the trained steers, matched oxen, and pulling 
oxen, with the rest, filled the exhibition park 
with attractions such as no true farmer could 
but be pleased with. Such a display of fine 
stock it was worth the trouble to- cross New 
England to inspect and admire. The equal of 
it )iad not been seen in that, if indeed in any 
other, section of the country before, and it all 
imparted a solid character to the exhibition 
which it would not have been possible to supply 
by an indefinite extent of exhiliition of any 
other kind. 

At the Iowa State Fair, 1886, all the de- 
partments were well filled, and the cattle ex- 
hibits were especiaJly fine, consisting of five 



herds of Herefords, twelve herds of Shorthorns, 
seven herds of Holsteins, five herds of Jerseys, 
one herd of Red Polled (T|332), and one herd 
of Aberdeen Angus (T[332A). For the best 
sweepstake show, all breeds. Swan & Bosler Co. 
took first premium for grade steer calf, with a 
Hereford. In Hereford sweepstakes, the Iowa 
Hereford Cattle Co. took first for best bull of 
any age and best cow of any age. For grand 
herd premiums, all breeds competing, the Iowa 
Hereford Cattle Co. took second. Best herd of 
three fat cows, any breed, sweepstakes to Swan 
& Bosler on Herefords. 

At the Illinois State Fair, 1886, live stock 
commission firms at the Union Stock Yards 
offered grand sweepstakes prizes for the best 
beef herd; first, $500; second, $300; third, 
$200. The Hereford herd of Fowler & Van 
Natta, of Fowler, Ind. (y, 333), won first prize 
of $500 over a ring of eleven herds, comprising 
three Hereford herds, three Black Polled herds 
and five Shorthorn herds. This same herd took 
the sweepstakes at Chicago in 1885. It would 
be difficult for the Black Polls or Shorthorns 
to ))resent a stronger show than this of 1886. 

To describe the fever heat with which both 
exhibitors and audience awaited the result of 
this award would be a ditticult undertaking. 
There were Fowler & Van Natta with their 
Herefords, Adams Earl with his Herefords 
(11334),. Thos. Clark, Herefords; Billy Potts 
with his Shorthorns; Harvey Sodowsky with 
Shorthorns; Walker & Son, Shorthorns; Olin 
& Son, Shorthorns; Anderson & Findlay with 
Polled Angus; the Brookside Farm Co. with 
their Galloways, and J. S. Goodwin of Kan- 
sas, Polled Angus. 

There is hardly a doubt but what each owner 
was convinced in his own mind that he had the 
best herd. The onlookers took pride in this 
show. It was a hardly fought battle, but the 
winners deserved the honors. When the blue 
ribbon was tied on the Herefords, the excite- 
ment broke out in cheers and throwing up of 
hats by the appreciative crowd. The second 
prize of $300 went to Harvey Sodowsky's herd 
of Shorthorns, and- the third prize of $200 to 
Walker & Son's herd of Shorthorns. 

In the ring for young beef herds, any breed, 
the Herefords were again victorious in this 
show. There were two Hereford herds and one 
Black Polled herd comprising the competition. 
The result was the Hereford herds each received 
a vote, and the casting vote was placed on 
Adams Earl's herd of Hereford cattle, making 
him the winner of the young herd prize. 

The sweepstakes for best Hereford bull, any 
age, was awarded to Fowler & Van Natta's 



11 1 S T ( » I! V () K ir E R E F K D C A T T L K 



451 



bull Fowler 12809. The s^weepstakus for bust 
llcrcl'ord IViiiale, any age, was awarded to 
Thos. Clark's 'Flossie' 10915. 

Indiana State Fair, 1886. — The depart- 
ments were all well filled, and there was an 
exeeptionalh' good exhibit of cattle in both beef 
and dairy breeds. Herefords were represented 
by Adams Earl, Tom Clark, the Iowa Hereford 
('attle Co., and tlie Indiana Blooded Htoek (!o. 
Morrow & Kenick, of Kentucky, were on hand 
with their choice herd of Shorthorns, as was 
also Thos. Wilhoit, of Middletown, Ind., and 
.Jacob Henn, of Illinois. 1\. C. Auld, of Mich- 
igan, was on hand with his Aberdeen-Angus, 



After a long and tedious examination of 
the different herds, Mr. Adams Earl of Lafay- 
ette, Ind., was awarded first prize on his grand 
herd headed by Sir Bartle Frere. This is an 
honor of which Mr. Earl has a right to be 
proud, as it is seldom that there is as strong 
competition as there was in this ring. In the 
young herds the contest for first place was be- 
tween Tom (Uark, of Beecher, and Adams Earl; 
although there were very creditable Shorthorns 
in this ring, it was evident rnim the commence- 
ment that the first rilibon would go to the 
Whitefaces. Mr. Earl was again successful 
with as even a herd as we have ever had the 




STRETTON COURT. HEREFORDSHIRE. 
Home of the Yeomans family. 



and .hulge Goodwin, of Kansas, also showt'd a 
line herd of "Doddies." 

In the beef breeds the contest was for grand 
sweepstakes. This w-as a grand ring of cattle. 
The judging was good except on the young 
herds, where we were of the opinion Mr. (^lark's 
magnificent young herd was entitled to first 
honors. In the ring for aged herds the com- 
])etition was exceptionally strong, there being 
no less than four herds of Herefords, three 
herds of Shorthorns, and two herds of Polled 
Aberdeen-Angus. 



jdeasure of looking at. Morrow & h'enick tak- 
ing second; how the juilges could go by the 
herd of Tom Clark and give the Renick herd 
second is "one of those things no fellow can 
tell," as every individual Hereford was far 
superior to the Shorthorns. Sweepstakes for 
tlie best l>ull, any age or breed, was given to 
Washington (iy3.'55), owned liy the Iowa Here- 
foi'd Cattle Co. Sweepstakes on cows was cap- 
tured by the Shorthorns, it going to a roan 
cow owned by Th(unas Wilhoit. 

The cattle department at the Ka.vsas City 



452 



HISTORY OF HEHKFOIM) CATTLE 



Faik of 1886 was the feature of the show. The 
Shorthorns, Angus, and Galloways were in 
large force, and of good average merit. The 
Hereford force consisted of 36 head; F. W. 
Smith, Columbia, Mo., had 11 head; Iowa 
Hereford Cattle Co., 7 ; Lueien Scott, Leaven- 
worth, Kansas, 9 ; Walter Morgan & Son, Irv- 
ing, Kansas, 8; Mr. Gregory, Missouri, 1. 

The judges were : G. W. Henry, Kansas 
City, a breeder of Angus cattle ; Mr. Joe Dun- 
can, Missouri, a Shorthorn breeder, and Mr. 



THE NINTH ANNUAL AMEKICAN FAT STOCK 
SHOW, 1886. 

The following breeders showed Herefords: 
Adams Earl, Lafayette, Ind. — One yearling 
thoroughbred. Grades: Two three-year-olds, 
two two-year-olds, one yearling, two calves. 
Fowler & Van Natta, Fowler, Ind. — Grades: 
one four-year-old, two three-year-olds, one two- 
year-old, one yearling, two calves, one three- 
year-old Hereford Jersey. George Leigh, Au- 




onmcE EowaRO 7001 «M pour of h s G£ i J"S^^-^ 



Newt. Winn, also a Shorthorn breeder, of Mis- 
souri. 

The Hereford herd sweepstakes prize was 
given to the Iowa Hereford Cattle Co. Sweep- 
" stakes for best Hereford cow went to W. Mor- 
gan & Son. There was a good deal of interest 
throughout the entire e.xliibition, though some 
disappointment manifested among the exhib- 
itors not winning. The exhibit was a good one, 
and it was not always easy to draw the line. 
The Judging was according to the best judg- 
ment of the committees, and may be pro- 
couuced satisfactorv as a whole. 



rora. 111. — One two-year-old thoroughbred, one 
three-year-old, one two-year-old, one yearling, 
and one calf ; grades. Wyoming Hereford As- 
sociation, Cheyenne, Wyo. — One two-year-old 
thoroughbred, one two-year-old Angus Here- 
ford, one two-year-old Hereford Angus. J. R. 
Price & Son, Williamsville, 111. — (Jrades: One 
two-year-old, two yearlings, six calves. Iowa 
Hereford Cattle Co., Indianola, la. — Two two- 
year-old thoroughbreds, two yearling grades. 
C. M. Culbertson, Newman, 111. — Grades: One 
four-year-old, one two-year-old. G. W. Henry, 
Aslikuni, 111. — One thoroughl)red calf, two 



IltSTORY OF TIE RE FORD CATTLE 



453 



ffrado calvus. ('has. StMnulrrs. (ircfiiliclil. 111. 
— Five yearling grades. Wallace Lilihey & Co., 
Ottawa, 111. — Two tliree-year-old grades. Dut- 
ton & Wilkinson, Maple I'ark, 111. — Two grade 
calves. Swan & Rosier, Indianola, Iowa. — One 
two-year-old grade. Samuel Weaver, P^orsyth, 
111. — One thoroughbred calf. Number of ex- 
liil>itors, 13; number of thoroughbreds, 7; 
nuiidx-r of grades, Ki; total, 53. There wen; 
e.vhibited Tl Shortliorns, 31 pure-breds and 40 
grades, by 15 prominent exhibitors. The seven 
Angus exhibitors included Uudgell & Simpson, 
of Independence, llo., who at the same time 
also owned some Herefords, which we predicted 
would in time convert them from their error in 
selecting the Black breed, this prediction being 
amply fulfilled at this writing. There were 
nine pure and 10 grade Angus. Four Devon 
exhibitors showed 13 pure and one grade 
Devon. There was also one Sussex and four 
Ilolstcins. Shorthorns were Judged iirst. 

Herefords came next. There were no three- 
year-olds shown. In the two-year-old class the 
Wyoming Hereford Association took first on 
Rudoli)h, Jr. (1|33()); George Leigh, second 
nn Slasher; Iowa Hereford Cattle Co., third on 
Stars and Stripes. In the yearling class, Adams 
Earl took first, having no competition. In the 
calf class Samuel Weaver took first on Christ- 
mas (Jift; G. W. Henrv, second on Rossland's 
Royalty. 

Probaldy no exhibitor ever entered a ring 
more loyal to true I'attle interests or with more 
faith in the Hereford than Samuel Weaver 
(Tl 337), of Forsyth, 111. (H 338). Mr. Weaver 
had attended the 1885 Show and Hereford 
meeting and went home determined to try his 
skill on a pure-bred Hereford steer. A month 
later an extra good calf was dropped on Christ- 
mas day. Mr. Weaver made the steer Christ- 
mas Gift of it and brought him to Chicago 
in 1880, a winner, as noted above. Mr. 
Weaver is an unassuming man of sterling hon- 
esty and wealth. His wealth then, as now, 
consisted of upwards of 4,000 acres of the best 
land in central Illinois. He had been a cat- 
tle feeder, and prepared cattle to successfully 
t(.]) the market at Chicago for forty years;, a 
thoroughly practical and successful man in 
every way. He looked upon the ephemeral 
cattle fanciers who ha<l made their money in 
other lines as men who should be willing to 
karn from, rather than teach, the veterans. 
The jealousy of exhibitors disgusted Mr. 
Weaver and when the I'resident of the Here- 
ford Society, a prominent grain dealer and 
jiacker, came up to iiim and said authoritatively. 



"You must not expect to beat Mr. Lumber- 
man's calf," it was the "last straw." 

Mr. Weaver knew he had the best calf, the 
judges sustained his judgment in their awards, 
and, believing that the way of the show yard 
is hard, and to a man of his means unneces- 
sary, he quit showing in disgust, selling Christ- 
mas Gift to an Ohio feeder, who again brought 
him out a winner in 1887. 

We always regretted Mr. Weaver's action in 
abandoning the show ring, though in our own 
experience we could sympathize with him, and 
we have been glad to see that he kept up his 
interest in the Herefords and that his herd fell 
into such capable hands as young Mr. Soth- 
am's, and we have had great satisfaction in 
learning from Mr. Sotham that he owes all 
his present standing as a business man and 
breeder to Mr. Weaver, calling his farm and 
herd at Chillicothe, Mo., "The Weavergrace 
Breeding Establishment," because of the gra- 
cious helping hand extended to him unselfishly 
by Mr. Weaver, when help was sorelv needed. 
In helping Mr. T. F. B. Sotham, Mr. Weaver 
unwittingly built himself another monument 
and at the same time proved a tower of 
strength to the Hereford cause, in the day of 
their need. 

In closing this resume of the shows of a 
vital vear in Here- 




ford history, we 
present the differ- 
ent classes where 
all breeds competed 
together at Chicago 
Fat Stock Show, 
1886, in full. The 
tables will be found 
an interesting 
study. 

Grades and 
Crosses. — There 
was a good show 
of three-year-olds, 
but the contest was 
narrowed down to 
J. H. Potts & 
Son's Champion, Morrow & Eenick's Cyclone, 
and George Leigh's roan Hereford steer. The 
judges disagreed and the referee was called in, 
who gave the first to Morrow & Eenick, second 
to Potts & Son. and third to George Leigh. The 
judging was criticised and the correctness of 
the awards called in question. The following is 
the list of three-year-old grades and crosses 
exhibited, together with their age in days, 
weight, and average gain per day, since birth: 



<^a5^ 



W'lLI.l.AM A. 
Bonaparte 



454 



H I S T R Y F li E K ]<: F R D CAT T L E 



Age in 

Exhibitor aod Name ot Animal. days. 

J. H. Potts & Son. Champion, Short'n.l252 

B. Waddell. Jumbo, Shorthorn 1103 

Adams Earl, Hobson's Choice, Her't'd.l303 

Adams Earl. Quality. Hereford 1242 

F. C. Stevens, Francis. Holstein 1273 

P. C. Stevens, Hiram. Holstein 1267 

Fowler & Van Natta, Peter, Herefd..l237 
Fowler & Van Natta, Benton Will, 

Hereford 1409 

Fowler & Van Natta, Jerry, Herefd. .1352 

Morrow & Renick, Gaines, S. H 1290 

Morrow & Renick, Cyclone, S. H 1300 

Morrow & Renick, Golden Slipper, 

Geo. Leigh &' Co., Tom, Hereford 1265 

J. Richardson, Robertson, S. H 1278 

B, F. "Waters, Snowball, S. H 1237 

B. F. Waters. Bob Harrison, S. H.. 1329 

B. F. Waters. George. S. H 1155 

Wallace Libbey & Co., Jerry, Herefd. 1261 
Wallace Libbey & Co., Tom, Herefd.. 1263 

C. C. Blish & Son, Bob. S. H 1288 



In the two-year-old class the show was ex- 
cellent, the Wyoming Hereford Association 



Wt. Av. 


gain 


per 


day. 


2055 


1.64 


1715 


1.55 


1970 


1 SI 


1860 


1..50 


2140 


1.69 


2115 


1.67 


1620 


1.31 


2145 


1'.52 


2240 


1.68 


1900 


1.4V 


1933 


1.49 


1795 


1.52 


2190 


1.73 


2015 


T.M 


1900 


1.53 


2020 


1.52 


1745 


1.51 


1920 


L.ia 


1775 


1.40 


2065 


1.60 




taking first, J. H. Potts & Son second, and B. 
F. Waters third. The first prize steer, Nigger 
(1[339), was a cross-bred Polled Angus and 
Hereford, and well entitled to the place. The 
following animals were entered in the two- 
year-old class for grades and crosses, their 
age in days, weight and gain jjer day : 

Age in 
Exhibitor and Name of Animal. days. 
J. H. Potts & Son, Conqueror, S. H.. 951 
J. H. Potts & Son, Snowflake, S. H.. 96S 

B. Waddel, Whiteface. S. H 761 

Adams Earl, Sir Bartle 2d. Herefd 955 

Adams Earl, Sir Bartle 4th. Herefd.. 931 

B. C. Rumsey. Buffalo Tom, S. H....1081 

C. M. Culbertson, Frost, Hereford 1066 



Wt. Av. 


gain 


per 


day. 


1790 


1.S.S 


1780 


1.84 


1485 


1,95 


1925 


2.02 


1760 


1.90 


1950 


1.6X 


1790 


1.68 



Age in Wt. Av. gain 

Exhibitor and Name of Animal. days. per day. 

E. T. Doney, Fashion. Devon 987 1885 2.03 

Fowler & Van Natta, Matthew, Herefd 973 1735 1.78 

Morrow & Renick, Fred Young, S. H..1002 1855 1.85 

Morrow & Renick. Barnaby, S. H 992 1605 1.63 

Morrow & Renick. Overton, S. H....10S6 1555 1.43 

George Leigh & Co., Norris, Herefd.. 932 1550 1.66 

B. F. Waters, Nip, S. H 948 1740 1.84 

B. F. Waters, Joe McCarthy, S. H.... 943 2045 2.17 

B. F. Waters, John Kincaid, S. H 1094 2025 1.85 

B. F. Waters. Washington. S. H 1043 2010 1.90 

Swan & Bosler L. & C. Co.. Plush. 

Hereford 7.S6 1540 1.96 

Hugh W. Elliott, Clarence, P. Angus. 971 1730 1.78 
Wyoming Hereford Association, Nig- 
ger, Hereford 914 1540 1.6S 

Wyoming Hereford Association, Ran- 
ger, Hereford 963 1820 1.89 

In the yearling class J. H. Potts & Son took 
first on Diamond, grade Shorthorn ; T. W. 
Harvey second on Robert Peel, Polled Angus; 
J. R. Peak & Son third on Frisk, grade Short- 
horn. The following animals entered the year- 
ling ring : 

Age in Wt. Av. gain 

Exhibitor and Name of Animal. days. per day. 

M. H. Cochrane. Dominionist, Angus. . 559 1200 2.15 

J. H. Potts & Son, Diamond. S. H... 661 1390 2.10 

Adams Earl, Sir Bartle 6th. Herefd.. 694 1565 2.26 

F. A. Townley, Pedro, S. H 367 1085 2.96 

T. W. Harvey, Robert Peel, Angus. . 696 1465 2.11 

T. W. Harvey, Duncan Gray, Angus.. 614 1405 2.29 

Ned Price, Express, Hereford 713 1470 2.06 

Ned Price. Excelsior, Hereford 6S1 1420 2.09 

Fowler & Van Natta. Jacko, Hereford 606 1135 1.S7 
Morrow & Renick, 14th Amendment. 

Short Horn 567 1180 2.08 

Geo. Leigh & Co., Adams. Herefd.. 5.58 1355 2.42 

J. R. Peak & Son. Ed.. S. H 726 1450 2.00 

J. R. Peak & Son, Crown Prince, S. H. 703 1420 2.02 

J. R. Peak & Son, Lord Thomas, S. H. 623 1425 2.28 

J. R. Peak & Son, Wm.Westley, S. H. 722 1495 2.07 

J. R. Peak & Son, Frisk, S H 537 1305 2.43 

Iowa Hereford Cattle Co., Model, Hfd. 708 " 1330 1.8S 

Iowa Hereford Cattle Co.. Shield, Hfd. 683 1335 1.96 

Chas. Sanders, Jack, Hereford 601 1250 2.08 

Chas, Sanders, Buster, Hereford 626 1220 1.95 

Chas. Sanders. Curly, Hereford 582 1120 1.92 

Chas. Sanders, Clipsy, Hereford 572 1175 2.05 

Chas. Sanders. Fred, Hereford 569 1020 1.79 

Swan & Bosler Co., Scotch Gray. An. 599 1195 1.99 

In the calf class. Fowler & Van Xatta took 
fii'st on Sam Jones, grade Hereford; Samuel 
\\'eaver, third on Dandy, grade Angus; J. H. 
Potts & Son, second on Captain, grade Short- 
born. The calf class consisted of the follow- 
ing animals : 

Age in Wt. Av. gain 

Exhibitor and Name of Animal. days. per day. 

Overton Lea, George, Sussex 345 745 2.16 

J. H. Potts & Son. Captain, S. H.... 345 825 2.40 

Adams Earl, Eclipse, Hereford 315 780 2.47 

Adams Earl, Exeter, Hereford 264 765 2.96 

Ned Price, Bashful, Hereford 350 794 2.27 

Ned Price, Bonanza, Hereford 326 845 2.59 

Ned Price. Business. Hereford 319 925 2.90 

Ned Price, Broncho, Hereford 296 810 2.73 

Ned Price, Bruno, Hereford 276 760 2.75 

Fowler St Van Natta, Sam Jones, Hd. 338 980 2.90 

Fowler & Van Natta. Sam Small, Hd. 338 960 2.84 

Morrow & Renick. Bright Light. S. H. 346 690 1.99 

George Leigh & Co., Ancutt, Herefd. 2.56 715 2.79 

Samuel Weaver, Bald Hornet, Herefd 307 840 2.74 

Samuel Weaver, Dandy, Angus 355 945 2.66 

G. W. Henry. Rossland's Improve- 
ment, Hereford 320 910 2.84 

G. W. Henry, Bourbon Prince, Herefd. 340 775 2.28 

Wilkinson & Dutton, Alphonso. Hfd. 280 800 2.86 
Wilkinson & Dutton, Fanny Field, 

Hereford 302 825 2.73 

The SWEEPSTAKES fop best grade or cms.- 
Iired was given to the Wyoming Hereford As- 



HIST II Y OF ir E E K 



I) CATTL 



455 



soc'iatioii !< Angus- llercfonl two-year-old, Xig- 
gor, whicli was also awarded sweepstakes for 
best two-year-old, any breed. Fowler & Van 
Natta took the calf sweepstakes (all breeds) 
on tlie grade Hereford calf Sam Jones. The 
Gkani) Sweei'ST.vkks for best beast in 
tiie show was awarded the tiioroughl)red Here- 
ford steer Rudolph Jr., exhibited by the Wyo- 
ming Hereford Association. 

DuKssKi) Carcasses. For best three-year- 
old, the sweepstakes was awarded to Wallace 
Libbey & Co., grade Hereford steer Jerry, sired 
l)y .Monitor 2.S4S, by Illinois 920. I)y Success 2; 
his dam was a grade Shorthorn cow. 

For best two-year-old, Swan (S: Bosler's grade 
Hereford steer Plush (^340) (prepared and 
exhibited under the management of John Gos- 
ling, the veteran and expert) was awarded 
sweepstakes. This steer was sired by Cheyenne 
191'^, by Kidgeville Boy 147(), and his dam 
was a grade Devon cow. The dam of Cheyenne 
was Peerless 11.^7, by Success 2. Plush also 
won the grand sweepstakes for best dressed car- 
cass in the show. 

This finished the cattle awards. A cross- 
bred Hereford won the sweepstakes as best two- 
year-old in the show, and a thoroughbred Here- 
ford won the grand sweepstakes as best beast 
in the show. On the Idock, a grade Hereford 
won sweepstakes in both the three-year-old and 
two-year-old classes, and a two-year-old grade 
Hereford won the grand sweepstakes as best 
carcass in the show. The Hereford breeders 
had a right to l)e well satisfied with results of 
the season and with the show. 

It had been a common practice for years for 
Shorthorn men and others to charge that the 
foreqnarters of Herefords are heavier than the 
hin(h|uarters as compared with Shorthorns. 
We rejirint from the "Breeders' Journal" the 
following figures as Tuade up by the American 
Fat Stock Show, ISSfi. Dressed carcasses, 3 
years and under 4 : 

HEREFORDS. 



Adams Earl Dick 77S 720 5S .08 

Adams Earl Excelsior 7.i3 664 89 .13 

Liiiicn Scott Jessie* 445 484 

Swan & Bosler lim 61S 5S1 37 .06 

Fowler & Van Natta... Resulus 808 7.-)2 iJ6 .07 

Ind. Blooded Stock Co. .Suspense 789 730 59 .08 

Total 4,191 3.931 260 .06% 

*This animal's hindquarters weighed 39 

pounds more than the forequarters. Per cent 
gain, .08. 



SHOKTHORN'R. 



J. H. Polls & Son Surprise 661 525 36 .07 

J.D.Gillette Lookout 699 598 101 .16 

Total 1,260 1,123 137 .12 

POLLED ANGUS. 

J.J.Hill Hutcheon 857 757 100 .13 

J.J.Hill Turriff 767 637 1.30 .20 

J.J.Hill Kinloss 740 667 73 .10 

Total 2,364 2.061 303 .I4V2 

In dressed carcasses, 2 years and under .3, a 
similar result was to be seen: 

HEREFORDS. 

Seabury & Sample Joe 582 546 36 .06 

Adams Earl ..Elkingtou 550 505 45 .08 

G. Leigh & Co Bendigo 495 437 58 .13 

Fowler & Van Natta... Dandy Boy 635 580 55 .09 

Lucieu Scott Faith 517 453 64 .14 

B. Hershey Champion 540 483 57 .12 

Total 3,319 3,004 315 .10 

SHORTHORNS. 

C. S. Barclay Snov/ball 587 493 94 IS 

J. R. Peak & Co Roan Boy 577 536 41 .OS 

J. D. Gillette Driver 601 5.53 4S 08 

W. S. White Roan Twin 684 656 2S .04 

Forbes Bros Rub'nBro'dus 621 532 89 16% 

Forbes Bros Varna 580 512 68 .13 

J.D.Gillette Red Plum 523 462 61 .13 

Total 4,173 3,744 429 .11% 

POLLED ANGUS. 

J- J- Hill Benholm 707 637 70 .11 

It was pulilishing such disconcerting facts as 
these that made the opposition dislike T. L. 
Jliller. It is not pleasant to fight battles ; onlv 
the sincere belief that we were doing the agri- 
cultural interests of America and of the world 
a real service kept us firm in our resolve to 
have the Hereford merits fully known. We 
know that the Hereford needs only to be known 
to be appreciated, and we have fought his bat- 
tles, knowing that our efforts would sooner or 
later be appreciated. The Hereford will never 
lack for a competent advocate, and we are glad 
to let our mantle fall upon one so able and 
well equipped as young Mr. Sotham. He has 
been doing splendid service and we are glad to 
see him successful and well supported. We 
note with great satisfaction that he is a suc- 
cess as a Ijreeder of Herefords as well as he is 
asan advocat(\ his great hull Corrector (P41) 
having already proven worthy to stand in the 
company of Success, Horace^ Grove 3d, Lord 
Wilton and other great epoch-marking bulls. 
The Hereford breeders would make a serious 
mistake were they not to rally in every possible 
way to his support. 



HISTORY OF H E K E F E D CATTLE 



Trimmings 


--SSSS-SS SS--ls3-="S 


wocoooo^oso 


Hide 


IgggSSSSg SgS|S|SSSi3S E:2g£S!gSE2g83 


Lungs 1 g?SS5SSSSS SSSSSSSS523 SSSSSJ!SSSg 


Heart | «..o^..c^.-.-,<,^ »««.,^.,^^^=o^ ^»u,^^^.„»»^ 


Tallow 




Guts 1 g?S3gS2S35S S-=g3SS533i5?3S gSSSg3!SS3S3 


Liver j -ss33;:sss «s2sss;:ss2s =--a«>as°>-ssa 


Paimch 


SSIIISsii ^aSaSssssss sSSi^a^SS" 


Feet 


c3a?1S?3j5SSS SS5S2S325SS3 


»n -.C C-- 1- m in -*, « L': 00 




.H .-, rt rH W .-,,-,.-,,-, TH 1 


Head 


gSigSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSS 3SSSS?3S¥5S8 




Tongue 




Blood 


ss!33se;s2S assssssssss sssssasssss 


Left hlndquar- 
ter 


iSiiigiii iliiigiigil glSlsiliSi 


Right hindquar- 
ter 


C-S-*O?JC0XL~31 c5£cc£-»'C--)-«l^OcD S2Sh?jSSS2c^O 


Left torequar- 
ter 


410 
399 
8li3 
844 
387 
897 
804 
299 
320 

263 
301 
264 
281 
286 
296 
270 
269 
282 
222 
175 

196 

215 
239 
281 
181 
220 
189 
220 
203 
202 


Right forequar- 
ter 


iiiiiliia iiilSigg^lS SgiSslilii 


Pounds net to 
gross weight. 


lrt00:0-*-*«XO<f5 00— lCCM-HtDO:Xl©03Cv3 


O-j3-.,=0ZU5 3smt--.DM 


C- -D -Xi to *sD ^ «D !o to C- CO -!d £ lO "-C io CD «D <3p -jD 


g!S-ggS££3.3S 


Dressed weight. 


1526 
1490 
1406 

1437 
1,73 
1181 
1145 
1230 

977 
1143 

930 
1113 
1028 
1149 
1039 

997 
1114 

.841 

673 

768 
833 
942 
902 
718 
8.52 
758 
877 
761 
813 


Average gain 
per day 


1.65 
1,62 
1,,5B 
1,49 
1.04 
1.66 
1..50 
1 40 
1.52 

1 50 

1 78 
1.66 
1.78 
1,73 
1.95 
1.B8 
1.96 
1.88 
1.78 
1.18 

2,15 
2,88 
2.13 
2.19 
1.97 
1.95 
1 99 
2,29 
1 93 
2.02 


Weight at 
slaughter 


2165 
2185 
2050 
1900 
2100 
2180 
1795 
17B0 
1905 

1390 
1B55 
1460 
1B.55 
1.130 
1725 
1.175 
1.115 
1725 
1350 
1080 

1055 
1245 
1410 
1350 
10.S0 
1295 
1160 
1355 
1215 
1290 


Age in days,... 


1372 
1361 
1348 
1300 
2078 
13:)2 
12-,2 
1263 
1261 

926 
971 
932 
973 

S,s:i 
981 
914 

951 
767 
989 

559 
5.58 
687 
641 
551 
683 
599 
614 
649 
639 




Angus 

Angus 

Shorthorn 

Angus 

Grade Hereford 

Grade Hereford 

Grade Hereford 

Grade Hereford 

Ang.u^-Shol■thorn 

Gr.iili- Hereford 

Gra.lr Hereford 

Hern, ,1,1 

Heivtur,l 

Angus-Hereford 

Hereionl-Devon 

Gra.l,' Shorthorn 

Giadc Shorthorn 

Devon 

Angus-Shorthorn- 
West Highlander ... 

Shorthorn 

Angus 

Angus 

Shorthorn 

Angus 

Grade Angus 

Grade Angus 

Sussex 

Holsteln-FiiesKin.... 


fc. _; 

r-, — 

y.< 


Wildy 

Paris Favorite ... . 
Cambridge (iennva, 

Nerlssa 

Jerry 

Quality 

Tom 

Jerry 2nd 

Clarence 

Matthew 

Richmond 

Nigger 

Plush 

Conqueror 

Allen 

Newton 


Logan 

Alex 

Grover 

Edison 

Scotch Grey 

Duncau Gray 

Brown 




Thuek-Veah-Oeds— 

J. .I.Hill 

T. W. Harvey 

J. K. Peak & Son 

T. \V. Harvey 

Fowler & Van Natta.. 

Adams Earl 

W. Libhv&Co 

W.Libby&Co 

Two-Year-Old.s— 

M. H. Cochrane 

H.W.Elliott 

George Leigh 

Fowler & Van Natta.. 
Wyo. Hereford Ass'n. 
la. Hereford Cattle Co. 
Wyo. Hereford Ass'n. 

Swan & Bossier 

J. H. Potts & Son 

C.S.Barclay 

J. W.Morse & Son... 

Yearlings— 


William Moffat 

Gudgell & Simpson. . 

M. H. Cochrane 

R. Huston &Son 

T. W. Harvey 

John Gosling 

T. W. Harvey 

Overtoil Lea 

T.B.Wales 



n 1 S T () H Y F 11 E R E F K i) I' A T T L E 



457 



TllJi HXOLlSIl SHOWS OF 1886. 

The "Hereford Times," in speaking of the 
.S.MiTUFiELD Snow oj? 1886, said: Another 
great distinction has this week fallen to the 
llerel'ord cattle, a representative of the white- 
faces having carried off the championship of the 
Smithfield Cl'uh Cattle Show on llonday. The 
successful animal is the grand ox belonging to 
F. IMatt, of Barnbv llanor, Newark, and it 
made a clean sweep of all the honors within its 
reach. The show of Herefords was the best 
Seen at Smithfield since 1881. The entries num- 
ber five more than last year, and among them 
were some marvelous specimens, especially in 
the classes for young steers and heifers. In 
all the youngsters numbered a baker's dozen, 
the winner turning up in a charming creature 
with a beautiful head and splendid i)ody, shown 
by L. Loyd, West Wiekham, Beckenham. The 
animal is just a year and ten months old. and 
weighs just over 1"^ cwt. (l.SoO lbs.) ; it had 
Very little difficulty, however, in beating a two 
montlis younger beast, the propertv of H. F. 
Russell "(TI342, T|342A), Westonbury, Pern- 
bridge, who took third prize at Birmingham. 
The first prize taker last week, shown by A. P. 
Turner, Pembridge, and by far the heaviest 
animal in the class, was now but highly coni- 
niended. L. Loyd also received third prize. 
The Earl of Coventry was commended in this 
class. The steers above two and not exceeding 
three years were small in number, the prizes 
going to J. F. Hall, Eipple, Tewkesbury, the 
third prize taker in Birmingham; J. Andrews, 
Ivingtoniuiry, Leominster; and T. Duckhaui. 
Bayshani Court, Ross. The Queen was highly 
connnended in this class at Birmingham, but 
this time her representative was without recog- 
nition. The steers above three and not exceed- 
ing four years were a very fine lot. The prin- 
ei]>al feature was the first prize taker, the 
three-and-a-half-vear-old ox, weighing 21 cwt. 
(2,:i.5U lbs.), shown by Mr. Piatt. This was, 
as we have already indicated, a magnificent ani- 
mal, of perfect shape and superlative excellence 
in respect to quality. Not a fault could be 
f'miud with it, and it frequently elicited admira- 
tion as it was paraded before the judges. It 
took first prize in its class, as at Birmingham, 
but now it went further, and not only received 
the breed cup for the best Hereford, beating ^Ir. 
Turner's famous Kathleen, its Birmingham 
conqueror, but also won the silver cup, value 
fiO j)ounds sterling, offered for the best steer, 
or ox. and, further, the champion plate of 100 
guineas for being the best beast in the slinw. 
This was totally different from Birniinghaiu. 



Mr. Platfs representative only had a "look 
in" at Birmingham, but now the Bingley Hall 
champion was just as much out of the run- 
ning. The win, however, was a popular one, 
loud cheers greeting the decision of the judges. 
The champion animal is thus described in the 
catalogue (11343): "No. 57. Frederick Piatt 
(11 344), of Barnby Manor, Newark, Notts, 3 
years 6 months 3 days, bred by the late T. 
Oliver, Hide Field, Weobly, Hereford, sire San 
Juan (616), dam Beauty:" Sire of dam, Mansel 
(3240)." The full details of its winnings on 
Monday are as follows: 1st prize in its class, 
25 pounds sterling ($125) ; silver cup as best 
of its breed, 30 pounds sterling ($150) ; silver 
cup as best steer or ox in the classes, 50 pounds 
sterling ($250) ; champion plate, as best beast 
in the show, 105 pounds sterling ($525) ; and a 
gold medal. Total, 220 pounds sterling 




CLEM GRAVES, 
Bunker HUl, Ind. 

($1,100). In the older steers the class prizes 
fell to the same animals as at Birmingham, 
the second going to R. Keene (TI345), Pen- 
craig, Caerleon, Mon. ; and the third to W. 
Groves, Baucott, Wellington, Salop, with two 



458 



HISTOKY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



fine animals. The heifers under four years old 
made a good display, Kathleen (^ 346) (weigh- 
ing 2,000 lbs.), a much older beast than Mr. 
Piatt's, but over 3 cwt. lighter, again winning 
the 1st prize. Many people thought Kathleeii 
would follow up her victory, as at Birmingham, 
but it was not to be. She is certainly much 
superior to Vanity VII, a slightly older heifer, 
l)elonging to H. W. Taylor, Ledbury, which 
took second prize. The Earl of Coventry, who 
was highly commended at Birmingham with 
Tunic, was now jilaced third; but the second 
prize taker at Birmingham, shown by R. Shir- 
ley, Baucott, Salop, was not on this occasion 



The Shows of 1887. 

Good exhibits were again made of the Here- 
fords at the Minnesota State Fair. The 
following were the exhibitors: Fowler & Van 
Natta, of Indiana; the Cosgrove L. S. Co. 
(^347), and W. G. Sawyer, of Minnesota. 

The creditable exhibit at the Nebraska 
State Fair was contributed from the herds of 
Shockey & Gibb and J. S. Hawes, of Kansas, 
C. M. Sears, and E. E. Day, of N^elDraska. 

Messrs. Fowler & Bassett, G. W. Price, Geo. 
AV. Henry (U 348). (][ 351), Thomas Clark, Tom 
C. Pouting, of Illinois, and Fowler & Van 




SUCCESS (5031) 2. 
Morris, Herefordshire. Favorite stock bull of T. L. Mille 



noticed. A very good class of cows resulted in 
J. H. Arkwright, Hampton Court, Leominster, 
taking first prize, and H. W. Taylor second; 
the positions being the same as in Birmingham. 
J. Watson, M. P., Berwick Hall, Shrewsbury, 
was third — a substantial advance on the Bing- 
ley Hall commendation. 

At the Bath and West of England Show 
held at Bristol, 188(5, champion prizes were as 
follows: The best bull in the show, H. W. 
Taylor, for Hereford bull Maidstone. For the 
best cow in the show in calf. Hereford. A. E. 
Hughes; reserve, H. W. Taylor, Hereford. 



Natta, of Indiana, furnished the splendid ex- 
hibit at the Illinois State i^viR. The event 
of this show was the contest for the grand 
sweepstakes prize for herd of beef cattle, any 
breed, which was won again and for the third 
year in succession by Fowler & Van Natta for 
"the Herefords. Mr. Thos. Clark had in his 
Hereford cow Peerless 2d the champion female; 
while Messrs. Fowler & Van Natta's great bull 
Fowler scored again for the Herefords as cham- 
pion bull of any age or breed. 

At the Kansas State Fair the victorious 
Hereford herd of Shockey & Gibb headed by 



II I S T () H ^' V II 1-: R I-: I'^ () li D C A T T L I-: 



459 



Hciui I'cal war: ivint'oired liy ill'. J. S. IIa\vc.<' 
licnl headed by Fortune (1134!!). Mr. Jackson 
and Mr. Miedlin ako had winninji lieret'ords. 
Shoe-key & Gibb's yount; lierd jj;aiiiing the 
sweepstakes over all breeds. 

The Iowa Hereford Cattle Co., under the 
management of Henry Yeomans (T|;5r)0), 
Shockey & Gibb, of Kansas, Fowler & Van 
Xatta of Indiana, Moffatt & Sons and Wni. A. 
Tade (^3.")2) of Iowa, put up an excellent ex- 
hibit at the Iowa State Fair. 

'I'liK Tkxtii Axxtal A.mekican Fat Stock 
Snow, 1887. 

In the three-year-old ring, grades and crosses, 
'i'i entries, third prize was awarded to Mr. Ned 
I'riee (Hereford). In the same class for 
yearlings there were thirty-one entries, first 
sweepstake premium awarded to Fowler & Van 
Xatta, grade Hereford. In the calf ring of 
twelve entries Mr. Price taking first, second to 
Fowler & Van Xatta, and ilr. Funkhouser the 
third premium (all Herefords). In the 
dressed carcasses for the greatest jiercentage of 
]irofitai)k' meat, premium was awarded to Here- 
fords. 

And so we close an incomplete but repre- 
sentative resume of Hereford winnings at the 
period when we closed out our Herefords. retir- 
ing to the more favorable climate of Florida. 

We had made a good fight, the merit of tlie 
Hereford was by this time acknowledged in 
every part of our country — not only to e(|ual 
tiie Shorthorn but to surpass it. Tbe Here- 
fords had been defrauded of their birthright, 
but we bad forced a restoration. About 
this time the fight had been well nigh 
whipped out of the opposition, and finding they 
could no longer control the agricultural socie- 
ties, the opposition began to use its influence 
subtilely to do away with the contests between 
breeds. Xo Hereford man ever advocated a 
cessation of the contests between breeds and so 
long as their opponents could fully contrnl the 
Judging just so long they were anxious to con- 
tinue these contests. It was not until the Here- 
ford liegan to get a measure of Justice that the 
Shorthorn men began to carp of the fruitless- 
iiess of such contests. Journals that were 
formerly proud to proclaim themselves the 
otlieial exponents of Shortiiorn lore, were forced 
by the onward march of the Hereford to take 
on tile semblance of neutrality, but it cannot be 
gainsaid that they have used their powerful 
influence to prevent these competitions between 
breeds that were being more and more con- 
chisivelv settled in favor of the Herefords. 



Some weak-kneed Hereford men, unhappily 
for the Hereford in-eed, will get seated in the 
powerful and controlling positions of the 
American Hereford Society. They are willing 
to take every advantage of the work of more 
intelligent and aggressive Hereford advocates, 
and at the same time covertly lielittle the work 
of those advocates to the opposition, while suing 
to meet personal ends, for the opposition's 
influence and favor. Such treachery is sure to 
react on politic self-seekers in the future, Just 
as similar double dealing has reacted on their 
ilk in the past. 

What is the objection to the competition be- 
tween l)reeds ? We reiterate that no true Here- 
ford man desired or desires to abolish these 
contests, and we repeat that no Shorthorn man 
demanded their cessation so long as the Short- 
horn interest controlled the awarding of the 
premiums. "A fair field and no favors" is all 
the Hereford ever asked, and when at last it be- 
gins to come within his reach the Shorthorn 
interest interposes its power and stops breed 
contests. To give the demands for a cessation 
of breed contests a semblance of impartiality, 
they must chiefly come from seemingly neutral 
sources and so the subtle methods of the past 
are not abandoned, but having proclaimed itself 
neutral, the Shorthorn press that wore its collar 
openly in days past, l)ut wearing it secretly in 
the heart still, comes forth with the trumped up 
chiim: "Breed contests engender ill feeling, 
they si'ttle notliing, nor j)rove anything, one 




PIIAIKIE FLOWKU 1109. 
Bred by T. L. Miller, 

breed wins at one show and at the ne.xt the 
award is reversed. One year one breed wins 
most and the next year favors another breed. 
And so it proves nothing for either to win. Let 
us have peace and let each breed develop 
within itself." 

Pretty argument tliis. but we know its crafti- 
ness and deceit. What iloes it jn-ove within the 



460 



HISTORY or HEREFORD C A T T L E 



Hereford breed when one year, or at one show, 
Mr. Nave's (^353) herd beats Mr. Sotham's 
and at the next the awards are reversed and at 
still the next Mr. Clem Graves (T[ 354) comes in 
first best over them both, while at the fourth 
show honors are eqvTally divided ? 

What was proven by our herd beating the 
herd of Mr. Culbertson one week and the tables 
being turned the next week and our mutual 
competitor, Mr. Earl, beating both of us a week 
later, all within the Hereford camp and under 
honest judges? 

This is proved: All parties to the contest 







hJh>'i^lm'J^^^X^t\ 



RED CAP 4th, 3507. 
A favorite cow ot T. L. Miller. 



had good cattle ; the judgments of their merits 
varied with different judges. Each must have 
been good or it could not have been at any tinu' 
recognized in the contest, and thus so far as 
the comparative merits of these Hereford herds 
are concerned the awards have proven nothing 
else. The whole contest has resulted in throw- 
ing the struggle to that only safe tribunal — the 
public, an infallible tribunal that always sooner 
or later rewards true merit and genius. 

So it has been, is, and ever will be with con- 
tests between breeds. The Hereford may beat 
the Shorthorn at one show, and the Shorthorn 
may return the compliment at the next and the 
Angus may then come in and down them both 
and nothing will be proven conclusively by the 
awards themselves, but the open competition 
has afforded an interesting and instructive ex- 
hibit, enjoyed by the spectator and profitable 
to exhibitor and exhibition. The agriculturist, 
for whom all the exhibitions are supposed to 
be held, will have a proper and deserved op- 
portunity to compare and form his own con- 
clusions. 

Yea, vnrily, the abolition of breed contests is 
born of deceit and selfishness. The Hereford 



and Angus have ever been eager for it. Trace 
the origin of this abolition crusade to its lair 
and it will be found within the Shorthorn camp 
or its followers. They would pose the Short- 
horn as the old "cosmopolitan" breed, the "old 
stand-by," and would have all others considerj^d 
interlopers, that must not be considered as 
competitors. 

The spirit that dictated Y'ouatt's history and 
controlled the agricultural societies and press, 
dies hard — but die it must. But self-asserted 
neutrals, who declare their impartiality, while 
working night and day to rehabilitate one breed, 
and at the same time by every possible way en- 
deavor to make themselves indispensable to 
that one breed and masters of its lore, to the 
neglect of other breeds, must not feel hurt or 
slighted if the advocates of other brA'ds ques- 
tion their loyalty to them. 

We have grown old in the advocacy of Here- 
fords. We do not now, and have not for many 
years owned a "Whiteface," but we love their 
merits still and know their peerless value in the 
u|)building of the world's agriculture. Let the 
Hereford breeders and all intelligent cattle- 
men take an octogenarian's words in all sober- 
ness, for thev are written in all seriousness and 
truth. 

T. L. MILLER'S HEREFORD VriNNIXGS. 

It is fitting to here record the following list 
of premiums that were awarded to the T. L. 
ilillcr Hereford herd at the Hlinois State 
Fairs from 18T5 to 18ifl on breeding stock. In 
the year 187() they took premiums at this show 
in their classes only ; but going from Illinois 
State Fair to the Xorthern Ohio Fair, they 
took the two herd premiums over one of the 
strongest Shorthorn shows, David Selsor, of 
Ohio, being one of the principal exhibitors, and 
from there to the Centennial at Philadelphia, 
where they won the first honors in their class. 

II.LIXOIS STATE FAIR. 

isrs. 

Bull 4 years old or over — 1st premium, Sir 
Charles 543. 

Bull 2 years old — 1st premium. Prince 8()1. 
by Sir Charles 543, out of Beauty 2d ; second 
premium. Success 2. 

Bull 1 year old — 1st premium Royal Briton 
S82, half brother to Success; second premium 
Sir Charles 2d 913. 

Bull calf over 6 and under 12 months — sec- 
ond premium. Parsons 857. 

Bull calf under G months — first premium, 
Advance 1. 



HISTORY OF IIKHEFOED CATTLE 



4G1 



Cow 4 year.* okl ami over — Fiist ]iiiiiiiuni. 
Dolly \'arilen 5. 

Cow 15 years old — first preiiiiuiii. Laura S.jo ; 
srcond promiuiii, Katie 1139. 

Heifer 2 years old — second preiniuiii, (Jrace 
1080. 

Heifer 1 year old — 1st preiiiium, Charlotte 
1102; seeoncl preiiiiiiiii, Victoria 10.5.'?. 

Heifer calf — 1st prenuiuii, Prairie Flower 
11.')!). 

1876. 

Bull 4 vears or over — 1st preminm, Sir 
Charles .543. 

Bull 3 years — 1st premium, Success 2. 

Bull 2 years — 1st premium Royal Briton 882, 
half brother to Success. 

Bull calf, over 6 months — 1st premium, Se- 
ward 906, by Success; 2d premium. Uncle 
Sam 934, half brother to Success. 

Bull calf under 6 months — 1st premium, 
Dore; 2d premium. Prince 2d 8(i2, by Success. 

Cow 4 years or over — 1st premium, Dolly 
A'arden 5, dam of Success; 2d premium, 
Beauty. 

Cow 3 years — 1st premium, Grace 1086; 2d 
premium, Katie 1139. 

Heifer 2 years — 1st prciiiiuni, Victoria 10.-):>; 
2d prei'nium, Charlotte 1102. 

Heifer 1 year — 1st premium, Prairie Flower 
11.59, Ijy Success; 2d premium, iLiry Hughes 
1149, by Success. 

Heifer calf, over 6 months — 1st premium, 
Peerless 1157, bv Success; 2d premium Eugenia 
1130, by Success. 

Heifer calf under 6 months — 1st premium 
ifaid of Honor 1145, by Success; 2d premium, 
Miss Humi)hries 1132, by Success. 

The reports of the Illinois State Board for 
1877 and 1876 do not show the names of the 
winning animals, but simply credit the awards 
to the owner of the cattle. So far as we re- 
member the animals, we have put them down. 
It is true of the awards of those two years 
that they were largely of the Success (11355) 
slock, and the winnings of the two years must 
have been at least three-fourths on Success and 
his get. 

1877. 

Bulls 4 years old or over — 1st premium, T. L. 
Miller, Success; 2d premium, T. L. Miller. 

Bull 1 year old, 3 entries — 1st premium, T. 
L. Miller. 

Bull calf under 6 months, 4 entries — 1st and 
2d premiums, T. L. ililler. 

Bidl calf under 6 months old — 1st and 2d 
premiums, T. L. Miller. 



Cow 4 vears old, 7 entries — 1st premium, T. 
L. iliUer.' 

Heifer 2 years, 4 entries — 1st and 2d pre- 
miums, T. L. Miller. 

Heifer 1 year, 4 entries — 1st and 2d pre- 
miums, T. L. Miller. 

Best heifer calf over 6 months, 4 entries — 
1st and 2d premiums, T. L. Miller. 

Best bull, any age, 8 entries — sweepstakes to 
Success. 

Best cow or heifer, any age, 13 entries — 
sweepstakes to Dolly Varden. 

Best bull and five cows or heifers, 1 year old 
and upwards, and owned by one individual or 
previously existing firm, 12 entries — 2d pre- 
mium, T. L. Miller, Success and five cows and 
heifers. 

Best 5 calves of any breed, male or female. 




JAMES C. V?ILLSON, 
Flint, Mich. 

under 1 year old, and owned by one individual 
or firm, 8 entries — 2d premium, T. L. ililler. 
Success calves. 

Best 5 cattle, male or female, of any age, 
without regard to ownership, the get of one 
bull, the sire to be shown with the lierd and 



462 



H I S T K Y OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



considered in making the award; 3 entries — 
1st premium, T. L. Miller, Success and 5 cows 
and heifers. 

Best cow or heifer of any age or breed, 45 
entries — 2d premium, Dolly Varden. 

isrs. 

Bull 4 years old, 2 entries — 1st premium, 
T. L. Miller, Success. 

Bull 2 years— 1st premium, T. L. Jliller, a 
son of Success. 

Bull 1 year, 6 entries — 2d premium, T. L. 
Miller. 




NANNETTE (V. 11, p. 246) 4511. 
Bred by T. Middleton. 

Bull calf over 6 months, 4 entries — 1st and 
2d premiums, T. L. Miller. 

Bull calf under 6 months — 1st premium, T. 
L. Miller. 

Cow 4 years old — 1st and 2d premiums, T. L. 
Miller. 

Cow 3 years — 1st and 2d premiums, T. L. 
Miller. 

Heifer 2 years, 3 entries — 1st and 2d pre- 
miums, T. L. Miller. 

Heifer 1 year — 2d premium, T. L. Miller. 

Heifer calf, over 6 months, 3 entries — 1st 
and 2d premiums, T. L. Miller. 

Best hull, any age, 5 entries — T. L. "Miller. 
Success. 

Best cow or heifer of anv age, 6 entries — T. 
L. Miller. 

Best 5 cattle, male or female, of any age or 
breed without regard to ownership, the get of 
one bull, the sire to be shown with the herd and 
considered in making up the award; 6 entries 
^Ist premium, T. L. Miller, Success, and 5 
cows or heifers. 

1879. 

Bull 3 years old or over, 4 entries — 1st pre- 
mium, Success 2. 

Bull calf under 1 year old and over fi months, 
3 entries — 1st premium. Dictator 1989. 

Cow 4 years old or over, 2 entries — 1st pre- 
mium Prairie Flower 1159 (If 356), by Suc- 
cess; 2d prize, Victoria 1053. 



Heifer 2 years, 6 entries — 1st premium, 
Highland Queen 1141 (If 357) by Success. 

Heifer calf over 6 months, 4 entries — 1st 
premium. Miss Filley 1899, by Success. 

Best cow or heifer of any age, 8 entries — 
premium. Highland Queen 1141, by Success. 

Bull and 5 cows or heifers 1 year old or 
over, owned by one individual or previously ex- 
isting firm; 2 entries — premium, Seventy-si.x 
1093, Victoria 1053, Prairie Flower 1159. 
Highland Queen 1141, Charity 708, Maid of 
Orleans 1146. 

Five cattle, male or female, of any age or 
breed, without regard to ownership, the get of 
one bull, the sire to be shown with the herd 
and considered in making the awards ; 4 entries 
— 2d premium, Success 2. Prairie Flower 1159 ; 
Highland Queen 1141, Charity 708, Beatrice 
742. Maid of Orleans 1146. 

Five cattle of one breed (all breeds com- 
peting), male or female, over 1 year old, bred 
and owned by the exhibitor; 5 entries — 2d 
premium, Victoria 1053, Prairie Flower 1159, 
Highland Queen 1141, Charity 70S, Maid of 
Orleans 1146. 

WINNINGS OF THE T. L. MILLER HERD OF HERE- 
FORDS AT THE AMERIC.iN FAT STOCK 
SHOW, CHICAGO. 

1878. 

Hereford steer 4 years old or over — 1st pre- 
mium, T. L. Miller. 

Hereford steer 3 years old and under 4, 3 
entries — 1st premium. Miller. 

Cow 3 years old or over, 3 entries — 1st pre- 
mium, Jennie. 

Sweepstakes ring, open to all breeds, for best 
cow three years old or over in the show, Jennie. 

1879. 

Hereford steer 4 years old or over, 4 entries — 
1st premium 

Hereford steer, 3 years, 2 entries — 1st pre- 
mium — 

Hereford steer, 2 years — 1st premium- — 

Hereford steer, 1 year — 1st premium — ; 
2d premium. Will, sire Success 2, dam Mollie. 

Hereford cow 3 years old or over — 1st 
premium. 

GRADES OR CROSSES, OPEN TO ALL BEEEnS. 

Steer 4 years old or over, 16 entries — 1st 
premium. 

Hereford steer, 2 years, 3 entries — 1st pre- 
mium. Will, sire Success, dam Mollie; 2d pre- 
mium, Washington, sire Success, dam Miss 
Smith 1083. 



HISTORY F TI E R K FORD (" A T T L E 



4G3 



Iloroford cow 3 years — 1st premium. Maid of 
Orleans 114(i, sire Success 2, dam Laura. 

Grades or crosses, open to all breeds. — Htcer, 
J j'ear, 22 entries — 2d premium, Kansas. 

Sweepstakes — Steer 2 years, any breed. Con- 
queror. 

Sweepstakes— Yearling steer, any breed, Kan- 
sas. 

Dressed Carcass. — Steer any brcril ?> years, ."i 
entries — 1st premium. 

Prize for early maturity. o]i('n fn all lirccds. 
— Steer 2 and under ?> years. 11 ciiti-irs — pre- 
mium. Conqueror. 

1881. 
Hereford steer 3 )'ears — 1st premium, Will, 



1882. 

We Ijelieved tliat the condition in which 
breeding stock must be shown at the pub- 
lic exhibitions in this country was damaging to 
the stock exhibited and discouraging to the 
average farmer. \Vi' therefore endeavored to 
secure a class for grass-ted cattle. We have, 
however, failed to get such a class, managers 
of fairs alleging that such an exhibit would 
not interest visitors or be creditable to the 
management. We determined, however, that we 
would bring some of our stock from the pas- 
tures and exhibit at the Fat Stock Show of 
1882. We reproduce from the official state- 
ment or catalogue of the show, this exhibit. We 
headed the exhibit with our breeding stock, giv- 
ing the age in years and months instead of days. 



T. L. MILLER CO.MPANY'S EXHIBIT, CHICAGO FAT STOCK SHOW, ISSJ. 



Exhibit 
No. Sex. 

67 Bull 

6S BuU 

69 Bull 

... Cow 

91 Cow 

92 Cow 

93 Cow 
92 Cow 

78 Steer 

79 Steer 

80 Steer 

81 Steer 

82 Steer 
77 Steer 
77 Steer 
76 Steer 
76 Steer 

83 Steer 

84 Steer 
8.=) Steer 

86 Steer 

87 Steer 
89 Steer 

89 Steer 

90 Steer 
213 Steer 

216 Steer 

217 Steer 

218 Steer 

219 Steer 

220 Steer 
75 Cow 



Name. 

Daupliin 18th .. 
Winter de Cote 
Succes 



Weight. 
...23.30 

.2060 

.2030 



Victoria abt 1700 

Highland Queen abt 1600 

Charity abt 1600 

Beatrice abt 1500 

Nightingale abt 1600 

King William 1655 

Wallace 1720 

Highland Lad 16S0 

Beecher 1815 

Conqueror II 1705 

Bertie 1310 

Bachelor 1435 

St. Paul 1232 

Eighty -one 1155 

Pythias 1870 

Damon 1990 

Barnum 1980 

J umbo 1920 

Abbey 1710 

Buck 1450 

Bright 1600 

Prince 1560 

Napoleon 1475 

Murat 1395 

Ney 13S5 

Marion 1245 

Ohio Chief 1470 

Douglas 1437 

Princess Alice Maud 1800 



Age. 

! yrs. 8 

! yrs. 2 

I yrs. 9 

> yrs. 

) yrs. 7 

i yrs. 6 

j yrs. 

I yrs. 9 

! yrs. 7 



2 y 



yrs. 8 

yrs. 7 

yrs. 11 

yrs. 

yrs. 



I yrs. 9 

! yrs. S 

i yrs. 6 

i yrs. 6 

! yrs. 6 

i yrs. 9 

( yrs. 9 

! yrs. 10 

! yrs. 10 

I yrs. 10 

! yrs. 10 

i yrs. 7 

! yrs. 6 

! yrs. 6 

) yrs. 10 



Breed. 

Hereford. 

Hereford. 

Hereford. 

Hereford. 

Hereford. 

Hereford. 

Hereford. 

Hereford. 
Grade Hereford. 
Grade Hereford, 
Grade Hereford. 
Grade Hereford, 
Grade Hereford. 

Hereford. 
Grade Hereford. 
Grade Hereford 
Grade Hereford 
Grade Hereford 
Grade Hereford. J 
Grade Hereford, 
Grade Hereford. 
Grade Hereford. 
Grade Hereford, 
Grade Hereford. 
Grade Hereford 
Grade Hereford 
Grade Hereford. 
Grade Hereford. 
Grade Hereford. 
Grade Hereford. 
Grade Hereford. 

Hereford. 



From the pastures to the 
each cow having raised £ 
during the season. 



Fed for exhibit. 



Grazed on grass and without 
other food until Sept., when they 
were fed cornstalks and light 
giain feed. 



sire Success 2, dam MoUie; 2d premium, Wash- 
ington, sire Success 2, dam Miss Smith. 

Grades or Crosses open to all Breeds. — Steer 
3 years, 34 entries — 1st premium. Conqueror, 
sire Hereford bull, dam one-halt' Hereford. 

Grade or cross-bred steer 2 and under 3 years, 
33 entries — 3d premium, Kansas, sire Hereford 
bull, dam native cow. 

Steer showing the greatest average gain per 
day since birth, 3 and under -4 years, 10 en- 
tries — 2d premium. Conqueror, sire Hereford 
bull, dam one-half grade Hereford. 

The Grand Special Premium, offered by 
:^larshall Field, $250, for best 5 head of cattle 
anv age or breed, was given to T. L. Miller for 
.') Hereford steers — Conqueror. Will. Washing- 
ton, Bachelor and Kansas. 



This table shows an average weight on five 
2-year-61d past steers of 1,715 pounds, on two 
even 2-year-olds, 1,372 pounds, and three 
1-year-olds, 1,284 pounds. These steers had been 
stall fed, and would, but for the burning of our 
barn, have made 100 pounds more weight per 
head. Our three-year-old grass steers made 
an average of 1,653 pounds, our 2-year-old grass 
steers made an average of 1,360 pounds. These 
two lots may be taken as the standard weights 
for the ordinary farm management. Such an 
exhibit is of value and perhaps of more value 
than our stall fed steers 2-year-old averaging 
1,750 pounds. We were criticised by some par- 
ties for taking our grass steers to the show, 
but we had grown used to criticism, and if we 
had heeded it we should not have been breeders 



4()4 



HISTORY OF HEREFOHD CATTLE 



of Hurcfords, anil the Herel'ords would not luue 
occupied the position they do today. W'c 
tliought if we could sliow tluit witli ordinary 
methods of hay and grass the farmer can i)ut 
his three-year-old steers on the market at an 
average weight of 1,650 pounds, and his two- 
year-olds at nearly 1,400 pounds, he would rec- 
ognize the Herefords as better beef animals 
than he has been in the habit of handling from 
any other breed. 

We called attention to the fat cow nearly 11 
years old, weight 1,800 pounds. We believed 
such an exhiint a credit to the breed, breeding 
for more than the average life of the Short- 
horn, and then going to the butcher as first- 
class beef, weighing 1,800 pounds. It is a 
credit to the breed that it can fit three-year-old 
heifers to 1,750 pounds, but greater credit to 
take an aged breeding cow and make 1,800 
pounds of first-class beef. 

In this exhibit of our breeding stock we 
had the three-year-old bull, Dauphin 18th, bred 
by Mr. J. B. Green, Marlow, PjUgland, weigh- 
ing without fitting 2,330 pounds, and Winter de 
Cote, a brother to Mrs. Edwards' celebrated 
Leonora, and then old Success, nearly ten yi-ars 
old, with all the vigor of a two-year-old, and no 
sign of age upon him. Also four of his heifers, 



and the nine-year-old cow, Victoria (by old Sir 
Charles), the dam of Dictator, owned by Mr. 
F. W. Smith, of Woodlandville, Mo., who won 
with liim the sweepstakes of the best Hereford 
bull two years in succession, at St. Louis, over 
the best Hereford bulls of England and 
America. 

The bulls in this exhibit were from ordinary 
stock keep, and the cows from pasture only. 
We expected the time was not far distant wdien 
stock from the pastures would form an im- 
portant part of the live stock exhibits of our 
leading shows, and if this exhibit of ours would 
hasten that time, we would have accomplished 
what we intended to do. The advice of the best 
and most experienced breeders is to never buy 
fitted stock, and whatever may be the breeder's 
reputation in the show ring, his home exhibit 
must support it, or very few will wish to choose 
from his herd. The five cows exhibited dropped 
within three years, including the year they were 
shown, fourteen calves. 

Whenever the time shall come that grass fed 
cattle and cows with calves at foot shall be a 
feature at our leading fairs, the Herefords will 
show character to which no other breed can 
attain. 




D. p. WILLIAMS, 
Guthrie Center, la. 



J 



11 1 S T O K Y OF HE R E F U K D C A T T L E 



465 



CHAPTER XL. 



Lkttkrs 



FROM : 
T. L. .MiLLKR, 1881. 

W. Daxgeh, 1879. 
8. C. Skid.mohe, 1880. 
Geo. Leigh, 1880. 

CjEO. T. Turner, 1880. 
Thos. Duck'ham, 1880. 
H. M. V.ULE, 1881. 
J. L'. WiLsox, 1881. 
Dakota, 1881. 
John Merryman, 1881. 
James Funkhouser, 1884. 
Hugh Craig, 1884. 
S. D. Fisher, 1884. 
Theodore Whyte, 1884. 
c. m. culbertson. 1885. 



from : 
I). P. Williams, 188G. 
\V. S. Ikard, 188G-87. 
F. 0. Skidmore, 188G. 
F. \V. Smith, 1883. 
W. E. Campbell, 1883. 
Henry Lane, 1883. 
James W. Cox, 1883. 
H. BowEN, 1883. 
Kennedy Bros., 1883. 
Cepiialus Black, 1883. 
Amos Bissell, 1883. 
H. C. Burleigh, 188G. 
P. Meiian, 188G. 
A. M. White, 1886. 



:\ri{. MILLER'S POSITION. 

Tlic following is an open letter l'roii\ T. L. 
MilliT to the "Farmer's ilagazine" of Ken- 
tucky (1881) : 

It is satisfactorr when another states your 
position, if he shall do it correctly; but the 
editor of the "Farmer's llagazine," in his edi- 
torial entitled "What will he do with it ?" is not 
exactly fair in giving me a position, or in stat- 
ing that position, but on this point we will not 
quarrel. 

The Hereford breeders have not been block- 
heads. They have attended to the breeding of 
their stock, and have produced a race of cattle 
that have held the top price, both with the 
grazier and butcher. The breeding intelligence 
and practical brains have not been with the 
Shorthorns. The agricultural societies and 
press have been controlled in the interest of the 
Shorthorns, and that control has not been fairly 
obtained, because they have been organized and 
managed, as stated in the preand)le. for the 
purpose of bringing forth the best, while they 
have been worked to advance the Shorthorn in- 
terest. 

"The ])ress and the agricultural societies were 



taken covertly and liy storm in the interest of 
Bates or Booth, and wrong was made to look 
right and right wrong." This is a fair state- 
ment of my position, and I propose to prove it 
i)y the record. 

Again you say: "Those who have observed 
ilr. Miller closely, as we have done, must be 
impressed with the contempt he manifests for 
all those who think differently from him." 

There are writers in the interest of the Short- 
horns who are forever pointing to the past his- 
tory of the Shorthorns as an evidence of merit, 
as certain persons are pointing to the history 
of tlieir parents or grandparents, or great- 
grandparents as an evidence of their ability. 
For such I have no great respect. I think if 
you will go back in the Shortliorn history to 
1817, that time of the Sanders and Clay im- 
])ortations, and follow the breeding of those 
cattle through their cros.ses, you will find that 
the Hereford blood in that importation and 
their produce, went a long way towards giving 
to the Kentucky cattle the character they have 
had in the past times. You will find to this 
time those markings that denote Hereford 
blood: and you will find tliat witl) these mark- 
ings there is a quality that I claim belongs to 
the Herefords. Now there is no question but 



•iCG 



HISTORY OF H R R E F R D C A T T L K 



that the Herefords were an important element 
in the cattle interest of Kentucky from 1817 to 
1840, and you will find men now living that 
will recognize this fact. You will find another 
fact: that the Kentucky reputation for good 
cattle is based more upon the Seventeens than 
■upon the Bates, Dukes and Duchesses, and when 
the latter are forgotten this will be your boast. 
One of your prominent breeders told me in 
Kansas City several years ago that he knew the 
Duke bulls were damaging the character of the 
Shorthorn cattle, 
hut they coidd not 
sell any others to a 
jj r f i t. Further- 
more, there are 
none of your best 
breeders biit know 
that Kentucky cat- 
tle are poorer for 
having used this 
blood. 

What you say of 
Mr. Goddard will 
be said of many of 
your best breeders. 
They can take the 
Seventeens a n d 
make a breed or 
other families of Short- 



.o 




ltfll 


1 


'"' 


w 



W. S. IKARD, 
Henrietta, Tex. 



family that will top 
horns in the state. 

After you have investigated the cattle his- 
tory of Kentucky from 1817 to 181:0 turn your 
attention to the operations of the breeders in 
England, at the time they took possession of 
the machinery of the Society for the Diffusion 
of Useful Knowledge, and notice with what tact 
they obtained the endorsement of that society 
for their breed. Rev. Mr. Berry might have 
written over his own signature and in his own 
name the history of the Shorthorns and the 
history of other breeds of English cattle but 
that would not have appeared well. He there- 
fore obtained the appointment of Mr. Y'ouatt, 
a scholarly gentleman of that period, to write 
their history at his (Rev. Henry Berry's) dicta- 
tion. 

Will there be any question but that the Rev. 
Henry Berry supervised the writing of the his- 
tory of other breeds of English cattle that ap- 
pear in the same volume, "Y'^ouatt on British 
Cattle" ? If you should have any doubt on this 
point after a careful investigation I should be 
pleased to enter upon this study with you. 

After a careful study of Youatt and his his- 
tory, I would recommend to you a careful ex- 
amination as to the organization of the Royal 
Agricultural Society of England in 18.39. You 



will there find that some of the Shorthorn 
lireeders used some of the best and most noble 
of England's nobility and gentry for the en- 
dorsement of that breed, known then by the 
name of the Shorthorn or Durham breed of cat- 
tle; while the breeders and advocates of this 
breed were the judges and committeemen who 
managed the awards and you will find that the 
press published these awards on the report of 
tliese judges and of these committeemen. 

You will find that your State Societies were 
under the same sort of management, and you 
may look into the history of the Herefords and 
Shorthorns in 1834, at which time Y'ouatt 
wrote, and you will find that at the public sales 
of blooded stock and butcher's stock in Eng- 
land, the Hereford sold at longer prices usually 
than the Shorthorn. 

You may then go to the records of the Smith- 
field Society and you will find on the records 
of that Society that the Herefords and Short- 
horns were competing, and that up to 1834 the 
Hereford oxen and steers had taken eighty- 
five premiums amounting to 1,295 pounds 
sterling ($6,475), while the Shorthorns had 
taken thirty-two premiums, amounting to 585 
pounds sterling ($2,925). This showing was 
a matter of record in London at the time Prof. 
Youatt was writing. 

In the history of the Herefords Prof. Y'ouatt 
gives one experiment of the feeding of three 
Shorthorns and three Herefords, showing 
about thirty per cent in favor of Herefords. 
He gives seven pages or more to the report of 
sales of Shorthorns, and no account of the 
sales of Herefords, while he might have had 
access to the records of such sales. 

He gives two pages (312-313) to quoting 
the Duke of Bedford's experiment of feeding 
different breeds of cattle, but as far as Here- 
fords or Shorthorns are concerned, he says: 
"Although the Herefords are now established 
at Woburn . . ." and in a foot note adds : 
"To the many records of experiments on the 
comparative fattening qualities of the Hereford 
and Durham cattle, we will not now refer. One, 
although not then assigned to its proper author, 
the present Duke of Bedford, was detailed on 
page 34 of this work. We will content our- 
selves with referring to that. The patrons of 
the Shorthorns, however, have not considered it 
altogether satisfactory in its details." 

This is disposing of the Duke of Bedford's 
experiments as a historian has no right to do. 
Will anyone doubt that if these experiments 
had resulted in favor of the Durham, they 
would have found a place in this "History of 
British Cattle?" 



IT I S T R ^' F 11 K R K F R D ( ' A T T L E 



467 



Bi'twoen the years ol' 18;U and 1840, covering 
tlie time when the Royal Agrieultiiral Soeiety 
of iMiglaiul aud Xew York State Agrieultiiral 
Soeiety established their t'airs^, the report of 
tiie Sniithlield Club shows that the Herel'ords 
took thirty-live premiums, amounting to 465 
pounds sterling ($2,325) ; the Shorthorns took 
lil'teen prennums, amounting to 'i'M) pounds 
sterling ($1,150). 

In is;5!) Jlr. W. n. Sotham lirought an im- 
portation of Ilerefords to Albany, N. Y., and 
nearly every Shorthorn breeder in New Y'ork 
State quoted Youatt against him, and the en- 
tire Shorthorn interest of that state fought Mr. 
Sotham from the start, compelling him to ex- 
hibit with discrimination against him and un- 
der Shorthorn judges. 5Ir. Sotham had a fight 
at that time, with justice and merit with him, 
l)ut was overpowered by numbers and beaten 
l)y such men as H. S. Randall, Lewis F. Allen, 
.Vmbrose Stevens, backed by such men as E. P. 
I'rentiee, C. II. Bement, Stephen Van Kensse- 
hu'r, George Vail, J. M. Sherwood, and others, 
aiul these used the Xew Y'ork State Agricul- 
tural Society to aid in this defeat. 

If my success with the Herefords had de- 
jiended -upon the introduction of them among 
the Shorthorn men, who were aided by the Illi- 
nois State Agricultural Society, I wouhl have 
likely found the same result that Mr. Sotham 
did. I, however, took my field among the breed- 
ers of the plains, and their acceptance of the 
Herefords secured the success of the enterprise. 

The Smithfield continued to show all breeds 
in comjjctition up to and including 1851, when 
the Shorthorn men took the management of 
the society, "covertly and by storm," changed 
the showing from the old plan of showing all 
breeds in competition to class showing. From 
1840 to 1851, the Herefords had taken sixty- 
five premiums, amounting to 920 pounds ster- 
ling (.$4,600), the Shorthorns had taken thirty- 
seven premiums, amounting to 365 pounds 
sterling ($1,825). During these years, say 
from 1800 to 1851, Hereford beef had sold on 
the London market at a higher price than 
Shorthorn beef by one or two cents per pound. 
And during all this tim(> the results of careful 
trials were published and accessible, showing 
that Hereford beef could be made at from 15 
to 30 per cent cheaper than that of the Short- 
horn. These are facts accessible to Shorthorn 
breeders and editors, and still they make claims 
tliat ignore them ; and societies that are sup- 
ported by the State funds give special encour- 
agement to the Shorthorns and discriminate 
against other breeds Is it singular that I 
should not honor men that will put forth claims 
that tlie entire record will condemn? 



Y'our correspondent, Mr. T. C. Anderson, 
under date of November 1, 1880, in an article 
to the "Kansas City Indicator," says: "What 
authority has Jlr. Miller for saying that the 
Hereford will graze and feed at less cost than 
the Shorthorn, and when fed are worth more 
money ?" Any breeder having been engaged in 
that business as long as Mr. Anderson should 
understand the history of the cattle he breeds, 
and the breeds with which he competes, better 
than to put such questions — he ought to be bet- 
ter posted in cattle history. He may be ex- 
cused, being a breeder, for making the best 
show he can for his breed, as a lawyer may l)e 
for quoting law and facts that will favor his 
client. But you occupy rather the position of 
the judge. Y'our position may be termed a 
judicial one, and 3'ou are supposed to stand as 
the instructor, and not as the advocate. 

Y^ou should know the history as the judge 
should know the law, and when the advocate 
presents his case you should not give a verdict 
by silence or endorsement that will work an 
injury to your readers. I am aware that the 
position I have taken is revolutionary. I pro- 




GEO. W. RUST. 
Eminent Shorthorn authority. 

pose it shall be, and had I not the facts to sup- 
port my position I nught be written down a 
fool. And it becomes you to look well to 
jirecedent before you commit yourself to claims 
that have no basis in equity. 

Very truly, T. L. Miller. 



4G8 



HISTORY OF HERE FOE D CATTLE 



HEREFOKDS FOR CROSSING. 

In the "Breeders' Joiirnal," Vol. IT, p. 3, Mr. 
H. M. Vaile, a leading Bates Shorthdrn breeder, 
sa^'s : 

"While thev (the Herel'ords) are uniform in 
color and markings, they are not uniform in 
fattening capacity, and it is the experience of 
unprejudiced men, that they are a failure in 
crossing upon other cattle, or comparatively so." 
To which we replied, "I would credit Mr. V. 
with an honest intention of stating what he 
l)elieves to he true. But this statement is wide 
of the mark. There is no breed that carry their 



l)een, and I cannot believe they will ever be the 
equal of the Shorthorns." At that time we 
said : "I would advise Mr. Vaile to spend some 
time among the cattle men of Kansas City, and 
talk with them as to the character of the Here- 
ford and Shorthorns. The Herefords will top 
all other cattle, not because of my zeal, but of 
the merits of the cattle." 

In reply to Mr. V'aile we (piote ilr. J. C. 
\\'ilson, as follows: 

" 'Breeders' Live Stock Journal' : In the Jan- 
uary number of the 'Journal' I see an article 
headed 'Shorthorns vs. T. L. Miller,' in which 




RO, TEX. 



IIEHIiFOKU BULLS ON THK TEXAS liANGE. 
Property of Mrs. C. Adair (R. Walsh, manager), Paloduro. (From a photograph taken in the spring after win- 
tering without feed or hay.) 



quality SO uniformly upon their pi-ddiiee as do 
the Herefords, and 1 shuuld lie glad to show 
Mr. V. the produce from widely differing 
dams." 

Mr. Vaile closes by saying, "the Herefords 
have been in the hands of good breeders ; yet, 
for one hundred yeRVfi they have not extended 
tiieir limits, and scarce increased in numbers, 
until Mr. Jliller became their champion. He 
has given them new life by his great zeal, and 
I expect this will continue for a time, for they 
are not without merit. But tliev never have 



Mr. Vaile is quoted as saying : 'While the Here- 
fords are uniform in color and markings, they 
are not imiform in fattening capacity, and it 
is the experience of unprejudiced men that they 
are a failure in crossing ui)on other cattle, or 
comparatively so.' 

"Now, Mr. Editor, I wish to say that Mr. 
Vaile cannot be posted in either particular of 
which he speaks regarding Herefords, when he 
makes such a statement as the above. It is not 
the experience of men who breed Herefords, 
that thev fail either in fattening uniformlv or 



11 1 S T OR\' () !■■ 11 !•: K K F O 1! I) ( ' A T T L 1-: 



469 



in crossing sutn'ssfully with other cattle. We 
have been breeding beef cattle for profit for 
twenty years, and for sixteen years we liave bred 
and fed a large number of grade Hereford 
cattle, both steers, heifers and cows, and we find 
them more profitable than either Shorthorn or 
Devons, with both of which we have exjieri- 
mented. 

"In the winter of 1878, in an address before 
the Farmers' Institute of Michigan, held in 
Flint, I had the honor, and pleasure also, of 
giving these experiments in detail; and the ad- 
dress lias been |iublish('d in full in the Auri- 



cannot say we were unprejiuliced breeders and 
feeders, for we started out strongly prejudiced 
in favor of the Shorthorns, but the Herefords, 
on their merit alone, have worked themselves 
into our favor so far, that at present we breed 
and fee.d none but the white faces. We have 
now over 200 grades of this breed on our farm, 
and we are satisfied that they make us more 
dollars and cents than we could possibly get 
out of Shorthorns. They will produce more 
beef in shorter time with less outlay of food 
and less care, than the Shorthorns. They are 
a hardier race of animals, stand our winters 




-^MI!5^*'*^HWJI5t-«*."y .•i^^ 




SHORTHORN BULLS ON THE TEXAS RANGE. 
Property of the Farwell syndicate. (From a photograph taken in the spring after wintering on hay and cotton seed.) 



cultural Report of ilichigan f(U' that year, to 
which I woidd most respectfully refer Mr. 
^'aile for proof demonstrating the error of the 
position he assumes with regard to the Here- 
fords, both as regards fattening evenly and 
crossing successfully with other cattle. An 
application to Prof. Baird, at the Agrictdtural 
College at Lansing, will enable anyone wishing 
the report to get one. 

■'Our grade Hereford steers have always sur- 
passed both the others in early maturity, in 
lieing more easily and cheaply kept, and in 
nuirket value when readv for the shambles. I 



better, and are less liable to disease than the 
Shorthorns. 

"Jajies C. Wilson, M. D. (^ 3.58) 

"Suj)t. Crapo Farm, ■ 
"Flint, Mich. 
"P. S. — Our experience with the Herefords is 
supplemented by that of our neighl)ors. ^Ir. 
Thomas F"oster, a celebrated Devon breeder and 
feeder, has changed to the Herefords, and finds 
them more profitable. The Hon. Wm. Hamil- 
ton, a celebrated Shorthorn man of this coun- 
try, and also the Hon. S. Howard, another 
Shorthorn breeder and feeder, have become 



470 



HISTORY or HEREFORD C A T T L E 



converted from the error of their ways, and 
gone into the breeding of Hereford grades and 
lull-bloods. They all confirm what I have just 
said about the Herefords. W." 

AN Australian's experience. 

We take the liberty of quoting a letter 
(1879), from W. Danger, Esq., of Hunters 
River, Australia, to the Hon. Thomas Duck- 
ham, England: 

"Previous to my leaving the Colony for Eng- 
land, I had not any jjure-bred Herefords, my 
importation having been Shorthorns, but Mr. 
Hobler, who occupied an adjoining station, had 
Herefords, and his bull occasionally stra3'ed 
among my cows. The result was, I had a good 
many white-faced cattle. Thus it frequently 
happened 'that five or six of these cross breds 
were among a draft lot of probably 150 to SOO, 
and when the dealers were taken to them, the 
white faces were sure to be pointed out as the 
right sort, and the expression made, 'I wish all 
of the lot were like those beasts. Prime beasts ! 
Real plums!' 

"I had ojiportunities of seeing them when 
slaughtered at Sydney, when the carcass butch- 
ers told me their quality was excellent; that 
they equalled the Shorthorns in their rough fat. 



and that they preferred the white-faced bullocks 
to those of any other breed. 

''I also found that they traveled the long dis- 
tance from the station to Sydney — say "250 to 
300 miles — better than any others; a less num- 
ber became lame on the journey, which is, I 
consider, very greatly in their favor. 

"For what I have jeen in other licrds, the 
Herefords readily became acclimated and fully 
retain their general character, displaying equal 
or greater aptitude to fatten than the Short- 
horns. And from these combined advantages 
I lost no time, on my arrival in England, in 
purchasing and exporting bulls. 

"My nephew has now my station, and he 
has recently purchased a three-year-old bull, 
bred by Mr. Reynolds, of Tocal, Patterson, 
Maitland. He was winner of the first prize as 
a yearling, a two-year-old, and a three-year-old, 
successively. The Herefords are now more nu- 
merous than the Devons, and nearly equal the 
Shorthorns in number." 

EARLY TEXAS EXPERIENCE. 

■Aransas, Bee Co., Texas. 
Dear Sir: Your note is at hand and contents 
noted. You wish to know how the Herefords 
we bought of you the winter of 187() are getting 




HEREFORDS ON THE RANGE IN TEXAS. 
(Frofti a photograph taken in the spring after wintering on the range without hay or feed.) 



HIS T OKI' OF H E K E F U K D C A T T L E 



171 




MAJAKIS 
iVrar the Canadian Riv 

along. M\' sou and 1 onl}' kept fivu huad, IIopu 
and Venture, the largest and smallest grade 
heifer and one grade bull. All five are 
living and- doing well. We like them better 
than Shorthorn stock. I think you can sell 
some here in this portion of the country as 
everyljody is pleased with them. They can live 
and do well where other stock . will die. We 
have some beautiful half-breeds coming on. I 
would like if you would bring down some Here- 
fords next fall. I want some of your best thor- 
oughbreds. Yours truly, 

S. C. Skidmoke. 

JIORE EARLY TEXAS EXPERIENCE. 

Tascosa, Oldham Co., Texas. 
October 17, 1880. 
Editor "Texas Live Stock Journal": 

T am on the ranch of Messrs. Lee and Hcyu- 
olds, and thought a general sketch of tlic ini- 
jM'ovi'd land and blooded stock owned by them 
might perhaps help to prove the value of such 
stock, and that they can be bred and raised 
with less expense as well in Texas as other 
states. 

These geutleiiieii have foi' the last few years 
been im]iortiiig thoroughliretl bulls from ("nii- 



CANYON. 
T, Panhandle of Texas. 

ada aud the Eastern states, and now they have 
their herd graded up to such a standard of 
excellence, that it has no equal on this conti- 
nent. For the past two years they have been 
unable to supply the demand for young stock. 
To meet this big and growing demand, they 
decided last year to make a specialty and breed 
with the express view of supplying Texas ranch- 
men with improved and thoroughbred bulls. 
Being thorough and practical cattle men, well 
versed in the wants and requirements of the 
trade, and possessed with unlimited means, they 
have and will make the venture a success. 
To show their confidence and earnestness in 
the business, I would state that for the ranch 
now occupied bv them, they paid something 
over $40,000. which is, by the way, the best 
situated and adapted for business of any I 
have seen. I feel my inability to give a de- 
scription which will do justice to either ranch 
or cattle. 

Shorthorns. — Among their first importa- 
tions, besides a fine lot of heifers, were twenty 
head of two and three-year-old bulls, bred by 
Mr. F. W. Stone, of Canada. A grander and 
more massive set of fellows it has never been 
nur pleasure to see. Next in order are a lot 



47-2 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



bred at Bow Park, Canada, the first of which 
we would mention is the Earl of Airdrie 3d, out 
of Rose of Racine, b}- Imported 4th Duke of 
Clarence, the latter of which is the purest bred 
Duchess bull in existence and cost in England 
the snug little sum of $13,000. The Earl of 
Airdrie is a solid red, unusual!}' large for his 
age, and of great bene and substance. Next 
comes Gauntlet, a rich roan-colored yearling, 
sired by the same famous animal, out of San- 
pareil 12th. Gauntlet was shown when a calf, 
at all the leading fairs, both in Canada and 
the United States, taking the silver medal at 



Heeefohds. — Now, having briefly made men- 
tion of a few of the most noted Shorthorn 
males in use on this ranch, we will also briefly 
notice the Hereford part of the herd, and in 
doing so think it sufficient to merely mention 
that they are the best that money would buy, 
the most of them being the get of T. L. Jililler's 
Imported Success, Seventy-six and other im- 
ported bulls, costing way up in the hundreds 
per head. There is. a great controversy going 
on between cattle men as to the relative merits 
of the breeds, and having handled Shorthorns 
all my life, I am naturally prejudiced against 




HiAlJE YEARLING HEIFERS IN THE ADAIR HERD. 
J. A. Braud, Panhandle of Texas. 



Ottawa, offered by the Governor-General for 
the best calf of any kind in the Dominion, and 
has also taken the first premium wherever 
shown. There are .too many of these pure and 
excellently bred Shorthorn males in this herd 
to give anything like a minute description of 
all of them ; we will, therefore, merely mention 
one other, and pass to the Herefords. That 
one is Prince Arthur, which is in all probabil- 
ity the purest bred animal on the continent; 
resembling in form a huge Berkshire pig. 
Prince Arthur is out of Princess Royal, Im- 
ported, by Vanguard, out of the grand Manta- 
line tribe. 



Herefords to some extent, but since experiment- 
ing with them on the range for the past year 
I must admit that the Herefords are unques- 
tionably the best "wrestlers." We are now 
separating the males and cows, and I only wish 
the editor of the "Journal" was here to pass liis 
opinion upon the relative merits of each breed. 
I will state, however, that while the Durhams 
are in fair flesh the Herefords are rolling fat, 
and that each have had the same opportunities 
and facilities; except, it is claimed by the herd- 
ers, that notwithstanding the hotter condition 
of the Herefords that they have done inoro 
service during the season than have the Dur- 



HISTORY OF iikri:fohi) cattle 



4r3 



hams; proving very coiiclusivi'ly that they are 
the thriftiest and best cattle for Texas. What 
Texas ranchmen want is a Ijlooded bull that 
will take his place liy the side of the Texan 
and wrestle through the winter in good Hesh, 
and consequently be in good condition for ren- 
dering valuable services early in the spring, 
which want can be supplied by no other as 
natisfactorily as by the Herefords. Parties 
wishing to purchase fine males with a view of 
improving their herds cannot do better than 
to correspond or call on the proprietors of this 
ranch. Geo. Leigh. 

It is only necessary to add that starting in 
with these excellent and representative stocks 
of l)oth breeds, the Herefords won the prefer- 
ence of their owners and the Hereford sup- 
planted the Shorthorn on the Reynolds ranches 
and are still (1898) doing so. T. L. M. 

AX EXGLISHIIAX'S TESTIMONY. 

We give below an extract from a letter of 
(ieorge T. Turner, Knockhalt, England, to the 
"Xational Live Stock Journal": 

'"The Carlisle meeting of the Eoyal Agricul- 
tural Society was once again very unfortunate 
on the .score of weather, but the north country 
people, who do not mind rain, because they are 
used to it, came in goodly numbers and 'did' 
the show as thoroughly as though the sun had 
been shining all the time. They came on pur- 
pose, and the mere rain and mud could not hin- 
der them from seeing all there was to be seen. 
In spite of good attendance, however, there was 
a loss to the society of about 950 pounds ster- 
ling. There is a grim sort of satisfaction to be 
derived from the fact of fewer hundreds being 
lo.-it by the society this year than there were 
thousands last year. The show was on rather 
a smaller scale than usual, but it was very 
select. Nearly all the stock was good, and the 
Carlisle meeting does not rank second to any 
former show held in connection with the society 
in point of interest and general utility. 

"Herefords were a long way from home, and 
were consequently small in numbers, but the 
classes included some of the best cattle that the 
county of Hereford can, at the present time, 
j)roduce. At the head of the list of bulls was 
ilr. Aaron Rogers' Grateful, which is, without 
doubt, the best showyard Hereford of the day, 
now that Airs. Sarah Edwards has lost the in- 
comparable cow, Leonora. He wears well, too, 
and is in good show form a couple of seasons af- 
ter the famous Shorthorn show bull Sir .\rthur 
Ingram has played himself out, both bulls being 
of the same age. These two animals contested 



the open championship of the Oxford meeting 
of the Bath and West in 1878, when the Here- 
ford won easily, and at the same time and place 
the Hereford cow Leonora won the open cham- 
pionship prize for the best cow or heifer in the 
yard quite as easily. These open championships 
have not been since offered, nor will they he, 
so long as the Shorthorn men retain the influ- 
ence they now command, in the councils of the 
agricultural societies. Two of the Hereford fe- 
males which took first prize in their respective 
classes have, I understand, been purchased for 
the United States, namely, Mr. T. Middleton's 
cow, Xannette (j| 359) — a winner of many 
prizes — and ilr. Thomas Fenn's heifer, Down- 
ton Rose, also a very successful animal in the 
show yard, and both of them Herefords of the 
first water. They should prove of great value 
to their new owners. Hereford cattle are now 
being sent into the chief show yards of the 
kingdom in first rate form, and the breed has 
been brought to a very high state of excellence. 
The different strains of blood have been fairly 
intermingled, and families have not been bred 
in-and-in, as the so-called fashionable Short- 
horns have been, consequently they have not 
lost constitution. I shall be deceived if they do 
not work themselves into greater favor than the 
Shorthorns in the great breeding districts of 
tlie United States." 

J[R. DUCKHAM COJIJIEXDS OUR WORK. 

To the Editor of the "Hereford Times"" : 
Sir : It was with much surprise that I read in 




A MODEL SURFACE TANK IN A TEXAS PASTURE. 
(Capital syndicate.) 

an article in the "Hereford Times" of the 7th 
inst., under the heading "Hereford Cattle in 
America," that "the numerous breeders of pure 
Herefords may be congratulated on the new 
market which has been opened to them by the 



47-t 



H J S T () H V C) F II K R E F K D C A T T L E 



enterprise, judgment and business tact of Mr. 
Morgan and Mr. Thos. Rogers." Now, sir, I 
liave no desire to detract in the slightest degree 
from the honors really due to those gentlemen, 
but quite the contrary, as I know full well the 
value which is to be attached to the judgment 
and care of one who can so successfully select 
and make up animals for the show ring as Mr. 




W. E. CAMPBELL. OF WINCHESTER. OKLA. 

(.Nicknamed "Shorthorn CampbeU." and later "Baldtace 

Campbell.') 

ilorgan, as also, to an auctioneer, who so perse- 
veringly uses his best efforts in the discharge 
of the duties he undertakes, as Mr. Rogers. At 
the same time, I must say that the meed of 
praise so profusely given in that article is due 
to Mr. T. L. Miller, of Beecher, 111., U. S. A., 
whose untiring perseverance in the cause mer- 
its every feeling of gratitude which the breeders 
of Herefords can award him. 

Not only has Mr. Miller patronized the Here- 
fords by establishing the largest, and I think 
I may add, the best herd of Herefords in the 
United States, but he has so placed them before 
stock owners of that great country at the vari- 
ous exhibitions, and by his sound judgment, 
untiring perseverance, great talent as a writer 
and great influence as a gentleman of position, 
he has claimed for them (and to a certain ex- 



tent successfully so)' a front rank in the great 
state exhibitions of the United States. It was 
Mr. Miller who protested against sending his 
Herefords to the International Exhiiiition at 
Philadelphia in 1876, unless an English judge 
was selected to aid in awarding the premiums, 
which protest resulted in my being sent out by 
the British Commission. It was Mr. Miller 
who first introduced the Herefords into the 
far West to improve the vast herds in the west- 
ern states. It was Mr. Miller who resolved to 
obtain the necessary information and publish 
a Herd Book for Hereford cattle in America. 
It was Mr. Miller who, knowing the value of 
the press in the promotion of any great object, 
established an agricultural paper in the in- 
terest of Herefords. 

Knowing all this from many years of cor- 
respondence with that gentleman, I feel I 
should be wanting in the proper discharge of 
a duty to him if I did not place those facts 
before your readers. I may add further, that 
Mr. ililler was here in June last, when he pur- 
cliascd about 100 of our far-famed red with 
white faces and, although far past the meridian 
of life, he hastened back to use his best en- 
deavors to obtain a removal of the restrictions 
of a ninety days' quarantine, imposed upon that 
side upon animals imported from this country. 

I fear his usual success has not attended his 
efforts in that direction and I hear he is now 
returning, if not returned, to England to ar- 
range for shipping his purchases. 

There are several breeders of Herefords in the 
United States of much longer standing than 
Mr. Miller, but it was left to him to bring them 
to the front in the manner in which they are 
now brought. Mr. Miller only commenced as 
a Hereford breeder in 1871. In 1872 his then 
partner, Mr. Powell, a Herefordshire man, 
came to England and purchased a few Here- 
fords, among them the handsome young cow 
Dolly Varden, bred by Mr. Morris, Town 
House, Madley, and her two offspring. Mr. 
Powell soon entered upon another business and 
Mr. Miller was most fortunate in securing the 
assistance of one so thoroughly conversant with 
the management of a herd as Mr. Morgan. The 
e.xcellence of Mr. Miller's herd which he sent 
to the International Exhibition, and the manner 
in which Mr. Morgan brought them out and 
]ila('cd them before the judges, were themes of 
admiration to all who beheld them. After I 
discharged my duties at that exhibition, I vis- 
ited Mr. Miller and numerous other Hereford 
breeders, in order that I might make their per- 
sonal acquaintance and see how the various 
herds acclimatized, but at no place did I see 



HISTORY OF HKRKFOKl) CATTLE 



475 



thoin so a(liiiirai)!y iiiaiiaf^cd as thoso uiiilrr 
.Mr. XforojanV cair. 

I \voul<l lu'iv ri'sjK'etl'iilly suggest thai the 
Ilcivford lirwdcrs pay some c-oiiipliinent to Mr. 
Miller wlu'ii lu' ri'turns to this country, in ac- 
knowlfdgini'nt of the very valuable assistance 
lie has rendered to them in creating a demand 
for their pedigree animals, which, although of 
great and unjjrecedented pro])ortions, is now 
onlv in its infancy. T. Duckham. 

Hnysham Court^ Koss, Aug. 17, 1880. 



marbled to perfection, after one, or sometimes 
two winters' feeding in stalls, with ground feed. 
I have in mind now, one pair of them that I 
slaughtered, one of which made eighty pounds 
and the other eighty-one pounds of dressed 
meat, hide and tallow, to the 100 pounds alive. 
Those were o.xen of six to seven years old, and 
had been worked before feeding. I notice, how- 
ever, that now-a-days your prize steers beat it, 
but for that day I considered it extra fine. So 
you will readily see that twenty-five years ago 




SAMPLE OF A MODEL RANGE HERD. 



A iiARTFoitn (c'oxx.) butcher's expeiuence 
(1881). 

The following is an extract, from the letter 
of a gentleman in Dakota, and it will be no- 
ticed, that from cutting and marketing, he has 
had an experience that sustains the position we 
have taken as to the quality of Hereford beef : 

"For many years at Hartford, Connecticut, 
my old home and birthplace, I handled very 
many fine cattle, and was for many years in the 
marketing business, and in that rich city, cut 
up many prize cattle and always cut first-class 
beef. But in those days, fron'i 1852 to 1862, 
I used to get some Hereford cattle, fed by Con- 
necticut valley farmers, and they were always 
superior beef to the Durhanis, or the noted 
Connecticut red oxen of that day. Fat and lean 



T preferred the Herefords to anything for fine 
beef animals. But enough. I am now up here 
in the richest valley in the United States, which 
aside from wheat is to be a great stock country 
in the future. I am just getting a stock farm 
started to make Hereford beef." 

A M.AEYLAND BREEDER'S EXPERIENCE. 

Jolin Merryman was one of the oldest breed- 
ers of Hereford cattle, and thus stated his ex- 
perience : 

At the Xew York State Fair, held at Water- 
town, in 1856, I purchased from Messrs. A. & 
H. Bowen, a yearling bull, Catalpa, and a 
heifer. Lilac. My next purchase was from Mr. 
Sotham, and consisted of thirteen cows and 
heifers, and two bulls. including Blenheim. 1870. 

My next iiurchase was from the State Board 



476 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



of Massachusetts, including the imported cow 
Milton, bred by John Longmore, of Orleton, 
and her four-year-old cow and heifer Promise. 
Milton was brought over with the bull Cronk- 
hill, bred by Lord Berwick, and he was sire of 
Cora and Promise. The same year, I purchased 
five more head from Mr. Sotham. Curly, the 
Ashton bull, died while in my possession. 1 
had given Col. Edward Lloyd, Blenheim in ex- 
change for him. He got out of Milton, a bull- 
calf, Marion, and out of Miss Tully, also an 
imported cow% a heifer, Hattie. She brought 
me a number of superior calves by Sir Richard 



A SAMPLE CASE FROM KANSAS (1882). 

Mr. Editor: 

Before consenting to exhibit my Hcrefords at 
Wichita Fair, I saw the president — who is an 
honorable gentleman — and he promised me that 
no Shorthorn breeder should be put on the 
sweepstakes awarding committee, but through 
the intent or carelessness of some subordinate 
officer, three Shorthorn breeders were chosen 
as judges of sweepstakes. Two of them were 
unknown to me; the other was the Hon. Wm. 
Ross, an old acquaintance, who had been an 



?*i*''%y?'*|^ 





iV ««^>^i-* * 



SAMPLE OF SO-CALLED HEREFORDS TOO OFTEN FOUND ON THE RANGE AND ELSEWHERE. 
(Every whitetace is not a Hereford.) 



2d, including Belle McAlpin, dam of Stonie 
Williams. I have had two bulls from Mr. F. 
W. Stone, Admiral and Canadian; also im- 
ported Sir Richard 2d, who was bred by J. H. 
Arkwright, Esq. I afterwards used Hlinois, 
son of Success, bred by T. L. Miller, and now 
have Prince of the Wye, bred by Mr. T. Duck- 
ham, M. P. I have been a breeder of Herefords 
for twenty-five years, and am, perhaps, entitled 
to the position as the oldest breeder now in the 
business. Respectfully yours, 

John Mereyman. 
Cockeysville, Md., Aug. 9, 1881. 



exhibitor of Shorthorns at previous fairs. 
From such a personage I expected even-handed 
justice. My bull had been pronounced the best 
bull in the show by quite a numlier of Short- 
horn breeders, and was almost the universal 
choice of the multitude. They were so out- 
spoken in his favor that I thought I had an 
easy walk-away. Imagine my surprise when I 
found he was not noticed by the judges any 
more than a yellow dog would have been outside 
the ring, and the 1st and 2d riblions were tied 
upon Shorthorn bulls. 

As I led my bull from the ring a prominent 



HISTORY OF II K i; 



O i; I) L'ATTLE 



477 



Sliorthorii hreodtT ri'iiiarkiHl : "Well, the white- 
fiK-ed bull is the hest hull on the grounds, if he 
did not get a ribbon." "That's what 1 say." 
"I say so too," and other like remarks from 
the bystanders, caused a crowd to gather around 
the dee])ly-wronged animal and he was viewed 
over and over again, and in ten minutes he had 
at- many friends as anybody. I felt the in- 
justice so keeidy that L could scarcely conduct 
myself with proper decorum, and when the 
Honorable l?o.ss came round to see what the 
row was about, I addressed him thus: "Well, 
I'nclc Rillv. I would like vou to take n look 



till' residt was the same as in the bull ring and 
the crowd became so outspoken that the super- 
intendent announced, that, owing to the dis- 
satisfaction among the "outsiders," he would 
postpone the exhibit of herds competing for 
sweepstakes honors until the next day and then 
he would try and secure new judges to pass 
u]wn them. 

My protest was substantially as follows: 
"To the Officers and Directors of the Sedg- 
wick County Agricultural, ilechanical and 
Stock Association : 

"(Irounds of Protest: 1st. That the Hon. 






A M^DEL RANCH HEADQUARTERS. 
Spring Lake Ranch of W. E. HalseU. Bovina, Tex. 



at my little bull; I don't think your committee 
has ever seen him. I would have felt highly 
complimented had you noticed him while in the 
ring." This was more tlian his Honor could 
bear, and he replied: "The Herefords have no 
right to show against Sliorthorns anyhow." To 
which I replied, "Tf that is the case, I will leave 
my cows in their stalls; the public will give the 
ner(>fords justice if y(ui Shorthorn judges will 
not." T then announced that I would protest 
the awards. The crowd then shouted, "Show 
your cows; you shall have justice." I con- 
sented, and did show them undtT protest. But 



Wni. Ross is now, and has in the past been a 
breeder and exhibitor of Shorthorn cattle at 
our annual fairs, and that he is interested in 
the success of the Shorthorn breed ; and fur- 
ther, that he has shown great prejudice and 
bitterness against the Hereford breed in certain 
newspaper articles published over his signature, 
in the papers of this city, and in our belief, 
be could not do justice to any animal com- 
peting for sweepstakes honors that was not a 
Shorthorn. 

"2. That the other two committeemen are 
Shorthorn breeders and interested in the success 



478 



11 I S T () li Y F H E R E F K D C: A T T L E 



of the Shorthorn breed, and that both of them 
have acknowledged that they knew nothing of 
the Hereford breed, one of them stating to 
myself that he did not know anything about 
Herefords, whether they were good for milk or 
anything else, and that the other (Mr. Roberts) 
made substantially the same statement to Mr. 
E. L. Houston. 

"3. That the Shorthorn bull that said com- 
mittee awarded the second sweepstakes pre- 
mium, entered the ring displaying a blue rib- 
bon in token of a first premium in his class, 
and, altliiiimli .his attendant was requestt'd to 



my business and paid' no further attention to it. 
But the Siiorthorn men were better posted than 
1 (tliis being my first experience, I admit 1 
was not prepared to meet all the tricks), and 
put tlieir heads together, selected Mr. Ross and 
Mr. Blakeley (my competitor), to go before the 
Board and defeat my protest at all hazards. I 
had left the grounds when the Board met and 
the Shortliorn men supposed the field was clear. 
But as I could not be found, my friend, the 
Hon. John Kelley, who is also the vice-president 
of the society, took notes, and after the objec- 
tions were heard, championed the white-face 










^— ■-*^" 



■^■^ 




I 



A •■ROUND-UP" ON TilE KANCE. 



remove tlie same, said display was continued 
throughout the entire showing for sweepstakes 
honors, contrary to all rules, regulations and 
customs governing such exhibitions and may 
have had an influence upon the aforesaid sweep- 
stakes awarding committee. 

"4. That Section 30, of Rules and Regula- 
tions, adopted by your society for the govern- 
ment of sweepstakes, was wholly ignored and 
disregarded by the aforesaid awarding commit- 
tee, which is evidence of their incompetency 
to act as judges upon sweepstakes, or of doing 
willful justice." 

After filing the above protest, I went about 



cause. The ])rotest was sustained, and a new 
committee ordered to be chosen. The Short- 
horn exhibitors ruled off quite a number of 
committeemen, but finally three were selected. 
Two of them I had never seen before. One 
was a city butcher; one an Englishman, who 
had extended experience in England, New Zea- 
land and this country ; the other was an old 
feeder and shipper, and none of the three were 
interested in any breed of cattle. A number 
of the Shorthorn breeders pledged themselves 
not to bring their cattle into the ring again, 
which caused cansiderable delay and excite- 
ment. But the superintendent enforced the 



HISTORY OK II K H H FO H 1) CATTLE 



4?9 



rules and thoy wciv (.oiiiiX'lk'd to l>ring out 
their stock or forfeit their c4ass premiums. 

Wlieii the bulls were led out a dense crowd 
jjathered around them and it was with ditii- 
eulty that the poliee cleared the way. Hon. 
John Kellev and a nunilier of prominent cattle 
men then inspected the display and then sti'j)ped 
aside and cast a vote as to where first and 
second premiums should go. This was done 
secretly before the judges came into the ring. 
Scarcely any time was taken upon the first, 
and the committee was unanimous in favor of 
iii\- bull. The second went to ilr. Hlakclev's 



walked oil' without any interruption, followed 
by a few of their admirers, whose faces looked 
fully two inches longer than the day previous. 
1 am free to acknowledge that this was one of 
the proudest days of my life. Not so much on 
account of this victory, but because I had re- 
sented the insult and wrongs done the dumb 
lirute and had secured for him even-handed 
justice. 

Next came the cows. My three-year-old cow, 
Ella 3d, with a good strong bull calf tugging at 
her, was awarded first; and last, but not least, 
mv wliitel'aced herd was declared the best on 




FAMILIAR SCENE ON THE RANGE, 



Sliorthorn, and the bulls that got first and 
si'cond the previous day got nothing. The 
action of the committee and the outside judges 
were precisely the same, and gave general satis- 
faction. I was completely overwhelmed with 
congratulations, and the little bull was patted 
and stroked by many a man that had never 
seen a Hereford liefore. "Ain't he a good one." 
"He is the best hull I ever saw." ".lust look at 
his back." ''Yes. and his rpiarters, too. He 
comes out I)ehind like a Berkshire pig." "If it 
was not for his horns he would be perfection, 
wouldn't he?" and other like exclamations, 
came froiu all sides. The defeated Shorthonis 



the grounds. The judges wore unanimous in 
all these awards and the bystanders shook their 
hands and congratulated them upon their judg- 
ment. 

1 supposed the battle over and the victory 
won beyond all question ; but in this I was mis- 
taken. The secretary notified nie that the 
Shorthorn men had protested and ordered him 
to withhold my diplomas and premiums; that 
the Hon. Jlr. Ross denied writing the news- 
]>a]ier articles referred to in my protest, etc., 
etc. They then employed a lawyer to manage 
and attend to their case. T then sought the 
Hon. John Kcllcv, Init he had gone home and 



480 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 




THE RANGE OF COL. C. C. SLAUGHTER, 
exas and New Mexico line. 



I was left alone to fight it out as best I could. 
1 could see no reason why I could not make all 
the showing necessary without the aid of a 
lawyer, therefore, I did not employ one. I sus- 
tained every point taken, and the word of the 
editor and old files of the newspaper proved 
that Hon. ]\Ir. Eoss' memory was treacherous, 
to say the least. Judge Little finally proposed 
to withdraw the Shorthorn protest, which was 
urged upon technicalities only, and to sustain 
the first judgment, if I would divide the pre- 
mium money with Mr. Blakeley. To this propo- 
sition, I replied : "It is not the money I am con- 
tending for — thirty dollars is but a trifle — but 
there is a principle involved and underlying 
this matter that I am contending for. I have 
won the awards by fair and impartial judgment 
and I am determined to maintain my rights if 
I have to resort to the Supreme Court to secure 
them." This was a clincher and after another 
half day's parley among themselves, they with- 
drew their protest and the secretary paid me my 
money. A delay of four days was caused Ijy 
these proceedings. W. E. Campbeil. 

Mr. Oam])bell. now of Kiowa, Kansas, was 
then at Caldwell ; he first introduced Short- 
horns, and was known as "Shorthorn Campbell" 



for many years until the merits of the Hereford 
became appreciated by him. After the above 
experience, in true western fashion, to liis 
countless friends and acquaintances he was 
known as "Bald-face Campbell." 

EARLY EXPERIENCE IX VERMONT. 

Cornwall, Vt., May 8, 1882. 

The year that I was twenty, which was thirty- 
eight years ago, I visited with two of our best 
farmers. Corning and Sothanvs herd of Here- 
ford cattle at Albany, N. Y. At the same time 
I saw the Prentice herd of Sliorthorns, and 
have since seen some of the finest herds of 
Shorthorns in the country, but have never seen 
a herd of cattle that so completely filled my 
eye, as Corning and Sotham's Herefords did. 

The two farmers that were with me purchased 
two bulls of Mr. Sotham and I raised a few 
calves from the bulls out of common grade 
cows, and from their calves I had steers the 
fall after they were two years old, on grass 
alone, 1,350 pounds, live weight; dressed, 800 
pounds. 

One spring I purchased two steer calves, half- 
blood, one-vear-old, that had been wintered on 



p _ 



i ? 




HISTORY OF II E R 1^] FORD C! A T T L E 



481 



kiwliind liay. Tlicy were not Uirgv. luid not in 
good condition. I turned tlieni into a pasture 
with M lot of two-year-olds, with no feed except 
the pasture; 1 dressed the following Deeeniher 
(U(i and (i'.i'i pountls, and the finest heef I ever 
tasted. What the live weight would have lieen, 
I do not know. 

A few years after these l)ulls were hrought 
into our town, there was a great Shorthorn 
fever, and hulls of that breed were introduced 
and the Herefords neglected, and I never had 
as fine steers, or saw as fine steers in our town 
of the grade Shorthorn, as there were of the 
Herefords, and 1 have heard several of our best 
farmers make the same remark. 

I had several half-blood cows, some of tliem 
very fine, but now and then would have one 
that would not make good milk cows, but would 
iiuike nice beef. I am, with most of the farmers 
in Addison County, engaged in breeding Merino 
sheep, and at present prices it is for our in- 
terest to devote the most of our energies in 
this direction. But the (Ihamplain Valley in 
our county is as fine grazing for cattle as any 
section iu the country, and I shall be pleased 
to see Herefords again introduced. 

TJK! ehromo of eight premium Herefords 
you wrote of sending me, I have not received; 
shall be j)Iea.sed to receive one. 

Yours trulv, llEXiiV Laxk. 



■Ml!. COUNIXUS NEW YOUK EXPERIENCE. 

The following letter was written to the 
"Breeders" .lournal" : 

Corning Farm, Albanv, X. Y. 
May 15, ISS'i. 
Mr. Editor: 

In your article on Wm. Henry Sotham, Esq., 
1 noticed an assertion upon which I should like 
to throw some light and which I expected Mr. 
Sotham would do in the following May number 
of the "Journal." Paragraph No. 2, second col- 
umn, page 19-1, states: "Recognizing these 
facts the Shorthorn breeders made special 
efforts to detach Jlr. Corning from the Here- 
ford interest and were finally successful." 

To 1)6 sure, they were by their efforts suc- 
cessful in proving to Mr. Corning the superior- 
ity of the Hereford to the Shorthorn. 

Many of Mr. Coming's friends were inter- 
ested in Shorthorns at that time, and when he 
took a fancy to the Herefords, they endeavored 
to detach him from whatever favorable views 
he had of them, but being a very practical gen- 
tlenuin, he resolved to test the merits of the two 
breeds himself, by a trial under conditions he 
knew would be perfectly just and similar to 
both breeds. At that time Mr. Corning owned 
a choice herd of Shorthorns, and these with the 
Herefords were bred from, fed and killed, both 




A SAMPLR OF COI. C. C. SLAUGHTERS IDALLAS. TEX.) LAZY "S" BRAXD, XORTlt TEXAS. 



483 



HISTOEY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



having the same care and treatment. The ani- 
mals were weighed regularly, as was also the 
feed consumed by each. 

Mr. C. and his son, the present Hon. Erastus 
Corning, were so far convinced of the superior- 
ity of the Herefords, that the Shorthorns were 
sold, and the descendants of the same herd of 
Herefords can now be seen on the farm. 

The Herefords in the trial exceeded the 
Shorthorns in the number of pounds gained and 
put the gain in the most desirable portions of 
the animal for market. 

In the forty-two years the Herefords have 
been on the farm, there has never been a Here- 
ford cow but what has given plenty of milk to 
raise her calf, whereas some of the calves of 
the Shorthorn cows would have died of starva- 
tion but for outside help. 

The Corning herd of Herefords are kept in 
breeding condition only and are exhibited in 
that state. 

As prize winners they rank among the high- 
est in the country, having won the New York 
State Agricultural Society's Large Gold Medal 
three times. Lnp. Comus has won seven first 
premiums. Marchioness 2d, Katy, and Victoria 
6th have all won first prizes as cows, when com- 
peting against some very noted herds. 

The demand for Herefords in the last six 
months has been unprecedented. 

While in Colorado some time ago, I asked 
an extensive cattle man what he thought was 
the best breed for beef. "Well, there isn't much 
doubt about that, when a man can get five 
dollars more a head for white-faced steers, from 
Kansas and Illinois buyers, than for any other 
steers, no matter how well-bred we tell them 
they are." James W. Cox, Jr. 

A NEW YORKER ENDORSES MR. BOTH AM. 

Meslina, Orleans Co., N. Y. 
June 5, 1882. 
Mr. Editor : 

The "Breeders' Journal'' of April last was 
put into my hands a few days ago by a friend, 
and while I have not had time to examine it as 
much as I wish, I have read the article upon 
the life and career of my old and valued friend, 
Wm. H. Sotham, as a breeder of Herefords, 
and much of which came under my own knowl- 
edge. It is a truthful history, and his likeness 
recalls to my mind many pleasant memories, 
and I am glad to know that he is yet living 
and sees his favorite breed taking rank where 
he always claimed they would if given anything 
like a fair chance alongside the Shorthorns ; 
many men less resolute than he would have 



succixmbed to the great pressure against him in 
the early introduction of the Herefords. I 
have witnessed many an argument between him 
and the Shorthorn men, besides those wielded 
)jy his able pen. Mr. Remington, of whom you 
speak, is a brother-in-law of mine, and has 
started a small cattle ranch in Holt Co., Ne- 
braska, and purchased a Hereford bull of Eras- 
tus Corning, of Albany. His son, M. C. Rem- 
ington, Jr., is attending to it. I am still of the 
opinion there are no better cattle for the 
shambles or for working oxen than the Here- 
fords, but as beef is now produced so much 
cheaper in the West, we have to resort to other 
branches of farming. I purchased some very 
good animals of Mr. Sotham, one heifer two 
years old, and calf by her side. Woodbine, il- 
lustrated in transactions of the New York State 
Agricultural Society in 1853, took first prize at 
Saratoga. I then sold the late John Merryman, 
of Cockeysville, Md., the first Hereford he ever 
purchased. I last met Mr. Sotham in Detroit 
some four years ago, and through his recom- 
mendation I purchased some Berkshires of Mr. 
Smith, with which I have been very successful, 
carrying off first prize in our state. I should 
like to be informed of Mr. Sotham's address. 
Sincerely yours, H. Bowen. 

SUCCESSFUL IN DAKOTA. 

Mr. T. L. Miller, Beecher, 111. 

Dear Sir : Have intended writing you for a 
considerable time, but between getting in a new 
herd of Minnesota cattle, and putting up our 
hay crop, have had little leisure since the first 
of May. We are now in position to give the 
results of our first year's experience with 
Herefords, and am glad to say it is most satis- 
factory. We used the yearling bulls we bought 
of you in June of last year on a limited number 
of native cows during July and August. Every 
cow they served had a calf last spring aiid all 
are alive and doing splendidly. They all show 
the Hereford blood distinctly — and some of 
them are as well marked as their sires. After 
the season was over, we turned the bulls out 
on the range and let them run all winter. Did 
not stable them or feed any hay or grain. 
They came out this spring— thin in flesh, but 
in good thriving condition, and filled up very 
fast when the new grass came. Altogether, they 
proved themselves a very hardy lot of cattle 
and well adapted to roughing it on the range. 
Have used them on our entire herd this season, 
and if next year's calves prove equal to tliose 
we now have, the Herefords will unquestionably 
have the lead here. All our neighbors conceded 



lll.STOKY OF Jl EKE FORD CATTLE 



483 



to us the best lot of calves to be I'ouiid in this 
section. 

Some parties who have been using Shorthorn 
bulls, are negotiating with us for grade Here- 
ford bull calves. Hoping \ou are enjoying good 
health and the "Highland herd" is flourishing, 
we remain, yours truly, Kennkdy Bros., 

Fort SuUv, D. T. 

Oak Creek Eanch, D. T., Sept. 8, 1882. 

GR^VDE HEREFORD SIRES IN MISSOURI. 

Concord, Mo., Jan. 9, 1883. 
T. \j. Miller, Bceeher, 111.: 

1 wish you would be kind enough to tell mo 
what is the trouble, if any, in the ijreeding of 
niy bull, or rather, I should say, the marking of 
my grade Hereford calves. I have been told 
that he (the bull) puts too much red in their 
faces. Last spring, I had dropped twenty-three 
grade Hereford calves, sired by Eed Cloud 
■.'086 (5538), and out of high-grade Shorthorn 
cows. They (the cows) are all red, some few 
with white spots, and deep red roans. The 
calves are without exception deep reds, witli 
white bellies, w^hite feet, white ends on their 
tails, and white faces back to their ears, with 
a broad red spot over the nose and some of them 
extending up to the eyes, covering one-third of 
the face. They have short legs, broad hips, 
straight lines top and bottom, well sprung ribs 
and deep briskets. In short, everyone was a 
good one, without a runt or dwarf, and to-day 
are fat, living on hay, staying out of doors on 
the prairie. Is the bull at fault? Are the 
spots all right and as they should be? I have 
bred to him for this year fifty choice grade 
cows, and will in a few days have more calves. 
Xow, if the spotted faces are all right, the calves 
are. 

I am a Ilerctord man from honest convictions 
and because I believe the Herefords to be the 
cattle. A hedge fence alone separates my herd 
from a herd of Shorthorns that for pure breed- 
ing and fancy strains of blood stands pre-emi- 
nent in Central Missouri, but as they emerge 
from their warm barn and well-filled boxes, 
showing the kindly attention of an intelligent 
and good master, and in themselves most splen- 
did specimens of a splendid breed, they excite 
not the slightest sense of shame, for the jolly 
little whitefaces, that go scampering away over 
the frozen snow- to the music of the jingling 
icicles that hang to their soft and mellow hides, 
and wlio wouldn't know an ear of corn if they'd 
meet it in the road. Please answer me the 
question of their faces, and oblige. 

Yours trulv, Cepii-vlus Black. 



Note. — The man who buys grade Hereford 
bulls should first convince himself that they 
are by thoroughbred Hereford bulls, and then 
that the form of the calf is good ; and then, if 
the calf has a brockled face, it will not hurt 
him. 

MORE NEW YORK EXPERIENCE. 

Amos Bissell & Son, of Milford, N. Y., 
wrote in October, 1883, as follows: 

On April 13th last, we placed a pair of grade 
Hereford steers in a stall together, and told the 
man who grooms our stallions to see what he 
could make of them. That day they weighed 
3,100 pounds and were so good that two weeks 
later the butchers offered us $143 for them to 
kill. Five months and eleven days later we 
drove them to the village (one mile) and they 
pulled the scale at 3,180 pounds, but had on a 
pine yoke which we think will weigh 35 pounds, 
but is safe at 40 pounds. Thus the cattle gained 
1,050 pounds during that time, or an average 
of 6.44 pounds per day for the pair. Both 
weighings were honest in every particular and 
on the same scales. Age, three years last spring. 
Their daily feed consisted of small potatoes, 
hay, nine quarts wheat middlings, and two 
quarts oil meal. August and September, hay, 
Bassano beets, four quarts of oil meal and 
twelve quarts of middlings. They are now eat- 
ing potatoes and some quantity of grain. We 
hope to grow them a ton during the experiment 
year. 

These steers have no straight breeding in 
them, but are doubtless three-quarters Here- 
ford, as we have much of that blood mixed 
through our dairies. 

By the way, Mr. Geo. Clarke, our neighbor, 
had at one time over 300 pure-bred breeding 
cows of his own importing and breeding — many 
years before you gentlemen at the West adopted 
the breed. 

JIU. FUNKHOUSEE A MISSOURI CONVERT. 

Mr. Jas. A. Funkhouser, of Plattsburgh, Mo., 
writes as follows (1884) : 

In regard to my calves by Dauphin, I will 
say I have eighteen, ten bulls and eight heifers. 
The ten bull calves average weight is 711 
pounds and their average age is 243 days, or 
eight months. The eight heifers' average weight 
is 601 pounds, and their average age is 339 
days. They certainly are a choice lot, in fact, 
the best lot of calves of any lireed I ever saw. 
My Shorthorn friends, even, acknowledge they 
are an extra lot of calves, but claim they would 
be good from such cows by any bull. It occurs 



484 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



to me they are acknowledging just what you 
have been preaching for years, that a Hereford 
bull bred to a Shorthorn cow makes an im- 
]irovement. I am well satisfied with the cross, 
and my only regret is that I did not get the 
Hereford sooner. I have forty-three cows in 
calf to my young bull Invincible, and he has 
proved himself to be a very sure breeder. He 
was two years old October 18, 1883, and weighs 
over 1,300 pounds, after a hard season's work. 
I am very much pleased with him and think 
he will yet be a credit to his breeder. The 
heifer I had of you did not do so well last 
season ; this season she has improved amazingly 
and now I am not ashamed to say she is by 
Dauphin 18th. 

FAVORABLE CALIFORNIA REPORT. 

San Francisco, CaL, Sept. 3, 1884. 
Mr. Editor: 

Last evening I read up what your correspond- 
ents have to say about local Herefords, and 
from experience can say the Hereford has Ijeen 
found the animal par excellence for J^ew Zea- 
land and Australian pastures. After the severe 
cold weather in South of New Zealajid winters 
he will flesh up in half the time it takes the 
Shortliorn on rough outdoor feed. 

In 1883 Mr. R. P. Saxe was sent from this 
city by Mr. A. W. Sisson to select from the 
herd of the New Zealand Stud Company, forty- 
four head of Hereford bulls and heifers. These 
arrived without any loss and were sold here at 
prices from $450 to $T50 per head. 

Every buyer without exception has expressed 
his delight with the stock and especially the 
favorable manner in which they go through the 
winter, compared with the Durham. 

I note in your last number that Mr. A. Gala- 
tin, of Sacramento, who purchased from us, is 
applying for registration of his stock in the 
American Hereford Record. This may be done 
with every assurance of the pedigrees furnished 
by this gentleman being authentic and reliable. 
They were sent to us direct from the stud and 
pedigree company. 

Last year they sent us twenty-five Herefords 
and five Shorthorns. The first-named came 
through by steamer without loss. Of the five 
Durhams two died on the voyage. We sold one 
of the Durhams, "Spring,"" for $400 to Dr. 
, Lillerneranty. He won the blue ribbon with 
him, at the Golden Gate Fair, September, 1884, 
and resold him. I note he is again a winner 
and held at a very high price by the owner. 

The Herefords won prizes at Alameda, Stock- 



ton, Sacramento and San Jose fairs, and were 
sold at an average of $290 per head, and 
sliipped in every direction, from San Diego, in 
the South, to Frazer River in British Columbia, 
in the North. 

From every direction we hear nothing but 
satisfaction. The company have at Auckland 
a herd of 800 pure Herefords. 

I think we can match, if not show a superior 
bull to Success, from our herd. The Hereford 
bull for British Columbia had to foot it inland 
250 miles to reach the run. 

Yours faithfully, Hugh Craig. 

AN OFT-REPEATED OCCURREXCE. 

Illinois State Board of Agriculture, 
Secretary's Office. 
T. L. Miller, Esq., Beecher, III, 

Dear Sir : Yours of the 23d received, and in 
reply will state that it was surely an oversight, 
the omitting to print your specials at the Fat 
Stock Show in the 5,000 edition of the premium 
list, until the whole edition was printed. 

It will appear in nice form in the 5,000 addi- 
tional editions and also in the 2,000 printed 
separate from the State Fair list. 

It occurred in this way: Your offering was 
made at the time tlie Board met in Chicago, and 
w-as pasted in the record book. I knew this, of 
course. All the remaining specials I separated 
and kept in a file by themselves. 

Wlien the printer reached this part of the list 
and wanted copy, I was very busy with my cor- 
respondence and turned the matter over to Mr. 
Mills to arrange, and when prepared I gave 
copy to the printer not thinking but all were 
in. Nor was it discovered, as stated before, 
that you were left out, until the edition was 
printed; was very sorry, of course, but among 
the thousand things to watch, sometimes it will 
happen that an error or an omission will occur. 
Yours trulv, S. D. Fisher. 

Springfield, 111., July 25, 1884. 

IN THE HIGHLANDS OF COLORj\DO. 

Editor "Live Stock Record" : 

In your paper of the 30th inst., I notice that 
Mr. Pryor, the "Shorthorn Stalwart," flings 
broadcast to all Hereford breeders certain ques- 
tions which are so evidently propounded, only 
after deep thought and careful consideration, 
that it is with great hesitation that I venture 
to answer them. Mr. Pryor asks: 

First. "Do you not all find the Shorthorn 
cross indispensable when you wish to get good 
high-grade bulls?" 



II 1 s'i'o i; V OF II K i; k f o i; d c att l i-: 



48.5" 



l>y no means. Fur, altliou^di the .Sliortliorn 
is an uniiiu'stioiialjiy good foundation, uijou 
which to iniikl up a grade herd, 1 eonsiiler that 
(•((ually good re.sults as to form, and superior 
as to color, can he ohtained hy crossing the 
Hereford hull with the Devon or red Sussex 
cows. And I have good reason to thiidx that no 
animal will catch the butcher's eye much 
(|uicker than the grade produce of the Hereford 
and Polled-Angus, or Galloway. Mr. Pryor 
asks : 

Second. "Are not nine-tenths of all your 
i)ulls sold for range purposes from grade Short- 
iiorn cows?" 

Taking as an example my sale of bull calves 
for next spring, a correct notice of which I see 
in your columns, my answer is, certainly not. 

Third. "What proportion of them, if any, 
are from grade Hereford cows?"' 

In the above-mentioned bunch the proportion 
of calves had from grade Herefords cows, 
ranging from first to fourth cross, is somewhat 
in excess of two-thirds. 

Six years ago I was fortunate enougli to buy 
thirty grade Hereford cows and heifers, pre- 
sumably first and second cross. I have since 
bred them to first-class Hereford bulls with 
most satisfactory results. The increase has 
been considerably above the average — the death- 
rate almost nothing. Twenty-six out of the 
thirty original cows will to-day face the tally ; 
and yet these delicate cattle have been obliged 
to "sniff the lireeze and stem the blizzards" at 
an altitude of 8,000 feet, without the assistance 
of either 15 cent cribs of Kansas corn, or suc- 
culent alfalfa. 

I do not wish to enter into the question of 
superiority of herds; so long as my own pud- 
ding finds favor I am satisfied. But when Mr. 
Pryor claims, or rather insinuates that the re- 
sult of a first cross between Herefords and 
Shorthorns produces a better calf than can be 
obtained by inbreeding to third or fourth cross 
Hereford cows, I must respectfully beg to differ 
with him. always supposing the would-be pur- 
chaser to be looking for "Hereford grades." 
Yours truly, 

Theodore Whtte. 

Estes Park. Jan. 4th. 

Mr. Theodore Whyte was a breeder of Here- 
ford cattle, and Mr. Pryor was a breeder of 
Shorthorns in Colorado. 

JIR. Crr.BERTSOX TO ILLINOIS BOARn OF AfiRT- 
CULTVUE. 

Centlemen: Inasmuch as many absurd 
awards were made at our last Fat Stock Show, 



which have caused wide comment among cattle 
men, 1 beg leave to submit the following expres- 
sion of my views, feeling assured, from con- 
versation with many there present, that I speak 
the sentiment of a great majority of breeders, 
feeders, exhibitors, and cattlemen generally, 
independent of affinity for any particular breed 
of cattle. So far as my own exhibit was con- 
cerned, I expected nothing, and consequently 
was not disappointed. 

I have just passed through our sixth Annual 
Fat Stock Show, and I am pleased to say that, 
from year to year, we have continually im- 
proved in the exhibit in the cattle department, 
our last exhibit being adjudged the best ever 
seen together on this continent. I wish the 
same could be said of the judging. This is, 
and ought to be, the Great American Beef 
Show, the result and report of which is heralded 
not only all over this country, but over Europe 
also, hence, the very great importance of having 
just awards made. But how and what are the 
facts in regard to the awards ? I do not believe 
that there is one of you who does not feel deeply 
mortified and ashamed of most of the more 
important awards. The errors were so glaring 
that it would seem no good excuse could be 
made, or one, at least, that would have any 
force in it. This show was created for a school, 
at which all might come to compete and learn. 
Inducements have been held out to make steers 
and prepare and exhibit them — the best beef 
animals to win. We have been promised, from 
year to .year, the best judges obtainable. We 
have never had them (in my opinion). Illinois, 
Indiana, Iowa, Jlissouri, Ohio, Kentucky, Kan- 
sas, Jlinnesota and Canada, have come up here, 
bringing with them their best cattle for judg- 
ment. Has justice been done them? I think 
you will say no. Please pardon me when I say 
to you, in all sincerity, that if, in the future, 
you cannot obtain more competent judges, it 
will not be long before those who have taken 
great pains to make steers, "using both skill 
and patience in preparing their cattle," will 
become completely discouraged and disgusted. 
and the show, and the purposes for which it 
was created, will be pronounced a by-word and 
a mockery. 

In my criticisms of the awards I shall touch 
oidy on a few of the most important ones, fear- 
ing that I may tire your patience. In the first 
day's judging the Shorthorn steer Schooler 
fniik third prize. He was the best two-year-old 
Shorthorn in the show by all odds — a credit to 
llic brce<ler and feeder — bard to beat in any 
ring, and worthy to compete for grand sweep- 



■1«U 



li 1 S T U i; Y F H E K E F U K D C A T T L E 



stak(.'.s. By this award he was barred from cuni- 
jx'ting for the grand sweepstakes. 

Ill the three-year-old Hereford class but two 
animals were shown, to-wit, a cow belonging to 
Fowler & Van Natta, and the steer Hoosier, 
belonging to Adams Earl. The cow took first 
prize, and no one was more surprised than Mr. 
Van Natta himself. The steer Hoosier was 
perhaps the most skillfully fed and fattened 
animal in the show, and the most evenly 
fleshed animal in the show — not a lump as large 
as an almond could be found on him from his 
horns to his hocks. He, likewise, was barred 
from showing for the grand sweepstakes. 

In the three-year-old class for grade Here- 
fords, Benton's Champion took third prize. 
This, of course, barred him from the grand 
sweepstakes prizes. This Benton's Champion 
was such an extraordinary good steer that ilr. 
John D. Gillette publicly said "he was as good, 
if not the best, beef steer he had ever seen." 
Mr. Gillette is perhaps the most noted and suc- 
cessful steer breeder and feeder in the West — 
a man of integrity and rare good judgment. 

But the greatest wrong that was done was the 
awarding the grand sweepstakes carcass prize 
to the steer Clarence Kirklevington. Of all 
the carcasses on exhibition — 30 in all — this 
carcass, with but one exception — was the most 
objectionable of any. After hanging on the 
hooks for two days and nights, the w^eather be- 
ing cool, it was as soft and springy as when first 
killed — its outer coat of fat handling as soft 
and slippery almost as a sponge filled with oil. 
As a proof of what I have said about this, it 
may be interesting to know what became of this 
carcass. I find that the butcher, Mr. John 
Ford, at the special request of the proprietors 
of the Grand Pacific Hotel, bought the carcass ; 
that the carcass weighed some 1,650 pounds; 
that he paid IS^ cents per pound for it — costing 
aliout $200; that he sent about 600 pounds to 
the Grand Pacific Hotel; that the hotel sent 
back to him about 300 pounds; that he got 
about $90 for 300 pounds from the hotel, and 
that Mr. Ford estimated that the loss on the 
carcass would be about $50. If such is the case, 
he could not have realized quite 5 cents per 
pound for the balance, 1,350 pounds. One of 
the proprietors of the hotel said that the meat 
was the worst they ever had in the hotel. And 
this, gentlemen, is the grand sweepstakes car- 
cass for the year 1884. 

The truth is, gentlemen, that Clarence 
Kirklevington as a hcci animal never deserved 
a riljbon of any kind. He was a beautiful 
animal for a picture, groomed and polished to 
the very highest degree, but as a beef animal 



he, to say the least, was a delusion. The 
juilges on carcasses, in 1883, gave the grand 
sweepstakes to a very lean and only about half 
fattened animal. In 1884 the very reverse was 
the ease. 

My opinion is, that no half-fat animal will 
retain its form in cooking. The marbling or 
fat strands, or tissues, not being solidified 
among the lean, will melt out in cooking. The 
fatty part, it is thought, contains most of the 
flavor, hence when cooked out leaves the lean 
minus the flavor. Mr. Kinsley's cook hits the 
nail on the head when he says : ''A beef animal 
is like an apple — 1st, the green stage; 2d, the 
ripe stage, and 3d, the over-ripe stage^when it 
begins to deteriorate." 

Now who is to blame for all this blundering ? 
I am of the opinion that it is mainly charge- 
able to the management. You were very un- 
fortunate in choosing your judges, but when 
you saw their incompetency, which was made 
very apparent the first hour they acted, I think 
it was your bounden duty-^a duty you owed 
to all the exhibitors — to have promptly dis- 
charged them, and substituted other judges. 
Mr. Dysart, in 1881 or 1882, when he was the 
superintendent of the ring, on the first half day 
of the judging, promptly discharged the judges 
when it became apparent that they were not 
competent, and had other judges substituted 
who gave very general satisfaction. 

The only places where you are likely to find 
expert judges of beef is among men who con- 
stantly use none but the choicest of beef, and 
for carcass judges none so good as the men 
who do the cooking and serving up. 

It was reported that all judges who served in 
1883 would be barred from serving in 1884. 
How does the judging of 1884 average with 
that of 1883? In the Polled yearling class 
you allowed a steer to be led into the ring to 
compete for the prize that had been protested 
by about all the cattle exhibitors and expert 
judges on ages, as being one year older than he 
was entered for. I must say that much sur- 
prise and dissatisfaction was manifested on 
account of this action. 

I have from the start taken great interest and 
pride in our fat cattle shows and have made, 
from time to time, many suggestions about ar- 
ranging and making our show and system more 
perfect. I am still with you, but I must say 
that if better judging cannot be had, your sliow 
will lose the confidence and respect it should 
have and the people and exhibitors will lose 
interest in it. 

In what I have said I have tried to state facts 
as they appear to me, and have also tried not to 



II 1 S T U H Y () F 1 1 !•: R lO F R D C A T 1' L E 



AS"* 



give offense to anyone. If I have said anytiiing 
that is not true, 1 sliall he glad to make the 
correction at any time. I have tried to make 
what I have said to you as non-partisan as it 
was possihle to do, and make my meaning un- 
derstood. 

Witli l)est wishes for your hoard, and all that 
it implies, and ho])ing that you may l)e able in 
the future to procure judges of note; whose 
opinions all will respect — judges who, as it 
were, will be blind as to breeds, who can dis- 
tinguish the true line of merit, let it be ever 
so delicately drawn, and will hew to the line, 
then will you have true educators. Then, and 
not till then, will you have fully accomplished 
the purpose for which our fat show was created. 

C. M. CCLBERTSON. 

Chicago, 111, Jan. 8, 1885. 

IOWA HEARD FROM. 

Editor "Breeders' Journal": We are butch- 
ers of eight years' e.\perience, and during that 
time, occasionally getting hold of a grade Here- 
ford, found by comparison with all others, they 
were par excellence as beef cattle, giving a 
larger percentage of the most valuable cuts to 
the l)utcher. We notice also a great difference 
in heft of hides — no small item to us. The 
Hereford's hide is 20 to 30 per cent heavier 
than scrubs or Shorthorns. This, we believe, 
in ])art accounts for their great ability to with- 
stand cold. These facts led us to breeding 
Herefords. About four years ago we com- 
menced quietly saving the best grades we found 
in our business, and two ^ears ago we crossed 
them with a Wilton bull, and one year ago 
we bought four imported cows hard to beat. 
We have a bull calf from one of them, now ten 
months old, that is perfect in form, marking 
and color, and weighs !)50 pounds. This is the 
first thoroughbred dropped to us, and we pride 
ourselves on our commencement. At our 
County Fair last fall, with strong Competition 
in Shorthorns. Holsteins, etc., we took sweep- 
staki's on best cow and got one vote of three on 
a yearling hull, these all being any age or 
breed. Herefords are now booming in Guthrie 
County, where but two years ago Shorthorns 
were all the rage. 

Yours respectfullv, 

D. P. Williams (1I3G0). 

Guthrie Center, Ta., Jan. 28, 1886. 

TEXAS TURNING. 

Afr. Fdifor: T write you a few lines about 
how till' IIcTrfords are doiiii; in this countr\-. 



1 bought two heifers and one bull of T. L. 
Miller and a heifer and bull of Tom C. Pout- 
ing in January. They are very fine and doing 
well. I have six thoroughbred Hereford bulls, 
all in fine condition, and thirty-five little 
wliitefaces that are looking fine, and more to 
come. There is more talk about Herefords this 
season than ever before. At the convention 
of the North Texas Cattle Raisers' Associa- 
tion at Weatherford the hall was beautifully 
decorated. There was a beautiful Texas star, 
just back of the President's stand, with two 
United States flags supported by a point of 
the star on each side. In the center of the 
star — the most appropriate thing that could 
have been placed there — something that was 
.suggestive of what we are striving for : also of 
the best breed of cattle, and the breed that is 
taking the lead and will hold it; the best 
rustler of all fine blooded cattle and next to 
the Texas bullock of any breed that has ever 
been tried in the state — was a beautiful pic- 
ture of T. L. Miller's noted Success bull. Suc- 
cess to the Convention, success to the business, 
and success to the Herefords, as the name of 
the bull indicated. I don't think anything 
more appropriate could have been put in the 
place of the picture, as the name of the bull 
represented all we could ask for. 
Yours truly, 

W. S."Ikard. (P61) 
Henrietta, Tex., Mar. 20, 1886. 

In March, 1887, Mr. Ikard wrote us again as 
follows : 

"Stock have never wintered better so far in 
Texas. There will not be any loss in this part 
of the state to speak of, and from what I can 
learn stock are wintering equally as well all 
over the state. My Herefords are doing very 
well indeed. They are fat enough to butcher, 
and have not been fed any this winter, winter- 
ing as well without feed as any common Texas 
breed of cattle. They are the chief rustlers of 
any fine breed of cattle that I have ever seen, 
and they have certainly proved equal to the 
common Texas bullock as a range animal, rust- 
ling for his own living. There was but little 
raised last season, and no feeding done this 
winter except to work stock." 

MORE FROM TEXAS. 

Mr. Editor : Thinking that you would like 
to hear from this corner of creation I pen these 
few lines. I have, up to date, lost five head of 
the twenty-one cattle that I bought of your 
townsmen and estimable gentlemen, T L. and 



48S 



] I J S T n Y ¥ H E E E F (> K I ) V A T T L !•: 



'i\ K. Miller. 1 have been lireeding Hereiords 
ndw.aixiut nine years, having bought five head, 
three bulls and two, heifers, nine years ago in 
San Antonio, Texas, of Mr. T. E. Miller, and 
can say, not boastingly, but with truth and 
candor, that I think Herefords are the cattle 
for the range. My grades stand it better than 
even the native Spanish cattle. I am a true 
friend to the Herefords, and hope to see them 
universally used as a beef producing animal. 
The people here are taking to the whitefaced 
cattle right along. All seem to want them, but 
the price somewhat scares most of them. They 
are used to buying other and less desirable 
cattle much cheaper, and they are loth to pay 
a good price for a good animal, but it pays 
better to pay a good price for a good animal 
than to get a mean one given to you. I have 
said all 1 can say in their favor, and none too 
much, and I hope to see them crowned king, 
which I don't think will be long now. The 
black Muley, Durham, Devon, and all others 
will have to take a back seat; they cannot shine 
when they come in contact with the Herefords. 
Long may the "Journal" flourish. I am well 
pleased with the pajjer. 

Yours truly. ■ 

F. 0. Skidmore. 
Arkansas, Texas, Mar. 30, 1886. 

TEXAS GETTING HEREFOIiDIZED. 

I have handled H(>reford cattle for two years, 
and have during that time found that when it 
comes to rustling they have not only shown 
the ability to down the Shorthorn and other 
improved breeds of cattle, but they can suc- 
cessfully hold their own with our native Texas 
cattle, which have always been admitted to be 
the rustlers par excellence. 

The winter of 1885 we had five Shorthorn 
bulls at the pen and five Herefords. The Short- 
horns were good average specimens of the 
Shorthorns, the Herefords were four registered 
ones, and a bull from old Success, but cannot 
say if he is recorded. The Diirhams were fed 
oats twice per day with all the cotton seed they 
could eat, the Herefords were fed once a day 
and sometimes not that, for whenever a bulling 
cow would come near the pens the Herefords in- 
variably took out after her and would not return 
for two or three days, but Mr. Durham could 
not be tempted to leave the sunny side of a 
corn crib by a herd of bulling cows whilst a 
norther was blowing, and would always be on 
deck at meal time with unfailing regularity. 

In the following spring the Herefords came 
out fat, strong and hearty and by ilarch 1st 



were out on the range busy as bees. The Dur- 
hams were also turned out, but they were far 
from being fat, in fact they were not even in 
good fix, and later in the season when the 
warm \veather set in, one had no troulile in 
finding out which breed of cattle, the Durham 
or Hereford, could stand the heat best, as the 
former sought the most shady places in the 
pasture, and stayed there; but the Herefords 
kept on chasing cows all over the range, and 
seemed to mind the heat but little, and they 
just got aliout TO per cent of the calves gotten. 
Last week I brought these same bulls home for 
the winter, and the Herefords, after an un- 
usually hard summer's work, look first rate, the 
Success bull Joe being as fat as the steers are 
on the same range (and cattle are in fine shape 
here at this time) whilst the Durhams look 
like a good many bushels of "4 bit" oats will 
have to be pumped into them before they wall 
be in half the shape the Herefords are now. I 
would like some admirer of Durham cattle as 
range cattle to notice the vast difference there 
is in the grade Hereford and the grade Short- 
horn calf raised on the range, and if that don't 
convince him of the superiority of the Here- 
ford I don't know what will. 

The range raised Hereford calf of seven 
months is a big lusty fellow, with a beautiful 
red body and white face, whose sole object 
seems to be how big he can grow and how fat 
he can keep, and he "gets there," too, whilst 
the grass raised Durham is a long haired, miser- 
able looking fellow, who grows, too, but mostly 
in length of leg and poorness, and who doesn't 
confine himself to the red color of his aristo- 
cratic Kentucky sire, but mostly catches on to 
the plebeian brindle, black or yellow of his 
Spanish mother, and it is from her that he 
inherits what few good qualities he has. 

The day is coming when Texas will send 
out many a train load of whitefaced steers, 
as Texas is a grass country from way back, and . 
all that a Hereford wants is a trial and plenty 
of grass. Given these, he will be sure to please. 
This section is fast getting Herefordized, but 
it will take time, as there are lots of Durham 
cattle here whose owners are going to "wait and 
see." Yours, A. M. White. 

Woodward's Eancb, Milam Co., Tex., Oct. 29, 
1886. 

EARLY STRUGGLES IN NEAV ENGLAND. 

Mr. Editor: In accordance with your ex- 
pressed wish, I send you a short article upon 
that — to us — Important topic, "Herefords in 
New England." But first allow me to ask the 
leniency of vour readers for so brief an article 



H 1 S T R Y F H E K E F II L) C A T T L E 



489 



on so important a suliject on account of long 
continued ill-health. As perhaps very few of 
your readers are aware, I will say the second, 
and hy far the most important importation of 
Hereford cattle into tlie Uniti'd States was 
made by Sanford Howard for the Vaughn 
Bros., of Hallowell, Jlaine, in 1<S3(). The first 
heing imported by Henry Clay into Kentucky 
in ISIT. Tlie Vaughn Herefords were a 
splendid lot of cattle, and were kept on the 
farm since and now owned by Hon. J. R. Bod- 
well and occupied by Burleigh and Bodwell for 
((uarantine and sale purposes. These cattle, 
like the -next importations into Massachusetts, 
Sothani & Corning, Albany, X. Y., and Capt. 
I'endleton, of Scarsjwrt, Me., in 1841, all met 
terrible oppositipn by Shorthorn men, of which 
your humble scribe was one. Xover in the hi.-^- 
tory of any state did the worthy "red with 
white faces" have stronger opposition than in 
tile Dirigo State. But wlien we look back and 
see the Shorthorn blood they had to contend 
with — the best in tiie known world — such bulls 
as Young Denton, Comet, Fitz Favorite, arid 
a host of others which stood within three miles 
of my door in the great grass valley of the 
Kennebec, you will admit with me the white 
faced pilgrims had a hard, nay, an unequal 
battle to fight. It seemed almost like march- 
ing a little army of untrained volunteers 
against a mighty host of veterans strongly en- 
trenched liehind fortific-ations of years in build- 
ing. But what a mighty change has been 
wrought in a half century and less. A few men 
had courage to try the Herefords ; anujng them 
was Mr. Joseph Underwood, of Fayette, Me., 
and Wingate Hains, of Hallowell. Me. The 
former's enterprising sons, (J. and G. Under- 
wood, still are breeding a large fine herd, and 
it is a treat to a Hereford nmn to sit before the 
open wood-tire on a winter evening at tluir 
hospitable home and listen as they relate their 
earliest e.\])ericnce (as boys) with Hereford 
steers. I advise no Western breeder, who visits 
Maine, to miss a call on the Messrs. Underwood. 
It was not until lS.i4 that any stockman 
had courage to take a TTerefnrd bull upon the 
sacred soil of my native town (Fairfield), as 
Shorthorns had held full and undoulited sway 
there. But Henry T^awrence, who, by the way, 
was a great .judge of cattle as well as his uncle, 
conceived the idea of l)uying the old Pe'ndleton 
(Hereford) luiJl Kinirne, then (ifteen years old. 
(Juite a number of the best stockmen patronized 
him largely because they bad great faill: in ^fr. 
Lawrence's judgment, not from the appearance 
of the bull, for the poor old fellow had had 
rough usage since he left his hom-.' near Car- 



diff, South Wales. Tiiis poor old bull was used 
one season and died, but his progeny were not 
prepossessing in appearance at a tender age, 
say up to two years old, yet their feeding qual- 
ities and net weight was the means of convert- 
ing many a ''shorthorner,"' of which number 
the writer of this article was one. 

As I said, less than fifty years has made a 
wonderful change- in the cattle interests, and 
the appearance and breeds in New England. 
Thirty years ago you would hardly see a Here- 
ford at any show except the old Kennebec; 
not one at our State Fair ; all were Shorthorns. 
But if you will go with me to the New lilngland, 
or the Maine State Fair, during the month of 
September, 1886, I will show you nearly 300 of 
the finest steers ever seen in any country, and 
more than seven-eighths of the number will 
show the unmistakable evidence of the well-bred 
Hereford. Yes, they will be there, and well 
did a certain agricultural writer say of them 
last year: "It was a sight worth seeing, and 
long to be remembered." There will be whole 
teams of steers there, and some heifers, that 
will weigh a ton apiece. What has wrought this 
change? Necessity is the mother of invention. 
So, also, competition compels us to look to 
"cost of production and value of products." 
Western competition has driven us to give up 
Shorthorn cattle and take a breed that we can 
produce five pounds of choice market beef from 
as cheaply as we could four pounds with Short- 
horns, and not only the difference in the 
amount, but the finished Hereford will com- 
mand nearly or quite a dollar per hundred 
more in the market. 

Y"es, the Battle of the Breeds, so far as the 
Shorthorn is concerned in the East, is forever 
settled. Although so strongly entrenched be- 
hind seemingly impregnable fortifications, and 
fighting to the death, their flag is shot away, 
their munitions of war are expended and what 
was once a little insignificant squad of red with 
white faces, have become an overwhelming host, 
and New England is agriculturally saved. She 
need not be dependent on any section of our 
country for beef. But I would not have your 
readers think that the Herefords have no ene- 
mies, or the Shorthorns no friends, even in Nev/ 
7*]ngland, in proof of which I will cite you to 
the fact that at the great agricultural show to 
be held i)y the New ]\Iassachusetts Society at 
Boston, in ()cfol)er, there is offered a special 
prize by the State Board of $1".3.") for the best 
Shorthorn hei-d, but nothing for a Hereford 
herd, and this, notwithstanding there is more 
than four times the value in pure-bred Here- 
ford cattle in XewEngland.that there is in pure 



490 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Shorthorns. The fight for supremacy will go 
on in the West and Southwest, and while the 
backbone of the Shorthorns is broken there will 
be a new rival come up, and it will be a rival 
worthy of your steel. Don't ignore the Sussex, 
you will find a harder foe than the Shorthorns, 
or I am very much mistaken upon a three and 
a half years' acquaintance. 

In 1856, although a strong and ardent ad- 
mirer of Shorthorns, which breed of cattle I 
had bred, handled and fattened from boyhood, 
I happened by mere chance to olitain some of 
Kiniroe's stock, i. e., steers of his get, others 
by sons of him. They fed so rapidly, weighed 
so heavily and were of such wonderful quality 
I could hardly believe that my vision was quite 
right. After being thoroughly convinced of the 
fact that my sight was all right, then I thought 
I would decide to go largely into Herefords, 
when, ever and anon, my long-cherished idea 
of the perfect animal — the Shorthorn — would 
cause me for a time to delay my purpose; but 
not long. I started to breeding Herefords in 
earnest — after feeding Hereford steers about 
eight years — in 1866. In 1868 I bought the en- 
tire Hillhurst herd of Herefords, of Hon. ^I. 
H. Cochrane, the advent of which marked a 
new era in live stock industry in New England. 
At the head of this herd was the bull Compton 
Lad (3764) 1327, which for quality, style and 
general make-up, was never surpassed. Showing 
this bull with the herd at all principal fairs 
from the eastern borders of Xew England to 
Pennsylvania, where he won seventy-four prizes, 
including gold and silver medals, out of seventy- 
five prizes competed for, and seventeen of these 
against all breeds, and which was the means 
of making a host of friends for the Herefords. 
The march of improvement has been onward. 
Of the 840 head of stock imported by our firm 
— Burleigh & Bodwell — too many have been al- 
lowed to go West for the interest of New Eng- 
land, yet, the showing here is to be viewed with 
pride by the friends of the great and cheap pro- 
ducing race of cattle. 

The sale of Hereford bulls to the resident 
stockmen for the year 1886 has been very fair 
considering it is an off year, and as the years 
roll on, following each other with rapid flight, 
so will the panting and puffing engine steed 
with fire and steam bearing their heavy loads of 
noble bovine beauties, with the unmistakable 
signs which the Hereford never fails to impress 
upon his progeny, to the great manufacturing 
centers, to the joy and satisfaction of the con- 
sumer, and profit and pleasure of the producer. 
Yours truly, H. C. Burleigh. 

Vassalboro, Maine, September, 1886. 



A CHICAGO BUTCHER S TESTIMONY. 

About the first of October (1886) Messrs. 
Fowler & Van Natta, the well known Hereford 
breeders of Fowler, Indiana, sent to the Chi- 
. cago market a car load of yearling half-blood 
Hereford heifers, that averaged 885 pounds in 
the yards. They were purc-hased and slaugh- 
tered bv Mr. P. Mehan, for his meat market at 
No. 2911 South Park Ave., Chicago. After 
disposing of the meat of these heifers, Mr. 
Mehan wrote the following letter: 

Chicago, Nov. 1, 1886. 
]\Ie.sshs. Fowler & Van Natta, 
Fowler, Ind. 
Gentlemen: In regard to the twenty-five 
Hereford heifers, bought of you for my market, 
I wish to say that those heifers killed the best 
of any cattle I ever slaughtered, and gave the 
best satisfaction both to myself and customers. 
They carried their weight on their backs, where 
it is most valuable, and dressed a larger pro- 
portion of high-priced meat than any other cat- 
tle I ever used. Y'ours truly, 

P. Mehan. 



These twenty-five heifers were raised on grass 
and went direct from the pastures to the sham- 
bles. The above letter, coming as it does from 
a practical butcher, doing business in the city 
of Chicago, is valuable testimony for the Here- 
fords. About this time a correspondent of the 
"Breeders' Gazette" had asserted that the Short- 
horns were the best cattle, because they carried 
a larger proportion of first-class meat than the 
Herefords. Mr. Mehan says these half-l>lood 
Hereford steers raised on grass, "carried their 
weight on their backs, where it is most valuable, 
and dressed a larger proportion of high-jn'iced 
meat than any other cattle I ever used." 

Messrs. Fowler & A^an Natta with their 
large herd of thoroughbred Herefords have 
shown great enterprise in pushing the Ijreed to 
the front, that cannot be too highly commended. 
They went to large expense in fitting cattle for 
show purposes, and have carried off many prizes 
at the large Fairs and Fat Stock Shows, in- 
cluding the champion herd prize at the Illinois 
State Fair three years in succession, and several 
times they exhibited the grand sweepstakes 
steer at the Chicago Fat Stock Show. The ex- 
ample they have set of making steers of their 
grade bulls and spaying their grade heifers, 
and putting them' in the market, was followed 
by many more of our large breeders. If con- 
sumers once get accustomed to the Hereford 



11 1 S T O U Y O F 11 E K E E U D C A T T L E 



491 



beef they ".vill buy no other, and the only way 
to get them aeeustonied to it is for all the 
breeders to do as M-essrs. Fowler & Van Natta 
did — send their grades to market. 

OLD BLOOD IX VEKJIOXT. 

We make tlie i'ollowing extraet from a letter 
reeeived in 188'^', from Mr. Henry Lane, of 
Cornwall, Vt. : "I saw at Mr. 0. 8. Bliss', of 
(ieorgia, in this state, a very fine oil chronio 
of Here fords, whieh jjleases me. Thirty-eight 
years ago 1 went with two of my townsmen to 
All)any, N. Y., to see Corning & Sotham's herd 
of Herefords, and we purehased two bulls that 
were brought into this town and the stoek from 
them made the finest beef cattle we have ever 
had." 

Commenting on this letter in the "Breeders' 
Journal" (p. 392, 1882) : 

We take pleasure in calling attention to this 
testimony, as showing that the work of Mr. 
Sothani forty years ago comes to us to aid in 
our work. There is no way in which Vermont 
and Xew England farmers can advance the 
fanning interest of those states so well as by the 
introduction of Hereford cattle." Two years 
a>ro we sold a bull and some heifers to go to 
Mr. 11. (). McKnight, of Locust Hill, Penn. 
Mr. McKnight, after two years and six months' 
experience, returned here last week and bought 
of the T. L. Miller Co., the Hereford cow, 
Hani]iton Olive 3d, and a Hereford bull calf 
frnm British Lady, the mother of T. L. Miller's 
heifer I'rairie Flower. Jlr. JIcKnight's experi- 
ence has given him the fullest confidence in the 
Herefords as a good butter dairy cow and beef 
breed. The bull purchased by Mr. McKnight 
in 1879, was by Success, and has provecl a 
iluplicate of the old bull. His purchase now 
is a young bull by Winter de Cote; it will be 
rccoliected that Winter de Cote was bred by 
ilrs. S. Edwards, and is a brother of the cele- 
l)rated Hereford cow Leonora. The cow Hamp- 
ton Olive was bred by J. H. Arkwright, of 
Hampton Court, Leominster, England, and im- 
ported by the T. L. Miller Co. in 1880. The 
price paid for the cow and calf was $900. 
'I'his gives Mr. McKnight a herd of some twelve 
females, all thoroughbred and very choice ani- 
mals. Besides these he has a large number of 
grades, among them yearling steers weighing 
nbout 1.000 pounds. We call attention here to 
^Ir. JfcK night's experience, showing, in con- 
nection with our extract from our Vermont cor- 
n-spondent, what farnuTs in an ordinary prac- 
tice of dairv and stock business can do. 



Vermont can breed Hereford grades, making 
a very good butter cow of the heifers, while 
the steers will sell to the butcher at from twelve 
to eighteen months old at $75 or more. Men 
who, like Mr. Lane, have had an old-time ex- 
perience with Herefords, will recognize the cor- 
rectness of our predictions. The grade steers 
that we have now, 24 months old, would sell 
in Chicago for $100 per head. 

KANSAS IX EARNEST. 

Editor "Journal" : 

1 had my white faces at the Wichita, Kansas, 
fair again this year and "downed the Short- 
horns" worse than ever. The Shorthorn breed- 
ers made their usual amount of "wind pudding" 
and abused the white faces as usual, but to no 
purpose. They wanted to show for "big money" 
they said; so I proposed to show "The E(jui- 
nox" against any Shorthorn bull they could 
bring against him at any time during the week 
for $1,000 cash, and if they wished they could 
increase it to $5,000, and I would put up $1,000 
forfeit just to accommodate them and put the 
ball in motion, but these "high-toned" gentle- 
men preferred eating their own words rather 
than losing their money and meeting inevitable 
defeat. The following clipping gives what 
stock I had there: 

"Mr. W. E. Campbell, of Caldwell, Kan., had 
on exhibition fifteen head of his famous Here- 
fords, among which was noticed the bull Equi- 
nox, No. 2758, weighing 1,930 pounds, two 
years old. Mr. C. values this animal at $1,500, 
which he has refused. Among his exhibit was 
the Duke of Rosewood, the Queen of the Lillies 
by Prince Eoyal, Ella 3d, JEernuiid, Jessamine 
by Miller's Success, Empress by Emperor, all of 
wliich are two years old. The yearling. Third 
Duchess of Somerset, by Emperor, was also 
among the collection. Mr. Campbell has over 
0,000 head of stoek on the range in southern 
Kansas and the Indian Territory. Mr. Camp- 
bell offered to show his bull Equinox for a 
grand special sweepstakes prize of $1,000 cash, 
open to exhibitors of both fair associations, but 
the offer was not accepted." 

And the following from the "Caldwell Com- 
mercial" of September 14, 1882 : 

"Our friend, W. E. Campbell, the. great Here- 
ford and Shorthorn breeder of Sumner County, 
better known as Shorthorn Campbell — to dis- 
tinguish him from tlu' numennis other Canip- 
liells, imported nearly or remotely from the land 
of oaten cakes — visited both fairs with his 
Herefords, and we are pleased to state, captured 
the class premiums and carried off the sweep- 



■i95j 



HISTORY OF HEEEFORD CATTLE 



stakes for the best thoroughbred herd, the best 
bull of any age or breed, and the grand $100 
sweepstakes for the best bull of beef breeds, 
against all competition at both fairs. 

"In this triumph Mr. Campbell laid out C. A. 
Betz's Shorthorn prize bull, which had never 
been beaten before, and had been ruled out of 
competition of other associations, because of its 
supposed overpowering superiority to all ani- 
mals of that class." 



I have just bought two more ranches, cattle 
ranges, etc., and have not time to write more. 
Eespectfullj yours, 

W. E. Campbell. 
Caldwell, Kan., Sept. 27, 1882. 

P. S. — "The Equinox" was never stabled 
twenty-four hours all summer, but ran in the 
pasture with the cows the entire season and was 
only stabled nights. 




E. S. SHOCKEY, 
Kansas City. Mo. 
Mr. Miller's assistant in the establishment of the 
Ireeders' Journal," and later of the firm of Shockey & 



1 1 I S 'I' () I{ V () I' II i<; R ]'] F () K D ( ; A T T L K 



493 



CHAPTER XTJ. 

The Hereford Versus Shorthorn — Mr. Miller Re-States 
His Position 



As wp hare had considerable to say about 
the methods used by Shorthorn men in Amer- 
ica to hold their cattle in the position that 
they claimed for their Ijreed, before the Here- 
ford came into the arena demanding a fair field 
and no favors, we considerately put what we 
have further to say on this subject at the end 
of the History. 

In the times of our great activity in the 
Hereford cause we received a letter from an old 
ex-editor, who says: ''I regret that the fight 
between the Shorthorns and Herefords has 
assumed a personal and bitter character, which 
is so damaging to the breeders taking part in 
it. The press may gain somewhat from the in- 
terest thus excited, but is not the sacrifice of 
individuals too great and in a great measure 
unnecessary ? If I ever take up the cause of 
any breed of stock, it will be to advocate its 
merits, and not to expose the demerits of their 
opponents. I regret that you have become per- 
• sonally the object of such bitter attack, but at 
the same time, know of no one who could more 
successfully ward off the blows." 

In reply to the remarks of our ex-editor, we 
contended that an erroneous situation had been 
fraudulently established by the Shorthorn in- 
terest. 

To meet the claims and the demands of the 
Sliorthorn advocates, we went back in history 
one hundred years, and brought up their rec- 
ord. This record shows that Youatt's History 
of Britisli Cattle was fraiidulent, in that it 
suppressed facts detrimental to Shorthorns and 
favorable to Herefords. We brought out the 
record showing the organization and manage- 
ment of the agricultural fairs to have been in 
the interest of the Shorthorn breeders. We 
showed that the advocates of the Shorthorns 
used Youatt's History of British Cattle and the 
awards rendered at the Agricultural Societies 
to support their claims. We charged that the 
press supported the Shorthorn breed on the 
evidence thus produced by the Shorthorn man- 



agers. We brought forward the record of the 
Herefords, and this record placed them in the 
lead of all other breeds as beef producers. The 
course we have taken has not been based on our 
own opinion simply, but upon recorded facts, 
tests and experiments, that are accessible to the 
Shorthorn advocates as well as to ourselves. 
These Shorthorn advocates have never met the 
facts, but have resorted to personal abuse, hop- 
ing thereby to mislead the bullock breeders, 
and by so doing retain their position. 

In years past the press accepted Youatt's 
History of British Cattle as authority; they 
accepted the awards rendered at the agricul- 
tural societies in this country and England as 
fairly made and rendered; and basing their 
actions on these facts, gave their support to 
the breeders of Shorthorn cattle, as did their 
predecessors and those especially interested in 
Shorthorns. We claim that the facts we pre- 
sented were entitled to the attention and ex- 
amination of said press, and that those failing 
to give this attention and examination are, or 
were, parties to the fraud that has been handed 
down to them from their predecessors. 

The press occupies another and more import- 
ant relation to this question. They are bound 
to know whether these facts are true; they are 
bound to investigate; they are bound to give 
the results of this investigation to their readers, 
if they would act in good faith. They claim 
to be disinterested, to have no interest in any 
lireed, and they ask their readers to believe not 
only what they say is true, but the}' ask their 
readers also to believe that they are intelligent 
and well-informed on these subjects. Failing 
in this investigation and examination, they per- 
petuate the fraud that has been handed down 
to them. We are now prepared to ask, by what 
terms should the acts of these Shorthorn advo- 
cates and these editors, be characterized ? We 
believe that it is fraudulent to present issues 
that have no foundation in merit or fact; we 
believe that the editor is bound to know the 



494 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



facts. They assume to be teachers and guides, 
and taking this j^osition and proving false to 
the responsibility, they should be held account- 
able. Our friend says if he "were to take up 
the cause of any breed he should advocate their 
merits, and not expose the demerits of other 
breeds." We should like to know by what stan- 
dard he would lueasure the merits of his own, 
unless he compared them with others. 

In entering upon the breeding of beef cattle, 
we found the Shorthorns the dominant and 
accepted breed for that purpose, in this country. 
We appeared before our state agricultural so- 
cieties and placed the Herefords beside the 
Shorthorns ; we asked our societies to pass upon 
the merits of the breeds as represented Ijy those 
upon exhibition. The question, then, was 
opened, as a matter of course, as to the com- 
parative merits of Herefords and Shorthorns; 
from this point the discussion was continued. 
Our State Society discriminated in favor of 
Shorthorns by giving them larger premiums, 
and thus, by inference, declaring to the world 
that they were the better cattle. They sub- 
mitted the question of merit between the breeds 
to men selected from or by the Shorthorn breed- 
ers to act as judges. The question then as to 
the merits and demerits of breeds was here open- 
ed ; we had to accept of it, and when they claim- 
ed a half century's acceptance of their cattle as 
evidence of merit over the Herefords, it compell- 
ed us to go back of the merits of the individuals 
as they stood upon the show grounds and in- 
quire as to the methods by which the Short- 
horns had obtained their endorsements. We 
have placed the result of these examinations 
before our readers and the world. On these 
facts w-e appealed to the cattle raisers of Amer- 
ica and the verdict has been reversed; the 
Herefords are now accepted as the best and 
have taken the place among the cattle breeders 
of the country to which their merits always 
entitled them. Such a revelation could hardly 
be accepted without more or less bitter feeling; 
it was to be expected that the Shorthorn breed- 
ers and advocates, with their associates, certain 
editors of live stock journals, finding the facts 
against them, should resort to vindictive and 
bitter personal attacks to cover the weakness 
of their position. 

Presenting a breed of cattle, as we have, 
claiming an advantage on the score of economy 
and value of product over this dominant Short- 
horn breed, we were compelled to show wherein 
this value consisted, and the weakness of tJie 
Shorthorn claims. All we asked was a full and 
fair investigation into the claims and facts that 
we presented ; if they had not merit, then we 



were not entitled to the verdict; if they had, 
we expected the Herefords to find acceptance 
and we exjiected to have that position as an 
advocate of these claims that belongs to us. 

So influential was the opposition that a few 
contemporary Hereford breeders, actuated by 
jealousy, were prevailed upon to^cravenly criti- 
cize our methods and to belittle our work ; 
while at the same time taking every possible 
advantage of what we had done almost single- 
handed. The opposition called us a "kicker," 
knowing full well, that only a persistent and 
consistent "kicker" could make the slightest 
1 lead way against their adverse and perverse 
machinations. 

On account of our activity, this fight became 
for a time a personal one upon the writer. Hav- 
ing control of the shows our opponents made 
our retirement from the show ring imperative. 
Other Hereford breeders might get a semblance 
of justice, but we could not. Having estab- 
lished an agricultural journal in which our 
Hereford writings would not be garbled and 
misrepresented, the opposition press was forced, 
as it were, to gnash their teeth in their im- 
potent rage and vent their spleen in personal 
abuse of us. 

At this writing (1898) history appears to 
be repeating itself in the case of the leading 
Hereford advocate. Let Hereford breeders be- 
ware, that they play not into the hands of their 
opponents by a failure at all times to recognize 
and publicly acknowledge the value of the work 
of those who have fought and of those who still 
honestly, openly and courageously fight the bat- 
tles of their breed. 

With this word of warning brought forth of 
much experience, and having given our reasons 
for engaging in the unpleasant task of contro- 
verting the position assumed by the Shorthorns, 
we will reproduce what was said at the time 
in the "Breeders' Journal," in regard to the 
court before which the adverse claims were 
brought. 

We will consider our Illinois State Board of 
Agriculture. Has it been of a partisan character 
in the past? Has it been run in the Shorlhorn 
interest? We answer these questions again in 
the affirmative, and will bring more proof to 
sustain our jjosition from the records of the 
society. 

Up to and including 1870, excepting a few 
Devons, there were no breeds to dispute the 
superiority of the Shorthorns. The question as 
to partial judgnxents was confined to the breed- 
ers of the different families of Shorthorns. We 
find that Mr. A. B. McConnell, in his inaugural 
address as president (18G5), says that "the so- 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



495 



cit'ty has now entered its thirteenth year, and 
its advaneenient has been, and is now, a higli 
soureu of gralilieatioii to its projectors; but 
since the organization of the society, each suc- 
cessive executive committee have failed in get- 
ting full reports from the awarding coninnt- 
tees. The simple fact published to the world 
that a certain animal, article or implement has 
received the first prize of the society, is shorn 
of half the value to the public, unless the rea- 
sons for the award are given by the awarding 
committee, fully setting forth its merits and 
the reasons for the award. If some plan can 
be devised by which full reports can be 
received from all the awarding committees, 
1 am satisfied it will add very much to the value 
and usefulness of our annual exhibitions, and 
also to the transactions of the society." Dr. 
William Kile, on assuming the presidential 
chair (ISfii)), after referring to the great suc- 
cess the society had met with since its organiza- 
tion, says: "We should not forget that every 
citizen, of himself or by his representative, has 
the undoubted right to call in question the wis- 
dom of an}' line of policy we may adopt, and 
to criticize freely every act we perform. On 
all questions, therefore, which admit of argu- 
ment and diverse views, and especially every- 
thing which affects seriously any interest coiji- 
niitted to our fostering care, let us continue 
to be circumspect and to act so that every step 
we .shall take shall commend itself to the sound, 
reflecting judgment of all. As your presiding 
officer, and as a member who has been identi- 
fied with the society from its origin, I beg leave 
to call your attention to the following points : 
You are aware of the great and delicate duty 
performed by the awarding committees at our 
fairs, and have found that a full attendance of 
those (the judges) originally appointed by the 
Board is rarely secured. I have thought that 
perhaps the system practiced in Indiana, of 
paying committeemen by the day for their 
services, would be attended with good results, 
and respectfully ask that you will take the mat- 
ter under consideration." 

We would call attention especially to this 
recommendation of President Kile. We for 
many years urged, and in this were joined by 
all the more conservative and painstaking mem- 
bers and exhibitors, that the procuring of com- 
petent judges should be by selecting experts 
and paying for their services. The objection 
given was the extra eo.st of such judges. We 
shall discuss this further on. 

At the fair held in 1871, Mr. Wm. W. Al- 
drich, of Ohio, appeared on the show ground 
with a herd of Hereford cattle, and in compe- 



tition with Shorthorns on the same premium 
list. But besides class premiums, there were 
otfered for herd and sweepstakes $825, for 
which the Herefords had a right to compete, 
but must compete under judges in the Short- 
horn interest, and often composed of leading 
Shorthorn breeders, making their awards a dis- 
crimination in favor of Shorthorns. 

President D. A. Brown, in his inaugural ad- 
dress that year, says : "The state, gentlemen, has 
confided the management of its institutions 
to our peculiar care, and I feel bound by the 
trust reposed in me to recommend for your 
consideration the adoption of such rules for the 
regulation of our exhibitions as will give to 
them that high moral character their import- 
ance demands." 

We have quoted from Presidents McConnell, 
Kile and Brown, showing that they realized the 
responsibilities in assuming the management of 
the state's agricultural interest, and that they 
were under obligations to so manage and direct 
the operations of the State Agricultural Shows 
as to bring forward the best, and see that such 
awards were made as would command the re- 
spect and confidence of the world. At this 
time, 1871, a new act of incorporation was had 
from the legislature of Illinois, creating a de- 
partment of agriculture, the objects of which 
shoidd be the promotion of agriculture, horti- 
culture, manufactures and domestic arts. See 
"Transactions, of the Illinois Department of 
Agriculture, 1872." 

In 1872, Messrs. Miller & Powell were ex- 
hibitors of Herefords under the same classi- 
fication as in 1871. One of the awarding 
committees in sweepstakes that year -was com- 
posed of John M. Milliken, of Ohio; John H. 
Bacon, of Iowa; William M. Smith, of Mc- 
Lean Co., 111. ; J. H. Reese, of Warren Co., 
and H. Russell, of Marion Co. ; a suitable com- 
mittee to pass upon Shorthorns, a majority of 
them being among the prominent and leading 
Shorthorn breeders of the States. 

At the reorganization of the society in Janu- 
ary, 1873, under the new constitution, a newly 
elected president, the Hon. John P. Reraolds, 
in his introductory address, reviewed the his- 
tory of the old society in its twenty years' ex- 
perience, calling the attention of the new Board 
to what had already been done and the responsi- 
bilities that rested upon them for the future; 
and reminded them that the Board is placed 
in sole charge of the agricultural department 
of the state, and for the establishment of 
county agricultural boards, and that whatever 
the state might do will be entrusted to, or en- 
joined as a duty upon, this Board. While recog- 



49G 



H I S T () n Y F HER E F () K L) C A T T L E 



iiizing thf (lilliciilty surnjumliiig thu appoint- 
ment of awarding committees, and prescribing 
rules to govern their action while serving as 
such, he respectfully referred the subject to the 
careful consideration of the Board, when revis- 
ing their list of premiums in the live stock de- 
partment. 

The published premium list shows that the 
Board increased the premiums on Shorthorn 
heifers and cows 27^ per cent, leaving the Here- 
ford classification as before. The awarding 
committees on herd and sweepstakes premiums 
were so composed that Herefords had no con- 
sideration at their hands. A member of one of 
these committees said that a majority of the 
committee would . not consider the Herefords. 

In 1874, Shorthorns and Herefords, in class 
premiums, exhibited on an even classification 
as to premiums. 

At the organization of the Board in January, 
1875, Mr. D. B. Gillham, president, in his in- 
augural address, on assuming the duties of the 
office, says : "It is a noteworthy fact that from 
the magnitude of the exhibitions of the Short- 
horn element in class A, Cattle Department, 
and the peculiar circumstances surrounding it, 
the general participation by the people in it, 
and the interest manifested by all, that our 
present system of selecting awarding commit- 
tees fails to render the satisfaction so desirable 
by the Board, to either their exhibitors or the 
public. It may be well to effect some change 
in regard to that department. In calling your 
attention to the matter, gentlemen, I will leave 
you to suggest the plan and to act in the prem- 
ises as your better judgment may direct." The 
records show that at this fair the Board had ad- 
vanced the class premiums on Shorthorns about 
70 per cent, and reduced the Herefords some- 
thing like 15 per cent. 

For the fair of 1876, the Board reduced the 
class premiums for Shorthorns to the same 
amount as in 1874, taking off tlic increase of 
70 per cent made in 1875, still leaving the 
Herefords with their reduction of 15 per cent, 
or 50 per cent less than the Shorthorns. Hav- 
ing been subject up to this time to the decisions 
of Shorthorn judges in the herd and sweep- 
stakes com]3etition, we made a special effort to 
have this feature of the awarding committees 
corrected and to this end we made a special 
application to President Gillham, that the 
awarding committees for this competition 
should be selected from impartial and intelli- 
gent men. We also made a special request of 
President Scott to the same end. Our right 
to such committees was freely conceded. Mr. 
W. J. jSTeely, who was the superintendent of the 



cattle department, was also appealed to, and 
his first committee was five Shorthorn men, 
composed of James Mix, H. M. Wiuslow, of 
Kankakee; J. R. Shaver, of Ottawa; John 
Brown, of Galena, and J. L. Moore, of Polo. 
Protesting informally, Mr. Neely undertook 
(according to his statement) to get an im- 
partial committee and professed to find a good 
deal of difficulty in doing so, and was obliged 
to get the assistance of Col. Judy to aid in 
selecting and completing the committee, and 
J. H. Spear, of Tallula, the townsman of Col. 
Judy, and one of the prominent and winning 
Shorthorn breeders at previous fairs, was se- 
lected to hold the balance of power in this new 
committee. 

In coming to the fair of 1877, the Herefords 
came on an even classification, the Shorthorn 
premiums in classes having been reduced about 
15 per cent, and the Hereford increased some- 
thing over 20 per cent. The Hon. Sanmel 
Dysart had been chosen superintendent of the 
cattle department, and for the first time in the 
herd and sweepstakes competition the awarding 
committee were selected with a view to make 
the awards upon the merits of the cattle ex- 
hibited. 

In 1878 the two breeds in class premiums 
stood upon an even basis. Wlien approaching 
the competition between Herefords and Short- 
horns, for herd and sweepstakes premiums 
(Mr. Dysart then being absent in Europe), we 
said to Mr. Cobb, of Kankakee, that Herefords 
were entitled to fair and impartial committees, 
which he admitted. We proposed to him that 
President Gillham and ex-President Reynolds 
be requested to choose the awarding committees 
for this competition. He said, "That was right, 
and he would see that such an arrangement was 
carried out." The committee was selected by 
these gentlemen, and the Herefords won the 
first premium for the best five cattle, male or 
female, in the show, the get of one bull, the sire 
to be shown with the herd. Officers of the 
society attached to the Shorthorn cattle interest 
of the country, then took charge of the selection 
of the judges, and selected them in the interest 
of the Shorthorn exhibitors. So clear and im- 
niistakablc was the partisan character of this 
work that the Board changed the manner of 
selecting judges for the fair of 1879, when the 
Board was organized, with Col. J. W. Scott, 
as president. 

In his inaugural address President Scott 
said : "It is needless for me to call attention 
to the magnitude of the interest involved in an 
effort to promote the advancement of agricul- 
ture, horticulture, manufactures, and the do- 



HISTORY OF HE i; K FOIM) CATTLE 



497 



nicstic arts iu tlic Iwuliug agrii'uUural .^Uite oi 
tlic Union. The state, through thu legi.slaturo, 
has been very liberal, ami given iniieli latitude 
to the operations of the Board in creating the 
same, leaving the free exercise of our better 
judgment in the promotion of the interest in- 
\()lved, and thereliy increasing the responsibili- 
ties of this Board. One of the more prominent 
methods for the promotion of agricultural in- 
terest has been, and will be for some yeai's, the 
exhibition of the annual State Fair. It seems 
that the great inipo];tance of a just and com- 
petent award of our premiums would justify a 
departure from the old custom of selecting com- 
mitteemen, at least in the more important de- 
partment of live stock, where the competition 
is sharp. It is important that some means 
should be devised to secure competent men to 
act as judges, whose attendance can be de- 
pended upon, and relieve the Board from the 
necessity of selecting from the visitors men who 
are frequently not as skillful as the good repu- 
tation of the Board should require." 

The committee to whom was referred the 
president's address, reported as follows, on the 
matter of awarding premiums: 

"Fully realizing the importance of more care 
in awarding premiums, especially in the classes 
of live stock, we would recommend the passage 
of the following resolution: 'That the presi- 
dent, together with the superintendents of the 
several classes, be, and are hereby constituted a 
committee, and empowered to employ as com- 
mitteemen such gentlemen of recognized fitness 
in the several departments as may be deemed 
necessary, the remuneration in no case to exceed 
the actual expenses of such gentlemen.' " 

Under this resolution, committeemen were 
selected, wlio were deemed competent and im- 
partial, to judge the different lots in Class A 
(cattle department), which committeemen 
having been selected with care and without 
outside influences, were to act as judges and 
no protests were to be allowed. We were ad- 
vised of this action on coming to the secretary's 
office on the show grounds at Springfield, be- 
fore the opening of the show. We gave it our 
hearty approval and urged upon the superinten- 
dent that under no consideration should the ar- 
rangement be broken. It was carried out, al- 
though the Shorthorn exhibitors undertook to 
break it up. 

For ISSO the class premiums for both breeds 
were the same, hut competition between breeds 
was suspended. 

For 1881 the classification of Herefords and 
Shorthorns was even ; the sweepstakes confined 
to competition for a herd consisting of bull and 



four cows ur heifers of any age. We have not 
the data before us for 188^, but jiremiums in 
■ class stand on an even basis. 

This, then, in a concise form and up to the 
year 1883 when we ceased showing, is the rec- 
ord of the society as it stood betw'een breeds. 
Each of the incoming presidents recognized 
the necessity of a change in the manner 
of selecting judges. Each recognized that 
the system on which they had worked was de- 
fective, and so far as the record shows, but one 
change was made, and that in 1879, and that 
only held in practice one year. Each and all 
of the presidents recognized the responsibilities 
that rested upon this Board, the importance of 
the issues that were submitted to their manage- 
ment, and that the live stock interest was one 
of the largest and most important that they 
had to deal with. They appointed awarding 
committees at each and every annual meeting, 
with the knowledge that these committees were 
not likely to act, and have depended upon 
judges selected from the crowd of visitors; 
men who were, in the language of President 
Scott, "frequently not as skillful as the good 
reputation of the Board should require." This 
custom was in vogue for thirty years, and we 
submit that under such a system the awards 
had very little value. The Shorthorn interest 
sought to perpetuate this custom, that under 
the excitement of the show ring they might 
select men in their interest. 

Leaving the State Fair and the action of 
the Board in reference thereto, we are prepared 
to take up the management of the Fat Stock 
Show. The first of these shows was opened 
December 2, 1878, the Herefords winning the 
sweepstakes for the best cow in the show, and 
no other. The second was held November 10, 
1879 ; third, Xovember 15, 1880 ; the fourth, 
November 7, 1881. 

The action of the Board in reference to se- 
lecting judges for this show was to take them 
from the different sections of the state, recom- 
mended by different members of the Board. 
Men, as a rule, who had no experience with 
first-class bullocks, such as would be exhibited 
at this show, whose decisions did not carry 
weight or authority where the judges are known. 
Of the four shows mentioned, we only wish to 
call attention to a few facts therewith, and these 
mainly as regards ages at which cattle have 
been exhibited. 

At the show in 1879 the slaughtering test 
was introduced with results as set forth on 
page 147, Vol. XVII., Illinois State Report, 
which we show in a schedule in Chapter 16. 
Each of the bullocks represented in this sched- 



498 



HISTOKY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



ule was three years old, the grade Hereford 
at three years six months and fourteen days, 
with a mouth sliowing six permanent teeth, 
the grade Shorthorn represented at the same 
age, with eight permanent teeth. 

At the show in 1880, of steers, three and 
under four years old, there were slaughtered 
two Herefords and one Shorthorn. One of the 
Herefords was three years seven months and 
thirteen days old, and the other three years 
eleven months and thirteen days, each with six 
permanent teeth. The Shorthorn was repre- 
sented as three years six months and fifteen 
days, having a full mouth of eight teeth, but 
somewhat broken, and difficult to tell from the 
teeth his age. 

In the year 1881 the slaughter test revealed 
in the Shorthorn three-year-olds an older 
mouth than the age for which they were en- 
tered would indicate, while the mouths of the 
Hereford bullocks corresponded with the ages 
for which they were entered, as per standard 
authorities. These mouths were preserved and 
placed in the hands of the officers of the society 
for preservation. The facts in reference to these 
indications were fully before the Board through 
its officers. An effort was made at the opening 
of the show of 1880 to have the animals on 
exhibition examined by a veterinary surgeon, to 
determine the correctness of the entries that 
had been made. He entered upon his duties 
and met with a decided rebuff from one of the 
leading Shorthorn exhibitors, while the Here- 
ford exhibitors and several of the Shorthorn 
exhibitors tendered their co-operation in mak- 
ing such examination ; they were not, however, 
completed. This brings us to the show of 1883. 

With our experience of the past shows, with 
reference to entries of animals at fraudulent 
ages, there came a determination to expose, if 
possible, such frauds, if any existed at this 
show, and cattle were generally examined by 
experienced cattle men, exhibitors and others, 
and it was found that a large number of cattle, 
judging from the indications of the mouth, 
were entered at ages much under what this 
evidence would indicate. 

Among the rules governing the Fat Stock 
Show was one as follows : Section 5. "In case 
of protest notice must be given to the siiperin- 
tendent of department before or during the ex- 
amination of the animal or article protested, 
and a written statement giving the reasons for 
protesting, verified by affidavit, must be filed 
with the secretary on the day notice is given." 

Another rule. — Section 13. "Awarding com- 
mittees are instructed that if they have good 
reason to believe that any exhibitor, by false 



entry or otlierwise, attempts to deceive the 
committee or the public, and obtain an award 
by misreijresentation, they shall report the fact 
at once to the superintendent of the depart- 
ment, who shall rejjort the same to the Board, 
who may expel such exhibitor for fraud for at 
least two years." 

Rule. — Section 17. "Decisions of awarding 
committees shall be final, and no appeal will 
be considered except in cases of fraud and pro- 
test." 

These were the only published rules relating 
to the subject of frauds in entering and ex- 
hiliition of cattle at this show. Section 13 pro- 
vided for the disqualification and exj)ulsion of 
any exhibitor who attempted to deceive the 
committee or the public, and obtain an award 
by misrepresentation. It is true that this rule 
made it obligatory upon the awarding commit- 
tee to bring this matter to the notice of the 
superintendent, and that he should bring it to 
the Board, that they might expel such exhibi- 
tor. The life of this rule is that an exhibitor 
who, by fraud or misrepresentation, attempts 
to deceive the public, shall be expelled. This 
would be a fair construction of the rule, and it 
would be a strained and unnatural construction 
to say that the Board or its officers could not 
take cognizance except it come through the 
awarding committee, and from them to the 
superintendent, and from him to the Board. 

It was a well established fact among ex- 
hibitors and members of the Board that entries 
were made at fraudulent ages, and when we 
brought this matter directly to the president it 
was properly before the society, and to say that 
we had no right to a hearing until we came 
before them through the prescribed routing of 
Section 5, of the Rules, had no place in justice 
or equity. The animals had not yet been be- 
fore any committee, but they had been entered 
and a catalogue of the entries prepared. The 
animals thus catalogued were in the charge and 
under the control of the society, and they had 
a right to enter upon any investigation that 
would tend to advance the best interests' of the 
show. The cattle were entered in classes one, 
two and three years old, respectively. The ex- 
hibitors had undertaken to give the exact age of 
each animal. This was done among other 
things, that the society might determine the 
growth and gain per day, and upon such growth 
and gain per day an award was to be made. 
They had schedules which provided for an 
elaborate detailed statement of the results to 
be obtained. 

The fraud as to age committed the great 
state of Illinois, through the Agricultural De- 



HISTORY OF HER K F R D C A T T L E 



499 



partiiK'iit, to a fraud ami makes thciu a parly 
to it. The State Board, representing tlie Agri- 
cultural JJepartnieot of the state of Illinois, 
were assemhled on the opening of the show on 
the morning of Noveniher IG, to make their 
preparations and arrangements for the week's 
work that was before them. While thus assem- 
bled the facts of these frauds were brought to 
their notice. We called on President Scott, 
and advised him of these frauds and asked that 
he would bring the matter to the notice of the 
Board, that they might take the initiatory steps 
to determine the ages of the animals in the 
cattle department itefore they should be brought 
iieforo the committees. When we entered the 
outer room, President Scott, who was with 
the Board, left the inner room and met us, the 
Board still in session, and we tendered our 
herd of cattle then on exhibition for the open- 
ing of such an examination as they might see 
fit. 

Mr. Scott referred us to Rule 5, as his remedy 
in the premises. We advised Mr. Scott that we 
came not as a protestor, but to bring a fact as 
to fraud, which was well known throughout the 
building in which the show was to be held, and 
advised him that he might find this report 
sustained by mendjers of the Board, and ex- 
hibitors of Shorthorn as well as Hereford cat- 
tle; and urged him to take such measures as 
would protect the interests of exhibitors, who 
were there under the rules of the Board. 

On leaving this room we met ilr. J. H. San- 
ders, editor and proprietor of the "Breeders' 
Gazette," and called his attention to the fact, 
and asked his aid in having an investigation 
vnade in reference to this fraud as to the ages 
of cattle. Mr. Sanders promised to give all 
the aid that he could in the premises, and do 
all he could, if fraud was found, to expose it. 
By his public act, Mr. Scott, or the State Board, 
so far as we know, took no action in this mat- 
ter of fraud, but had the cattle brought before 
the committees, who made the awards based 
upon the fraudulent entries. 

We wish to state, in reference to Rule o. that 
the protest of an animal when in the show ring 
is substantially a farce. The notice of protest 
filed, the committee would go on as if no pro- 
test was made, the Board would go about their 
business, close their show, and go to Springfield 
on the first of January following, where the 
jirotestor might appear before them, get a hear- 
ing, or, should he find an opportunity to argue 
his case on the week of the show, there was so 
much haste, so much business crowding upon 
the members of the Board, that it was difficult 
to got at the merits of the question. 



We again appeared before the president on 
the last day Init one of the show, and again 
called his attention to special animals exhibited 
by Mr. D, M. Moninger, that the Board might 
take some action that would disqualify Mr. 
Moninger as an exhibitor, and forfeit the pre- 
miums that had been awarded to him. Mr. 
Scott again referred us to Rule 5, and said that 
we had our remedy through it. We informed 
hini that we came not as a protestor, but to 
bring a fact to them of a fraud that was 
flagrant, and such a one as the Board ought to 
take cognizance of. 

Failing to get satisfaction from Mr. Scott, 
we then went to the Hon. John P. Reynolds, a 
member and ex-president of the Board, and 
called his attention to the fact, and asked that 
he would give his influence to the exposing of 
the fraud that had been committed upon the 
society and the public, and called his attention 
to Rule 12, as authority for asking that the 
society should take some action in the premises. 
We also advised him that as this was the last 
day of the show, but one, we would be obliged 
to bring the matter to the notice of the Here- 
ford Society, which would meet that evening, 
and ask them that they would take action to 
protect themselves and the public from the con- 
sequences of these frauds. Mr. Reynolds went 
to Mr. C. M. Culbertson, the president of the 
Hereford Society, and asked him to use his 
influence so that the Hereford Society should 
not take any action in the premises, and he 
would !)ring the matter before the State Board 
on the following day and urge an investigation 
into the charges of fraud that were made. 

The matter was brought before the Hereford 
Society, wdien Mr. Reynolds' request and prom- 
ise were made known by ilr. Culbertson. No 
action was taken other than to request Presi- 
dent Culbertson to take such action in connec- 
tion with the State Board as might seem 
desirable. The charges were brought before the 
State Board the last day of the show by Mr. 
Reynolds, and the investigation was urged by 
Mr. Dysart and Mr. Reynolds. It was opposed 
by President Scott and Col. J. W. Judy. No 
other action was taken, so far as we know, other 
than to say to Mr. Moninger that charges were 
made that his steer. Champion of Iowa, was 
said to be older than the age for which he was 
entered. On Mr. Moninger stating that the age 
for which he was entered was correct, the mat- 
ter was dropped. The steer was entered at one 
year eleven months and fifteen days, showing 
a mouth of six full teeth. 

There were two other steers exhibited by Mr. 
Moninger, one as a two-vear-old, called Tom 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Brown, that were slaughtered in Chicago, and 
we obtained their mouths. We took these and 
others that we were able to obtain, went to 
Springfield and met the new Board at its or- 
ganization, and asked that they would consider 
the evidence that we brought before them. We 
submitted to them standard authorities as to 
the ages of animals as indicated l)y the teeth, 
referring to the information we had given on 
the week of the show, and submitted the mouths 
as evidence of the frauds, and asked whether 
Mr. Scott had not failed in his obligations to the 
public and to the state in not making investiga- 
tions in reference to the information that was 
brought to him as to the fraudulent ages of the 
cattle exhibited. On motion of Mr. D. B. Gill- 
ham, we were requested to put our charges in 
writing. These charges and the report of the 
committee to whom they were referred, we 
presented in Chapter 28, on dentition. The 
committee saw fit to shield the president behind 
a technicality of rules of the Board, to-wit: 
Section 5 and Section 12, which we have given. 
It will be remembered that this information 
was brought to Mr. Scott before the cattle were 
brought into the ring at all. We could not have 
acted under Rule 5, and in a manner recognized 
(as the committee say), by established rules. In 
fact, we said to President Scott that we did not 
come as a protestor, but we came for the pur- 
pose of placing facts before the society, before 
there was any complication of awards, and 
asked that the Board would take the initiatory 
steps to determine the correctness of the 
charges, and relieve the exhibitors from becom- 



cers would not recognize fraud except it comes 
to their notice through their awarding commit- 
tees or their superintendent? 

This is what they substantially said in the 
committee's report, and what the Board said in 
adopting this report. As illustrating Mr. Scott, 
in his peculiar position, we reproduce, in Chap- 
ter 28, a cartoon from the "Breeders' Journal," 
which we had jirepared at the time to better 
illustrate the Board's effort at sustaining him 
on this untenable and dangerous ground. We 
repeatedly called attention to the quotations 
from the inaugural addresses of the different 
presidents of the Board, in which they recog- 
nized the necessity of measures to make their 
awards authoritative and of value to the pub- 
lic. If it was to be understood that the State 
Board of Agriculture of Illinois would not take 
cognizance of fraud, except it come through 
these two mediums, the power that had been 
delegated to them by the state should be re- 
voked, and the state legislature should provide 
some other means to encourage the agricultural 
and live stock interest. 

If no record had been kept of the facts de- 
veloped at the different shows, grave injustice 
would have been done the Herefords. It is a 
matter of fact that all the Hereford two-year- 
olds showed with half as many teeth as many 
of the Shorthorn two-year-olds had, at the Chi- 
cago Fat Stock Show in 1882. This proves 
conclusively that the Herefords were much the 
younger. We give herewith the facts of this 
matter which we published in the "Breeders' 
Journal" at the time: 



STEEKS TO WHICH PRIZES WEKE AWARDED, GRADE AND 


SWEEPSTAKES CLASSES, FAT STOCK SHOW, 


1882. 


& 


Namk of Exhibitor. 




Age. 


C 
3 


"3 
•-< 


c p 


Beeed. 


PREMIUMS iWiRBED. 


o 


i 


1 


c 


p ft 








1174 
I'.'65 
1011 
1034 
715 
f)74 

Uiri 

i:!78 
1170 
978 
973 
9SB 
8G6 
714 


3 
3 

1 

1 
1 
3 
3 

2 
2 
2 
1 


3 
6 
9 

10 

11 
7 

11 
9 
9 
8 
8 
8 
8 
4 

11 


4 
5 
21 
14 
15 
24 
15 

28 
10 
18 
12 
4 
26 
15 


1945 
2400 
1850 
1905 
1600 
1410 
1G65 
1870 
1990 
1655 
1720 
1680 
1815 
1705 
1380 


1.65 
1.90 
1.83 
1.84 
2.23 
2.45 
2.31 
1.31 
1.44 
1.71 
1.75 
1.73 
1.88 
1.97 
1.93 


8 
8 
8 
6 
2 

Calf 

6 
6 
6 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
2 


•Grade Shortlioru 

•Grade Shorthorn 

•Grade Shorthorn 

Grade Shorthorn 

Grade Shortliorn 


1st— $30 
3d — 10 
1st— 30 
2d — 20 
1st— 30 
2d— 20 


$60 


























Fowler & Van Natta 






•Grade Shorthorn 












T L. Miller & Co 






7R 


T. L. Miller & Co 








T. L. Miller & Co 

T. L. Miller & Co 














T. L. Millers Co 














74 


T. L. Miller & Co. 















•In Chapter XXV'III on Dentition, we present illustrations of the mouths of some of these steers. 



ing prosecutors. The committee reported that 
we could not have been ignorant of our own 
plain duty as an exhibitor. Was it fair to say 
that the exhibitors are under obligations to 
prosecute, and also that the society or its offi- 



"We give a table, showing the catalogue num- 
ber, name of exhibitor, age in days, and age in 
years and months, weight, gain per day, number 
of teeth, and the premiums awarded, and the 
age as indicated by the teeth. We have also 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



501 



taken the stwiv a^ exliiliitcd by tlie T. L. Miller 
Co., that were s^tall-ri'd, and of the ages three, 
two, and one year old, with their ages, weight, 
gain per day, and age as indicated by the teeth. 
It will be seen hy this that Mr. Moninger's No. 
113 was entered as three years three months 
and four days old, weighing 1,945 pounds, to 
whom was awarded the first premium in the 
three-year-old grade class, and sweepstakes for 
the best three-vear-old in the show. 

"By referring to Nos. 83 and 84 of the T. L. 
lliller Co. exhibit, they were by the entries six 
months older than Mr. Moninger's steer, and 
weighed about the same, but they had only six 
teeth, while the Moninger had eight. And re- 
ferring to No. 17, H. & I. Groff, which won 
third premium in the grade class for three- 
year-olds, was represented three months younger 
than Nos. 83 and 84, and had eight teeth. 

"Referring to Nos. Ill and 109, D. xM. Mon- 
inger's, the first represented as two 3'ears nine 
months and twenty-one days old, and weighing 
1,950 pounds and having eight teeth, taking 
first premium for the best two-year-old grade; 
109, entered as two years ten months and four- 
teen days old, weighing 1,905 pounds, had six 
teeth, taking the second premium for grade 
two-year-old. For steers one and under two 
years, the premium was awarded to J. H. Potts 
& Sons' Red ilajor No. 22. There were twenty- 
six entries. 

"Referring to 78, 79, 80, 81 and 82, two-year- 
old grades of T. L. Miller Co.'s exhibit, averag- 
ing about two years eight months, and average 
weight 1,717 pounds, it will be found that none 
of them had over four teeth. Referring to J. 
H. Potts & Sons' No. 22 and T. L. Miller Co.'s 
No. 74, they are substantially the same age and 
the same mouth, to-wit, two teeth in each. 
Again, referring to No. 112, D. M. Moninger, 
one year eleven months and fifteen days old, 
weight 1,665 pounds, with six teeth. This steer 
was entered by Moninger in the class of year- 
lings at the ages and weights as stated. Mr. 
Potts, competing with him, said to Mr. Mon- 
inger, that if that steer No. 112 was exhibited 
he should protest him. Mr. IMoninger did not 
bring the steer before the awarding committees, 
which is prima facie evidence of the fraud upon 
the society in making the entry. The protest 
of an influential Shorthorn breeder would he 
too sure to be recognized, while it was tolerably 
safe to ignore the "kicks" of the Hereford men. 

"Jfr. ^Foninger exhibited what purported to 
be ten two-year-olds, of an average age of two 
years nine months and twenty-four days, weigh- 
ing 1,864 pounds, making a gain of 1.84 pounds 
per day. But it will lie l)orne in mind that seven 



of these steers had eight permanent teeth and 
three had six, while the T. L. Miller Co.'s steers 
averaged two years, seven months and twenty 
days old, two months younger as per entries, 
than Mr. Moninger's. 

"And we wish to call special attention to the 
fact that neither of these last-mentioned steers 
had over four full teeth, a little more than one- 
half as many as the Moninger steers; or, in 
other words, Moninger's steers averaged over 
seven teeth, while Miller's averaged less than 
four. We submit on that showing whether the 
Herefords were not entitled to class prizes in 
this show. 

"Again, referring to Section 12 of the Rules 
of the State Board, governing awarding com- 
mittees, on page 4 of their fat stock premium 
list, and page 52 of their animal premium list 
for 1882, they are instructed, that if they be- 
lieve an exhibitor, by false entry or otherwise, 
attempts to deceive the committee or the public, 
they shall report to the superintendent, and 
the superintendent to the Board, and they may 
expel such exhibitor from exhibiting before 
the society for two years. We intended to put 
the responsibility of fraudulent entries upon 
the State Board before the show opened; in 
fact, we determined this at the show a year ago. 
The Hereford breeders in the state of Hlinois 
must look forward to the time when they can 
come before the society at its shows and receive 
fair and impartial treatment. This is not only 
to protect their own rights, but that they may 
bring before the farmers of Illinois the evidence 
that the claims they make for the Herefords 
are founded upon a sure and solid basis. The 
majority of the citizens of Illinois suppose that 
the awards that are given at their state shows 
have a value and that they can judge from these 
somewhat as to the character of the different 
breeds. 

"We have no desire to convict Mr. Scott or 
any other officer of the Board of using his posi- 
tion to protect fraudulent exhibits, or of using 
his position in a partisan manner to protect 
any class of exhibitors. We have no desire to 
charge or convict the Board of such practices, 
and that they might be fully protected from 
such suspicion or such charges, the facts that 
we show in this table were brought fully to the 
notice of President Scott at the opening of the 
show, and, as we suppose, through him to the 
Board. Again, it was brought before them on 
the day but one before the close of the show^ 
Again, we followed them to Springfield and 
sought an interview with Mr. Scott in his room 
at the hotel, ^Ir. Reynolds being present, pre- 
senting him with the evidence of this fraud and 



502 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



urging upon him that action should be tal^en 
that would protect exhibitors in the future. 

"One manner suggested was by employing a 
veterinary surgeon who understood the teeth 
indications of age in animals, and as.sociate 
with him two good, practical cattlemen, to ex- 
amine all the entries that should be presented 
to them in future shows. He reijlied to this 
that such an examination as this would break 
up the show. Again, we took those evidences 
before the State Board; we made our verbal 
statements, and were asked to put them in writ- 
iDg, and the committee appointed by the Board 
say that Mr. Scott did what the Board ought 
to expect of their chief officer in refusing to 
make these examinations. When afterward a 
motion was made that such examinations 
should be made in the future, the Board refused 
to order such examinations. 

"The 'Breeders' Gazette,' 'not a trade circu- 
lar/ says of T. L. Miller's charges before the 
State Board, in reference to fraudulent entries 
of cattle : 'The standing of parties accused is 
such that their motives or veracity cannot be 
impugned.' Mr. Sanders occupies, in this case, 
a position somewhat analogous to that of the 
Tombs lawyer, ap})earing for his client, and un- 
dertaking to get a verdict in his favor by trying 
to prove the previous good character of his 
client. As to the report of the conmiittee, Mr. 
Sanders says: 'They were impartial men, who 
have no prejudices against breeds or breeders, 
and the fact that the report was unanimously 
adopted relieves the Hon. J. W. Scott, the late 
president, or the retiring members of the Board 
of Agriculture from any want of a desire to 
protect the exhilutor from imposition or 
fraud.' " 

In the April (1883) numbiT of the "Breed- 
ers' Journal" we said: 

"We learn that at the meeting of the State 
Board in February the question of determining 
the ages of cattle that were to be exhibited at 
the Fat Stock Show of 1883 was to be deter- 
mined by examination. This was the re-opening 
of what the Shorthorn interest supposed was 
fixed at the January meeting. They, at that 
time, determined that such examinations should 
not be made, but they found in the month that 
intervened between the two meetings that there 
was a determination to press that issue. We 
understand that it was decided to employ a 
veterinarian and two competent and disinter- 
ested cattlemen, not exhibitors at the show, to 
examine all the cattle that should be placed on 
exhibition at the next show. 

"How much our expose of the frauds perpe- 
trated at the last show had to do with this we 



are not advised; in fact, it is immaterial. We 
have had a severe and protracted fight before 
the State Board to secure for the Herefords an 
impartial hearing. There have been men in the 
Board, from the commencement of this contro- 
versy to the present time, who have desired to 
see fair play, and if the inside and outside his- 
tory of the Board could be written we think 
that the lobby, or the outside influence, has 
been the strongest. When Mr. Scott said to us 
in Springfield in January that such a rule 
would break up the show, we thought then, and 
we think now, that he believed that the Short- 
horn men would not show under such a rule, 
and hence the conclusion that the show would 
be broken up. We do not know that these con- 
clusions are correct, but we believe they are, 
and we believe that Mr. Scott at the last show, 
had it not been for this fear of Shorthorn influ- 
ence, would have imdertaken then to have ex- 
posed the frauds that were being per])etratcd. 

"At the February meeting of the Board it 
was decided that the State Fair for the next 
two years should be held in Chicago. We be- 
lieve that this is a wise move, and we under- 
stand that the citizens of Chicago are making 
liberal provisions to make the Fair a success. 
And we hope and expect that the changes that 
were made in the management of the Board at 
its election in September, and the rules that are 
likely to be adopted by that management, will 
put the State Agricultural Society of Illinois 
in the front rank of a reformatory movement 
that the great cattle interests of the world re- 
quire. We are not advised as to whether any 
action has been taken in relation to the selec- 
tion of judges. This is needed. One of the 
movements a year ago in this direction was to 
ask several State societies to send judges to act 
at the Fat Stock Show of 1883. Among the 
societies responding to this request were those 
of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and 
Ohio, each of which have made discriminations 
against Herefords in favor of Shorthorns for 
years. It seems strange to a large proportion 
of fair-minded men, and men well posted in 
public matters, that these states should run 
their fairs and shows in the interest of any 
breed or for partisan purposes. We are not 
surprised that such men should think we are 
actuated by partisan interests in making these 
charges and entering upon this contest. We are 
not surprised that they should charge it to the 
fact that we did not get all the premiums we 
thought we were entitled to. 

"So soon as the Hereford breeders came for- 
ward to make the exhibits at the State fairs in 
force we withdrew as an exhibitor. We should 



H I S T (~) R Y OF HE R E F R D CATTLE 



503 



have witlidrawii I'roiii tlu' Fat Slock Show two 
years buforo Imt I'or the fact that wc were 
strongly urged not to do so. Tliere has been no 
breeder iu the State of Illinois that has done 
more than we have to make the stock exhibits 
before the State Board a success. Our exhibits 
have always been cri'ditable, they have been 
large. Not one of the lireeders of cattle iu the 
State of Illinois re])reseuted the State at the 
Centennial Exhiliition iu I'hiladelphia in 1870 
but ourselves, and although we have claimed 
our rights, we believe that to-day a large ma- 
jority of the Board during the last eleven years 
will credit us with having prosecuted our claims 
in a fair and geutleniauly manner, and that a 
majority of the Board are personally friendly 
to us. We shall assume that iu the future the 
Board will not need any promptings from us 
to make its shows, its exhibits and its awards 
creditable to the State and the world. 

"We have nuide our contest with the State 
Board of Illinois because Illinois is our home. 
We had a right to a hearing, and to fair and im- 
partial treatment, that we would not have iu 
any other State or liefore any other society. We 
believed if this Shorthorn influence was broken 
here it would be suljstantially broken elsewhere, 
and we see no reason to change our views. The 
State Board of Indiana has been, if possible, 
more under Shorthorn influence than the State 
Board of Illinois. So with the State Board of 
Ohio, so with that of ]\Iichigan and Iowa; and 
they will do well to profit by the experience of 
the State Board of Illinois. The Indiana State 
Board, at its late meeting, for the first time 
gave other l)reeds a classification equal to that 
of the Shorthorns. 

"The State Board of Illinois has now a presi- 
(Unt that has no interest in Shorthorn l)recding, 
a man independent of all Shorthorn influence, 
as we believe, and we think that the Shorthorn 
members of the Board and the Shorthorn breed- 
ers outside of it did all they could to prevent 
his election. He was nominated, and the Board 
has elected the Hon. John P. Reynolds as the 
superintendent of the cattle department. ]\Ir. 
Reynolds has been connected with the Board 
for a great number of years, perhaps from the 
start. He has been its secretary, its president, 
and we think that the Board owes to him more 
of the good there is in its management than 
to any other man who has been connected with 
it. We know sonu'what of the course pursued 
by the Shorthorn interest in and out of the 
Board, and so far as the cattle interest is con- 
c( rued he has been for a fair, im])artial and in- 
telligent management, both as to classification 
and judging, and we would subniit our interest 



as we have Ijefore stated, to his judgment alone. 
He has uudoul)tedly exerted a larger influence 
in the board than we could have done in his 
j)lace, and with Mr. Landrigan as president and 
Mr. Reynolds as superintendent of the cattle 
department we can scarcely doubt but that there 
will be a fair administration in the manage- 
ment of the cattle department. 

"Although the Shorthorn interest will die 
hard, and will leave no stone unturned to in- 
fluence action in its favor, the Hereford 
breeders are strong in the merits and right of 
their cause, to meet the issues in a fair and 
candid spirit. They are destined to win the 
world over, and perhaps they had no right to 
expect a larger success than they have already 
attained. While we are not an exhibitor, we 
trust that the Hereford breeders as a whole 
will make such a show and such an exhibit at 
the State fairs and fat stock shows that will 
show their confidence in the present manage- 
ment. Should Mr. Scott's predictions be 
realized as to the Shorthorn breeders, let the 
Hereford men make good the deficiency. 
****** 

"Since writing the above wo have received 
from Secretary Fisher a copy of Mr. Moninger's 
statement, which was read at the February 
meeting, and is as follows: 

" 'To the Honorable Board of Agriculture of 
the State of Illinois: The cattle belonging to 
me, referred to by T. L. Miller in the state- 
ment made to your Board iu the January meet- 
ing, were of my own breeding and feeding, 
ages as recorded in my list of entries at the late 
fat stock show. A sworn statement of the ages 
of the steers named, with others shown in the 
herd, is in the hands of the Iowa State Board 
of Agriculture. 

" 'Tom Brown, winner of the sweepstakes 
prize for the best three-year-old steer in the 
show, dropped August 28, 1879, is well known 
by many cattlemen in Iowa. He was a prize 
winner at the Iowa State Fairs of 1880, 1881 
and 1883. The fairs were held during the first 
ten days of September each year. His weight 
when shown as a yearling was 9G0 pounds; 
at 2 years old, 1.500 pounds; and at three years 
old 1,000 pounds. When shown at a few days 
over twelve months old and 960 pounds weight, 
is the time, according to T. L. ^Miller's state- 
ment, when he was at least three years old (not 
far from the age of his sire at that time). 

"'This ix a Irief siaiement of the history of 
the prize irinner Tom Brown, that seems to 
troiihJc our T. L. lliJIrr f/rcatJy, inasmuch as 



504 



HISTORY OF HEEEFOED CATTLE 



kis teeth were trroiiff, he snys, when really it 
was his back that made him a troublesome steer 
in the ring to competitors — of the squealing 
kind. 

" 'I will here state that at the Iowa State 
Fair of 1880, when Tom Brown's show career 
commenced, Hon. James Wilson, of Traer, was 
superintendent of cattle. He selected lor 
judges on herds of fat cattle Hon. C. Clai-kson, 
of Des Moines, agricultural editor of the Iowa 
State Eegister; Hon. Oliver Mills, of Atlantic, 
and C. W. Norton, of Durant, Iowa. These 
gentlemen, as well as many other well known 
stockmen, such as Col. Scott of Nevada; Eobert 
Miller, of West Liberty; Hon. W. T. Smith, 
of Oskaloosa, now president of the Iowa State 
Board of Agriculture, I might refer to, who 
well remember my exhibit at the Fair, and espe- 
cially the little yearling steer, since named Tom 
Brown. 

" 'Grinnell, No. Ill, dropped February 7, 
1880, was shown in my herds of one and two- 
year-olds at the Iowa State Fairs of 1881 and 
1882. At the Fair of 1881 his weight was 
1,370 pounds, age 19 months; at the Fair of 
1882 his weight was 1,800, age 31 months. 
The weights here given are home weights. This 
steer was always shown in a herd of five steers 
of remarkable similarity, and he is not so easily 
distinguished from his mates. However, the 
correctness of his age can be proven by a good 
cattleman who has known and admired him 
from a sucking calf up to the date of his trial 
in the ring at the late show in Chicago. 

" 'The steer Iowa Champion, No. 112, 
dropped late in November, 1880, was a prize 
winner in mv herd of yearlings shown at the 
Iowa State Fair of 1882. This is his first ap- 
pearance in the show ring. 

" 'The steer Champion, 102, dropped Dec. 
7, 1879, is the largest steer that I ever raised 
for his age. He was first shown as a suckling 
calf, with his mother, at the Marshall County 
(Iowa) Fair of 1880; was winner of first prize 
for best yearling at Iowa State Fair of 1881 ; 
was next shown at Chicago Fat Stock Show of 
1882 weighing- at twelve months old 1,100; at 
twenty-four months old, 1,700, and at a few 
days under three years old, 2,200 pounds. This 
steer, I believe, is not named in the protest. I 
mention him here on account of his remarkable 
size and growth. He was. however, beaten by 
Mr. Gillette's steer Mammoth, 148, weighing 
2,220 pounds at seven months younger, and I 
do not question the age in the least in this ring. 
However, Mr. T. L. Miller put in his usual 
protest. .\s will lie roiucnibcred. an examina- 



tion of the teeth of the animals in this ring 
was made, and the awards announced as made 
by the judges. This is the ring in which Grin- 
nell referred to, was awarded the first prize. 

"'In regard to my exhibit for the late show 
I will state that they were fed for exhibition 
from almost the date of birth. I am not one 
of those who claim to have matured a steer of 
1,845 pounds weight at a little over 27 months 
old and only fed him 12 months preceding the 
show, as I understand to be the age and care 
of the steer Conqueror, shown by T. L. Miller 
at the show of 1880. While I do not say it 
is impossible in Mr. Miller, yet an exact state- 
ment of the prize steer would be of interest to 
many. As Mr. Miller in his communication 
states the importance of "going forth to the 
world with truthful results," I would suggest 
that your secretary, in editing these results, 
make marginal notes of explanations where 
needed, viz.: In the table on page 182, Vol. 18, 
Report of 1880, in which Mr. Miller reports 
sale of his show cattle at 1214 cents per pound 
live weight while Mr. Eoss, Mr. Highmore, Mr. 
Sodowsky and Mr. Scott fail to reach an aver- 
age sale of 7 cents per pound for their prize 
cattle, the price for choice exporting cattle for 
the week of the show not being over 6i/4 cents 
per pound. In Vol. 19, Report of 1881, Mr. 
T. L. Miller reports sale of his show herd at 12 
cents per pound, while Mr. Hunt, Mr. Nelson, 
and others only reached 8 cents for their best 
prize cattle. 

" '.\ due regard for Mr. T. L. Miller's earnest 
desire for "truthful results" might justify some 
explanation of these tables for the benefit of 
readers who may not know the superiority of 
Mr. Miller's kind of cattle and the wherefore of 
the great difference of price obtained. I would 
further suggest that these tables, which are val- 
uable if correct, be published in the stock jour- 
nals. Money is what we are after and if Mr. 
Miller's cattle will sell in the open market for 
beef for from 4 to 6 cents per pound more than 
other breeds of cattle, they are the kind, and he 
can well afford to retire from — to him, the 
trouble of the show ring, as he threatens to do. 
"Truthful results." Truthful Eesults. Who 
can better cry fraud than the man who has 
"been there?" D. M. Montnger. 

"'P. S. — A sworn statement from the man 
who dressed the steers Tom Brown and Grin- 
nell, is being prepared, and will be sent you. 
Also a sworn statement from me as to their ages 
will accompany it. By the way, the steer Grin- 
nell is going to come out the champion of any- 
thing on record, dressing over -72 per cent. 

" 'To S. D. Fisher. Secretarv. D. M. M.' 



II I S'l'O l{ V O F 11 K H K l"() H 1) (' ATT 



505 



"This was n'rciTcil ami the cfjiiiiiiitlcc iiiailc 
the I'ollowiiii; rcpoi'l : 

" 'To tile State Board ol' Aj,'ricullLiiv : Your 
roniniitti'c to whom was referred the coiiimuni- 
eation of Mr. 1). M. Moiiinger, of Galvin, la., 
would hefj leave to rejiort that they have 
duly considered the matter; that as iio foriiial 
protest lias heen entered against the entries 
made hy iiini as ])rescril)ed hy the published 
rules, no aetion of the Board should be taken, 
and the eommittee recommend that the com- 
munication be placed on file with other papers 
in the ease. 

.1. IiiviXG Pearce, 
John P. Eeynolds, 
John Virgin^ 

Committee.' 

"There is lint little to Mr. Moninger's state- 
ment beyond what his entries would show. He 
says a sworn statement of the ages of the steers 
named, with others shown in the herd, is in the 
liands of the Secretary of the low^a State Board 
of .Xgriculture. It would have been well if Mr. 
]\Ioninger could have had a sworn copy of these 
statements. In reference to the steer Tom 
Brown, Mr. ^I. seems to think 'it was his back 
instead of his teeth that was troublesome to 
competitors of the squealing kind.' This, we 
think, is the only reference that Mr. M. makes 
to the fact that a three-year-old steer carried 
eight teeth with evidence of absorption already 
commenced. After some considerable general 
talk about this steer, the judges and the parties 
who know .something about him in the show 
ring, we would call attention to the fact that 
iVfr. M. states that Tom Brown received his 
name some time after those exhibits were made, 
which may or may not be a convenient way of 
covering his identity. 

"As to (irinnell, a two-year-old steer, he does 
not undertake to explain how he could grow 
eight teeth while he was only entitled, accord- 
ing to standard authorities, to four. We 
wish to call special attention to the remark in 
Mr. Moninger's statement in reference to this 
steer, 'that he was one of five steers of remark- 
able similarity, and he was not so easily dis- 
tinguished from his mates.' But he suggests 
that he can prove his age hy a man that has 
known him from a calf. It would have been 
well for Mr. Moninger to have produced this 
testimony, (ieneral statements are not as easily 
refuted as certificates giving age by dates, and 
sworn statements, if not true, subject a man 
to charge of perjury. 

"As to the steer, Iowa Champion. Xo. II".', 
he gives no explanation as to how he could have 



grown six leelli when entitled to oidy two. 
There are some general statenu'nts made about 
the steer Champion Xo. 102. 

"On the whole, the .statement that Mr. Mon- 
inger makes will hardly convince anyone that 
his entries as made at the Fat Stock Show were 
truthful. But he promises some further data, 
and we defer anj^ further notice of this reply 
until his case is made and placed on record. 

"Mr. Moninger undertakes to draw attention 
from his case by reviving the charges of Tom 
Corwin Anderson, in 1880. We met these at 
the time," we believe satisfactorily to everybody 
who took any interest in the case, and 
especially to Mr. Anderson. We hope when 
Mr. Moninger has his affidavits prepared they 
will be in such shape that they will have 
some value in and of tlicmselves, and that they 
may contain some explanation as to how such 
abnormal teeth developments may be secured. 

"The committee in reporting upon this state- 
ment, say that as no formal protest has been 
entered against the entries made by him (Mr. 
D. M. Moninger), as described by the published 
rules, no action should be taken, and the com- 
mittee recommend that the communication 
be placed on file with other papers in the case. 
Mr. Miller has never undertaken to make any 
protest; each and every time that he has come 
before President Scott or the Board he has 
stated distinctly that he has come to advise the 
Board of facts, and not as a protestor." 

On page 86 of Vol. 4 of the "Breeders' 
Journal," appears the following humorous h\n- 
lesque, written by an unknown Kansas corre- 
spondent (thought to be W. E. Campbell), 
which shows so thorough an appreciation of the 
truth of the case that it cannot be left out of 
this history. 

TRIAL OF n. M. jrONINGER. 

"Fditor 'Journal': 

"You will probably find the following of 
interest to your readers : 

"D. M. Moninger, the great Shorthorn 
breeder of Iowa, and the exhibitor of the 
crimson herd of Shorthorns at the leading 
Western Fairs last fall, was arraigned in Chi- 
cago before the Court of Public Opinion at 
the November Term, Judge Breeders presid- 
ing, J. H. Gazette appearing for the defense 
and T. L. Whiteface for the jirosecution. 

"The indictment charged the prisoner with 
frauds perpetrated upon the jiublic, and of ob- 
taining moneys and valuable premiums by false 
))retenses and misrejjresentations to and before 
the Illinois State Board of Agriculture, on or 



506 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



about the Kith day of November, 1882. The 
indictment further charges and sayeth that on 
or about the Kith day of November, 1883, the 
aforesaid D. M. Moninger did enter, or cause 
to be entered, a number of Shorthorn steers 
under false ages and misrepresentations, there- 
by defrauding honorable exhibitors out of large 
sums of money and valuable premiums. And 
the indictment further sayeth that on or about 
the 16th day of November, 1882, the aforesaid 
D. M. Moninger did wilfully, knowingly and 
fraudulently enter the Shorthorn steer Cham- 
pion of Iowa, as being one and under two years 
old, when the aforesaid Moninger knew said 
steer to be three years and eight months old. The 
indictment further sayeth that the horns of the 
aforesaid steer, Champion of Iowa, had been 
filed, scraped, shortened, and otherwise dis- 
figured for the purpose of deceiving the public, 
in making said steer appear miich younger than 
the said D. M. iloningcr knew him to be. 

"A motion was made to quash the indictment 
on account of informalit_y, but was overruled 
and the defense forced to trial. 

"A. Herdsman was the first witness called, 
and testified that the ages of cattle could 
readily be determined by an examination of 
their mouths; that he had examined the mouth 
of the steer. Champion of Iowa, entered by the 
defendant as a yearling, and found that said 
steer had six full grown, second-growth teeth, 
and that he was about three years and eight 
months old. 

"On cross-examination he said that he had 
examined the mouth of the Shorthorn steer 
Red Major, entered and exhibited by Potts & 
Son as the same age to a day as the defendant's 
steer; that the Potts steer had but two second- 
growth teeth, and that the Moninger steer had 
six second-growth teeth and must have been 
about two years older than the Potts steer. 

"John Ranchman was then examined and 
testified that he had bought and sold thousands 
of cattle in Texas and Colorado ; that whenever 
there was any dispute or doubt about the ages 
of cattle when delivering and classifying them, 
they were lassoed, thrown down and their 
mouths examined. If the animal had no 
second-growth teeth it was classed as a calf or 
yearling; if two second-growth teeth, as a two- 
year-old ; if six second-growth teeth, as four 
years old, which is the highest and most valu- 
able class they have, and are commonly called 
beeves. The two first second-growth teeth ap- 
pear at about eighteen months, and at twenty- 
four months they are fully developed, and so 
on each twelve months, until the animal has 
what we call a full mouth. 



"The counsel for defense then produced some 
printed matter clipped from the 'Breeders' 
Gazette' and the 'Chicago Times,' which they 
asked leave to read and submit to the jury as 
evidence, to which the prosecution objected, 
and after some discussion the court ruled that 
the printed matter could be read, but that the 
jury were at liberty to use their own judgment 
as to the value and weight of the same. 

"The articles were then read to open court, 
and represented that the world-renowned Dr. 
N. H. Veterinary had examined the mouths of 
the steers in question and found that they were 
entered in accordance with the ages their 
mouths or teeth indicated. 

"J. H. Uazette then volunteered his testi- 
mony ; was placed upon the stand and testified 
that he had known the defendant many years, 
and had always considered him a very fine 
Shorthorn breeder. He admitted that de- 
fendant's cattle had an unusual number of 
large teeth for their age, but he thought they 
had been forced out by the feeding of very 
hard, flinty corn, which was known to grow on 
Mr. Moninger's farm ; and the crushing of this 
flinty corn (in his opinion) had forced the 
second growth of teeth through the gums at a 
very early age, and thought Dr. N. H. Veteri- 
nary based his conclusions upon the same 
theory, and that the Doctor was very high au- 
thority in steerology. 

"T. L. Whiteface, believing that Dr. N. H. 
Veterinary had been grossly misrepresented 
and used as a scape-goat, to his detrinumt for 
the benefit of the defendant, asked that the 
Doctor be subpoenaed and brought into court, 
which caused quite a rustling throughout the 
court room, that did not subside until the Doc- 
tor had been sworn and placed upon the witness 
stand. 

"He testified that he had not authorized the 
statement made in court by Mr. Gazette, much 
less the articles read by the defense; that he 
was not interested in the matter, and did not 
know any of the steers involved, either by name 
or number, and very much regretted that he 
had been dragged into so disagreeable a posi- 
tion. 

"Court then adjourned until Monday, when 
it is expected the prosecution will introduce 
testimony of a startling nature. 

"Yours ever, Bovine. 

"Grass Plot, Kansas, Dec. 25, 1882." 

That the Hereford winnings made a decided 
inijn'cssion on the breeders of Shorthorns is 
shown by the following from the "Breeders' 
Journal" : 



IIISTOKV MF II !•: i; K FO K I) CATTLE 



507 



"A writer in the 'X;itioiial Live Stock Joiir- 
iial' uiKk'r tile hcadiiifi of "The Present and 
Future of Sliortlioriis", says in reference to 
showing at the Fat Stock Show that 'in the 
future we must insist on its being between 
thoroughbreds of the different rival l)reeds, so 
there will be no doubt about how much Short- 
horn blood there is in one that is shown as a 
Hereford grade. It is manifestly unfair to 
breed the j)ick of the Hereford bulls imported 
into this country on some of our best cows, 
and then exhibit their progeny as grade Here- 
fords. It is no grade, it is a cross-bred. If 
this practice is continued by the Hereford men, 
the Shorthorn men should retaliate by selecting 
several of the best Hereford cows and breed 
the best Shorthorn bulls upon them, and show 
the calves of these Hereford cows as grade 
Shorthorns. And nothing would be settled by 
this course. It would show only the unfairness 
which Hereford men have been practicing in 
the past, and every time the blue ribbon has 
been awarded on the Hereford grades in the 
best fat stock shows in this country, doubtless 
one-half or more of the ribbons should have 
been labeled, "A Shorthorn cow has proved 
true to her well-established character, namely, 
she makes a half-breed better than the average 
of the sire's race." And we understand that 
these Polled Angus friends follow their Here- 
ford friends' practice in this regard, and their 
crosses will be harder to detect, as we are told 
these Polled Angus bulls are such prepotent 
fellows that at one sweep they knock both horns 
and color off' the finest Shorthorn cow in the 
land and bury the unfortunate cow's calf in a 
dark grave and deny them the privilege of be- 
ing recorded alongside of their mothers. Re- 
taliation upon these Polled Angus men is prac- 
tically denied the Shorthorn men, from the fact 
that we are told that no Shorthorn bull in the 
world can make these pokers grow out at the 
top-nots of those black cows, or the orange color 
to blossom upon their smelling tubes. So it 
appears at the present time the Shorthorn 
breeders are put to a disadvantage with these 
Polled Angus breeders, and the only way left 
us to l)oat them is to fight them as we propose 
to fight the Hereford breeders — thoroughbred 
against thorousrhbred.' — [This is part of an 
article signed W. H. H. fundiff.] 

"Will our Shorthorn friend state how many 
thoroughbred Shorthorns have been winning 
honors at the Fat Stock Show? Can he remem- 
ber that it was the thoroughbred Hereford cow 
Jennie that won the sweepstakes for the best 
cow in the show in 1879? Will he state how 
much Sliurthoni Ijlood the steer Coufiueror 



iiail? Here we call to his attention that every 
grade Hereford that has been shown at the Fat 
Stock Show was a well marked Hereford. Our 
friend is in trouble, and considers himself at 
a disadvantage with the Hereford. He must 
have the white face and the usual markings. 
If he puts the Shorthorn bull upon the Here- 
ford cow he must bring affidavits upon the show 
ground if he would claim any merit from the 
Shorthorn, for the produce will be a Hereford 
in appearance and charactei". We cannot at the 
present time see any way by which he can be 
successful upon the show ground, except to fol- 
low the practice in vogue at the last show, to- 
wit, showing cattle at from two to three years 
older than the ages for which they were entered. 
But we fear even here he wdll be at a disad- 
vantage, as we understand that the rules of the 
Board are to be enforced at the next show." 

It is hardly necessary to say that at this time 
the "Breeders' Gazette" was not in any sense 
of the word a partisan of the Hereford breed of 
cattle. 

We had the following to say at the time, in 
regard to this matter: 

"We have no desire to prolong this contro- 
versy, but we wish to state our beliefs. Some- 
thing about three years ago there was formed 
a syndicate, a Bates corner in that class of the 
Shorthorn breed of cattle. We believe that out 
of that syndicate grew the establishment of the 
'Breeders' Gazette,' and that the parties inter- 
ested in that movement were the main support- 
ers of that journal. 

"We believe that out of that syndicate was 
formed the plan to break the Hereford interest, 
by charging T. L. Miller with frauds at the 
Fat Stock Show- as to the ages of his cattle. 
That that syndicate was a signal failure there is 
no doubt." 

From the "Breeders' Journal," April, 1883, 
we quote : "Mr. J. H. Sanders of the 'Breed- 
ers' Gazette,' in noticing Mr. Moninger's state- 
ment before the State Board in reference to 
the entries of his cattle, says: 'We have been 
favored, as heretofore stated, with a copy of 
the communication sent by Mr. Moninger, of 
Iowa, to the Illinois State Board of Agricul- 
ture, in reply to the recently pulilished state- 
ment of T. Li. Miller, of Beechor, Illinois. The 
action of the State Board in refusing to con- 
sider the tardy protest of T. L. Miller, months 
after tlie awards had been made on the cattle 
in question, has generally been endorsed by the 
))uli]ic, who have never questioned the integrity 
or th(> motives of this body of honorable gentle- 
men. The untarnished reputation and high 
standing of the Board, individual! v and col- 



508 



HISTORY OF 11 E KEl'Oi; I) CATTLE 



Icctively, lias not suU'ered in the filightust de- 
gree with tlic unprejudiced public from Mr. 
Miller's aspersions. His (Mr. Miller's) motives 
are generally understood and have been mani- 
fest from the beginning of the movement, to 
advertise certain interests in every possible way, 
regardless of courtesy or even common decency. 
Mr. Miller was requested by the officers of the 
Board at the proper time, during the show, to 
reduce his verbal complaints to writing and 
make specific charges against the steers ex- 
hibited by the Messrs. Moninger, C4rofE and 
others. He was assured that his protest, if so 
made, should have proper attention, and he well 
knew that recognized experts would thereupon 
be called to determine the matter of the ages 
of the steers in question. But Mr. Miller failed 
to do this until long after the steers were killed, 
and now the evidence he presents, the alleged 
teeth of the steers in question, is no more con- 
vincing to the friends of the parties than the 
positive statement of Mr. Moninger, a breeder, 
and the other man he names, as to the age of 
the steers, even if the identity of the teeth has 
been established, which has not been done.' 
To which we replied in the 'Journal,' Vol. 4, 
page 330: 'Mr. Miller appeared before the 
Board in the morning of the day that the show 
opened and advised Mr. Scott of the frauds 
that were being perpetrated upon the Board, 
exhibitors and the public, and asked that the 
Board might take the initiatory steps to ascer- 
tain the correctness of the entries and protect 
the exhibitors that were honestly before them 
umler the rules.' 

" 'Mr. Miller again appeared before Mr. Scott 
the last day but one of the show, and again 
called his attention to thes^ facts, and asked 
that an investigation might be had, and with 
witnesses, if need be, to prove the fraudulent 
ages of the steers in question. Failing to get 
a promise of any action from Mr. Scott, he 
then went to Mr. John P. Reynolds. Mr. 
Reynolds promised to give his efforts and in- 
fluence, as did the Hon. Sam'l Dysart, another 
member of the Board, which was opposed by 
Col. Scott and Col. Judy. 

" 'Mr. Miller secured the teeth of several of 
these animals that were slaughtered in Chicago, 
and met the newly elected Board at their meet- 
ing in January, and laid before them again 
these facts and this evidence, and charged there 
and then that either Mr. Scott had failed in 
meeting his responsibilities, or that the Board 
had failed in theirs. These facts were brought 
to the notice of the Board not in the shape of 
protest but in the shape of information, which 



till' iSoard ought tu have taken cognizance of 
the week ol' the show. 

" 'ilr. Sanilers says "the action of tlii' State 
Board in refusing to consider the informal pro- 
test of Mr. JMiller months after the awards 
hail been made on the cattle in question, has 
generally licen endorsed by the public, who have 
never questioned the integrity or motives of 
this body of honorable gentlemen." Mr. San- 
ders knew w-hen he wrote this article that Mr. 
^filler had so informed the Board on the open- 
ing day and the closing day but one of the 
show, and he knew that Mr. Miller, instead of 
making a protest, took the first opportunity 
when the new Board was organized to meet the 
Board with these facts. Mr. Sanders knew that 
there was a strong feeling in the Board in favor 
of these charges having an investigation, and 
lie knows, and knew then, that the investigation 
of these charges was opposed by the Short- 
horn influence, in and out of the Board. He 
knew that when the effort was made to have the 
rule passed by which, at future Fat Stock Shows, 
a proper and authoritative examination should 
be made as to ages of the cattle on exhibi- 
tion, it was opposed by the Shorthorn mem- 
bers, including Cols. Scott and Judy, who were 
perhaps the leaders in the opposition. He 
knew when he wrote that article that the follow- 
ing resolutions were passed at the February 
meeting, providing for such an examination at 
future shows as would prevent the repetition of 
these frauds : 

" 'Resolved, That the President be, and he 
is hereby, authorized to select and secure the 
attendance of three gentlemen, one of whom 
shall be an experienced and piractical veterinary 
surgeon, and two of them experienced cattle 
feeders or breeders of neat cattle, who shall 
examine every animal entered for competition 
in Class A at the Fat Stock Show, and re- 
port in writing to this Board, previous to the 
commencement of work by the awarding com- 
mittees, their Judgment as to the ages of the 
respective animals so examined. 

" 'Resolved, That the committee on ages shall 
act independent of the statements of exhibitors 
as to the ages of their respective entries.' 

"^Vhen Mr. Sanders says that that action of 
the Board at its January meeting has generally 
been cndors(>d by the public, be knew, when the 
sentence was ])enned, that public sentiment had 
compelled the Board to provide for future ex- 
aminations. When he says that Mr. Miller's 
movements are generally understood, and have 
been manifest from the beginning of the move- 
ment, to advertise certain interests in every pos- 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



509 



sil)le waj', regardless of courtesy or even com- 
mon decency, he knew that he was occupying 
the contemptible position of a pettifogger. 

"It is true that Mr. Moninger entered steers 
at this show as two years old with eight teeth, 
as one year old with si.x, and when Mr. Sanders 
■was asked by a prominent exhibitor at this 
show to make an examination of the mouths 
of these steers, he excused himself by saying 
he could not tell by the teeth the age of a bul- 
lock. Still, he claims to be the 'pioneer Jour- 
nalist" in the live stock interest of America. 
He knew that Mr. Miller went before the Board 
to advise the Board of these facts. He knew 
that Mr. Miller advised him (Sanders), and 
that he had promised to give his influence in 
aiding Mr. Miller to expose any fraud in the 
entries of animals that were entered at that 
show. 

"These are. facts, and Mr. Miller's record in 
this matter has been open and above board. 
Mr. Sanders' position in undertaking to defend 
Mr. Moninger in these fraudulent entries might 
lie excused in him as an individual, being a 
personal and intimate friend of Mr. Moninger, 
but as a Journalist there is no excuse. Mr. San- 
ders might inform himself that two-year-old 
steers cannot grow eight teeth, or one-year-old 
six, and he knows that these bvillocks had such 
teeth, and we are not confined to the teeth 
that we have secured to show this. We can, 
whenever the time comes and it becomes neces- 
sary, bring such an array of witnesses to prove 
these statements as will make it conclusive he-_ 
fore any court in Christendom. IMr. Sanders 
says that 'Jlr. Miller failed to make his protest 
in a formal manner until long after the steers 
were killed, and now the evidence he presents 
,(the alleged teeth of the steers in question) is 
no more convincing to the friends of the parties 
than the positive statements of Mr. Moninger, 
a breeder, and the other men he names.' Mr. 
[Moninger's referring to certain names is not 
presenting them in evidence at all. They have 
had nothing to say as yet ; when they do have, 
we will discuss the merits of their statements. 

"AVc would call attention to the 'Gazette,' 
■which professes to give a correct copy of the 
statement made by Mr. Moninger to the State 
Board, that it has left out a portion, which we 
have put in italics, commencing with 'this w a 
brief .ifatpment,' etc., etc." 

From the "Breeders' Journal," June, 1883, 
we quote : "We have lu>retofore given Mr. 
ifoninger's statement in answer to our charges 
of fraudulent entries at the late Fat Stock 
Show. The 'Breeders' Gazette' of the 5th inst. 
introduces Mr. Moninger as follows: The re- 



markable percentage of net to live weight made 
by the grade Shorthorn steers Grinnell and 
Tom Brown, exhibited at the last American 
Fat Stock Show in this city by D. M. Moninger, 
of Galvin, la., have already been reported in 
these columns as tending to set at rest the 
fraudulent charges as to how the bullocks died, 
as the English say. We herewith present the 
afBdavits of Messrs. Moninger and Duddleston : 

MR. moninger's affidavit. 

""The steer Grinnell, winner of the first 
prize for best two-year-old steer in the Chicago 
Fat Stock Show of 1882, was dropped Febru- 
ary 7th, 1880. The steer Tom Brown, winner 
of first prize for best three-year-old steer in 
the same show, was dropped August 28th, 1879. 
"'D. M. Moninger. 

"'Feb. 24th, 1883. 

" 'Subscribed in my presence and sworn to 
before me by the said D. M. Moninger, this 
24th day of February, 1883, as witness my 
hand and seal notarial. 

" 'Henry Stone, Not. Pub.' 

AFFIDAVIT OF GEO. DUDDLESTON. 

" 'Chicago, March 27th, 1883. 
" 'This is to certify that I, George Duddles- 
ton, a butcher doing business at Nos. 83 and 85 
Fifth Ave., Chicago, 111., purchased the prize 
steers Grinnell and Tom Brown from D. M. 
Moninger, of Galvin, Iowa, during the last 
Fat Stock Show held in this city ; that the live 
weight of the steer Grinnell, allowing fifty 
pounds for shrinkage (his show weight having 
been 1,850 pounds), was 1,800, and that said 
steer Grinnell's dressed weight was 1,310 
pounds, a percentage of 32 to 77 of net to live 
weight. The show weight of the steer Tom 
Brown was 1,945 pounds, from which 50 
pounds is to be deducted for shrinkage, leaving 
his live weight at time of slaughter 1,895 
pounds ; the dressed weight of the steer Tom 
Brown was 1,340 pounds, a percentage of net to 
live weight of 31 to 70. Having seen the car- 
casses dressed at each of the Fat Stock Shows, 
I can truly say that I have never seen so deep a 
fleshed bullock as the steer Grinnell above 
mentioned. Furthermore, it is my belief that 
the ages of the above named steers were sub- 
stantially as given to the managers of the 
show by Mr. ]Moninger. 

" 'Geo. Duddleston. 
" 'State of Illinois, Cook County. Attest. _ 
"'Subscribed and sworn to before me this 
27th day of March. A. D. 1883. 

" 'Geo. Bkaiiam, Not. Pub.' 



ilO 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



"Of which tlie 'Breeders' Gazette" says: 
'The allowance of 50 pounds shrinkage from 
show weight will be generally regarded as none 
too large, especially in view of the fact that the 
champion Hereford steer imported Sir Rich- 
ard's shrinkage, as we are informed, was 75 
pounds. The statement of Mr. Duddleston de- 
rives additional weight from the fact that he 
has a decided preference, as a rule, for Here- 
ford cattle, and his experience as a butcher is 
such as to render his clearly expressed opinion 
as to the age of the steers worthy of some 
credence.' 

"Mr. Miller obtained the teeth of the steers 
from Mr. Duddleston. Jlr. Moninger makes 
affidavit as to the age of the steers, but does 
not show or explain how a steer at two years old 
can grow eight teeth; neither does he explain 
how Tom Brown at three years old could grow 
eight teeth, while the first was entitled to only 
four and the latter to six. As to the net to 
live weight as given by Mr. Duddleston it is 
foreign to the questions at issue. It will be 
remembered that the steers had lived something 
over one month from the time they were 
weighed; that they ought to have gained 75 
pounds instead of shrinking 50. But this is 
immaterial. Mr. Duildleston's opinion may bo 
valuable, but it would seem to us that Mr. 
Moninger is bringing to his aid very weak sup- 
port. We had hoped to see Mr. Duddleston, 
but have not been able to inquire as to who 
sought his affidavit and how he could reconcile 
the fact that these steers carried a full mouth 
of eight teeth at the age they were represented 
to be. Not seeing him, we have written him a 
lino, and may be able to give his answer next 
month. We have received a letter from a 
responsible party and have had it in our pos- 
scssifin for some time, waiting for some testi- 
mony from Moninger. The letter is as follows: 

" 'Feb. 32, 1883. 
" 'T. L. Miller, Esq. 

" 'Dear Sir : I attended a farmer's sale of 
stock, etc., to-day, and while there was engaged 
in conversation with three gentlemen with 
whom I am well acquainted. Two of them are 
breeders of Shorthorn cattle, and the other a 
large feeder of cattle. The conversation turned 
upon yourself and your cattle, when one of the 
breeders above referred to said that a man work- 
ing in his neighborhood who formerly lived in 
Iowa, near D. M. Moninger, says you arc cor- 
rect about the age of the steer Tom Brown, 
shown by Moninger last Novemlier at the Fat 
Stock Show. He said this party stated that ho 
knew the steer well, and that his age is about 
the same as vou consider it to be, and that there 



are many persons in the vicinity who know the 
same thing. Yours truly, 

"'E. W. P.' 

"We are fully satisfied that the proof might 
be liad from several parties as to the ages of the 
steers exhibited by Sir. Moninger last Novem- 
ber. Mr. Moninger undoubtedly relied upon 
having his steers passed through the exhibition 
without cjuestion as to the correctness of his 
entries, and we have no doubt that the fact 
that the steers exhibited greater age than they 
were entered for, and that the dressing would 
have exposed this, is the reason why the bul- 
locks were not dressed at the show. It was 
well known by the exhibitors at this show, and 
that of 1881, that the Shorthorn bullocks that 
were dressed in 1881 showed an age by their 
mouths largely in excess of that for which 
they were entered. They knew that the Here- 
ford exhibitors had these mouths preserved and 
placed in the hands of the officers of the State 
Board as an evidence of the fraud as to age. 
Our persistency in calling attention to these 
frauds and bringing forward these evidences 
(for it will be borne in mind that the 
'Gazette' admits that Mr. Duddleston gave us 
these teeth) has secured action by the State 
Board which will prevent any such frauds in the 
future. We are advised by members of the 
Board that this rule will be rigidly enforced, 
to-wit : That all cattle offered for exhibition in 
1883 will be examined by a competent veteri- 
nary surgeon and two practical men to deter- 
riiine the ages without reference to the entries. 

"It is now nearly five months from the time 
these charges were made, before these affidavits 
were given, and no evidence now beyond what 
was before the Board and the public on the 
16th of November. This is not a matter as to 
whether a Shorthorn exhibitor or a Hereford 
exhibitor shall be successful at the Show. It 
is beyond and above this. It is a question as 
to whether the State Board of Agriculture of 
Illinois shall publish to the world, under its 
authority and sanction, data that are based 
upon an erroneous and incorrect basis." 

Gr-^des and Crosses. — The journals that 
were advocating the lordly Shorthorn could not 
bear to have the Herefords win a prize, and 
when they did win with a steer that was the 
most distantly related to the Shorthorn they 
claimed all the glory for their breed. 

Strictly speaking, at the date of which we are 
writing there were very few, if any, cross-bred 
steers, as we understand the term ; that is, a 
thoroughbred Hereford bull bred to a thorough- 
bred Shorthorn cow, and there were certainly 



HISTORY OF Ji i-:ri<]ford cattle 



511 



none brod tlic other way, or the call" would 
coiiip rc'il witli wliilr I'acx'. Our gnulc Horofords 
wcro bri'd from all kinds of nativo cows, with a 
thoroughbred Hereford bull for sire. On this 
subject we quote from the "Mark Lane Ex- 
})ress" as follows: 

"The 'Breeders' Gazette' (Chicago), a Jour- 
nal which appears to be Inying itself out as fur 
as possible to further the interests of Shorlhorn 
breeders and fanciers, admits that the llere- 
fords come nearer 'dividing the honors as beef 
))roduccrs with the Shorthorns than any other 
breed in America.' This is pretty well from 
the 'Breeder's Gazette,' especially when it is 
seldom contended by even the warmest par- 
tisans of tlio Shortliorn breed in this country 
that Shorthorns excel the Herefords purely as 
beef producers. However, the 'Gazette' goes 
on to say: 'They (the Herefords) are an old 
and well established breed, and have long been 
known in this country; but it has only been 
within the past six years that they may fairly 
be said to have made any material advances in 
popular favor. Since then, however, the de- 
mand for improved bulls, for use in the vast 
herds on our western plains, has led to the 
extensive use of the Herefords, and so far as we 
have heard an expression of opinion, with most 
excellent results. Certainly the demand during 
the past three years has been largely in excess 
of the supply, and prices have risen materially. 
AVithin two years past the importation from 
Great Britain, notwithstanding the hindrances 
of an expensive quarantine, have very greatly 
exce<'ded the sura total of importations to this 
country previous to that date, and there is no 
perceptible falling off in the demand for them 
by our ranchmen. Their great merit as grazing 
beasts is unquestioned. That they possess great 
hardiness is clearly evidenced by their heavy 
shoulders, well sprung ribs and general 
make-up. As a rule, there is no breed of cat- 
tle extant the strueture of which more clearly 
indicates strong vital organs than the Here- 
fords. The breeders of Herefords in this coun- 
try have manifested much spirit for several 
years past in pushing the claims of these rattle 
to the front, and have ■undoubtedly met with a 
good share of success at our Fat Stock Shows. 
It has been frequently alleged that the excel- 
lence which has characterized the animals shown 
as Hereford grades heretofore was due largely 
to the admixture of Shorthorn blood — that, as 
a rule, they have not been any more properly 
grade Herefords than grade Shorthorns, and 
that they might as well have been shown in the 
one class as the other. The Hereford breeders 
have accepted the issue, and have declared their 



determination to make a bold stand and face 
the music hereafter with purely bred Here- 
fords at our Fat Stock Shows.' " 

Commenting on which the "Mark Lane Ex- 
press" said: 

"No doubt the Hereford men will be able to 
'face the music' with butchers as Judges; we 
shall see when the time comes. Meantime, we 
do not clearly understand the sense in which an 
animal called a grade Hereford could be with 
equal correctness described as a grade Short- 
horn. We can very well understand that an 
animal which has any proportion of Shorthorn 
blood in its veins, whether much or little, would 
have its merit — should it possess any — ascribed 
to the admixture of Shorthorn blood, by par- 
tisans who are blind to everything but their 
own hobby ; but whether such merit could be so 
claimed or not, there should be no question as 
to whether any particular animal was a grade 
of one breed or that of another. If the sire was 
of one breed and the dam of the other, the off- 
spring would not be a grade but a cross-bred. 
We cannot tell what the word grade may be 
imderstood to cover, as used in the United 
States, and it is not used at all in this country ; 
but we should take it to mean a step, or one of 
a scries of steps, in remove from a thorough- 
bred sire out of a mongrel dam. The question, 
then, is simply whether these animals at the 
Chicago show were sired by Hereford or by 
Shorthorn bulls. If, as we have already stated, 
they were from pure bred sire and dam of dif- 
ferent breeds, then they were crosses and not 
grades; and if the sire was a 'grade,' the off- 
spring would clearly class as a grade of the 
breed represented by the sire. As for the merit, 
let both parties claim it, but there should be 
no sort of question as to the classification. At 
our Fat Stock Shows cross-bred, grade and 
mongrel animals are all classed together as 
'crossed or mixed bred,' a very unsatisfactory 
arrangement to our thinking ; nevertheless it 
covers the whole ground, which the term 'grade' 
used alone evidently does not." 

In closing this chapter we give an extract 
from the "Breeders' Journal'' for June, 1883, 
written Just prior to our departure for England 
to purchase an addition to oxir Hereford herd. 

"We are glad to have an opportunity to reply 
to Mr. Sanders and Mr. Moninger's defense. 
AVe shall he absent for some months, and should 
anything come up in reference to this matter, 
and there is a delay to notice it, it must be 
attributed to this reason. It would be well for 
the 'Breeders' Gazette' to explain somewhat in 
reference to the teeth indications of age. Mr. 
Sanders claims to be the pioneer live stock 



512 



HISTORY or HEREEOED CATTLE 



journalist of America, and whetlier the claim 
is worth anything or not, he should sink his 
personal friendship and sympathy for Mr. 
Moninger in his higher duties as a journalist. 
Mr. Sanders knows, or may know, that no two 
or three-year-old steer can have eight teeth. 
The riale requiring the e.xamination of teeth to 
determine the ages of animals in the future 
was opposed vigorously by a large portion of 
the Shorthbrn element of the Board, and they 
were able to defeat such action at their Jan- 
uary meeting. It was, however, re-opened at 
their February meeting and carried. 

"In the issue that has been made between the 
Herefords and Shorthorns during the last ten 
years, the Shorthorn advocates have never at- 
tempted to meet the positions that we have 
taken, but have undertaken to throw mud and 
dirt instead. We advised a prominent member 
of the Board that, while we should do all that 
we could to advance and forward the success 
of the shows made under the auspices of the 
State Board of Agricidture of Illinois, until 
some of these questions which have given rise 
to a good deal of controversy were settled and 
disposed of we should not be an exhibitor. We 
received for a reply the following, which we 
feel at liberty under the circumstances to make 
public. We do withhold, however, the name 
of the writer. We will say that he is not a 
Hereford breeder and never has been, and so 
far as we know, never e.xpeets to be. He says : 

'■' 'I am anxious to see your herd well repre- 
sented at our large shows. You have done 
more to bring a very valuable and meritorious 
breed of cattle to the attention of breeders and 
the public than any other gentleman on the 
continent, and for the persistency in which you 
have pressed the just claims of a meritorious 
breed to a successful end, you deserve the praise 
of the whole agricultural community. Indeed, 
your zeal and determination in making known 
the real merit of your favorite breed of cattle 
has been and will be of untold benefit to the 
breeders of Shorthorns, for it has aroused them 
to the necessity of cultivating and developing 
the better qualities of the Shorthorns, instead 
of resting their claims on fancy pedigrees. 
Pedigree is all well enough in its place and 
for the purpose intended, but real and uniform 
merit has a value more important.' " 

We have done very little in bringing forward 
notices of commendations to our course in this 
controversy, but we have much pleasure in 
many letters we have received. The contest 
which we have had to meet has been one of 
trial and annoyance, but our work is done, and 
inures not to our benefit l)ut to the world, to 



the breeders of cattle and to the consumers of 
their product. 

Our exposure of these frauds was not to 
blacken or damage Mr. Moninger, or any other 
man, but to secure fair, impartial and intelli- 
gent judgment in passing upon the claims of 
the different breeds of cattle ; and we wish to 
state that we never considered Mr. Moninger 
a sinner above all others, but there came at 
last a feeling among e.xhibitors that they must 
protect themselves, because those who were 
managing the societies would not protect them. 
From this on the decisions were, as a rule, 
fairer, improving as the judgment and intelli- 
gence of the managers allow it. This is all that 
we asked and to this we had a right. 

The foregoing is a repetition of part of much 
similar matter published in the seventies and 
eighties that at this writing (1898) has already 
yielded much fruit of vast benefit to American 
agriculture. We cannot refrain in this con- 
nection from quoting a more recent correspon- 
dence. There had been a tendency on the part 
of the Board to lessen its vigilance, and on the 
18th of February, 1898, we wrote to Mr. J. 
Irving Pearec, then president of the Illinois 
State Board of Agriculture, calling his atten- 
tion to the necessity of adopting some definite 
rule to determine the ages of live stock to be 
exhibited at their annual fairs, and suggested 
that the teeth indications were the surest 
method of determining this question, and after- 
wards sent to him cuts of teeth of horses, cattle, 
sheep, and hogs, as adopted by the Royal Agri- 
cultural Society of England. In replying to 
my letter of the 18th, Mr. Pearce wrote as fol- 
lows : 

"Chicago, March 4th, 1898. 
"Mr. T. L. Miller, DeFuniak Springs, Fla. 

"Dear Sir: I have your letter of the 18th 
ult. before me and note with pleasure the in- 
terest you still continue to take in the annual 
exhibitions of the Illinois State Board of Agri- 
culture. I think it is not probable that there 
will be another Fat Stock Show held soon in 
Chicago, the Board acting very wisely in mak- 
ing fat stock divisions to the cattle and sheep 
departments of the State Fair. The carcass 
prizes, of course, have to be abandoned, as it 
would be impossible to save the meat without 
incurring more expense than the Board can at 
this time stand. On account of the weather 
and the likelihood of fat hogs to suffer from 
the three or four loadings required to get them 
to the Fair, it was thought impracticable to add 
a fat stock division to that department. 

"Your table giving descriptions of the mouths 
of cattle of different ages is very interesting to 



HISTORY F IT E K E F R D CATTLE 



)13 



mc, and doubtless will be to the Board, when 
1 have an opportunity to have it read at the next 
meeting. The rule of the Board of Agricul- 
ture at present is to aj>poiiit a jury of three 
veterinarians to pass upon tlie exhibit, as to the 
ages of cattle, sheep and iiogs competing for 
fat stock prizes. This rule has proven very 
satisfactory, and has on several occasions 
'jjassed out' an animal for being over age. If 
you have cuts of the mouths of cattle, sheep 
and hogs, and would care to loan them, our 
secretary would, I know, be glad to include 
them in our Annual Report of 1897, the copy 
of which is about ready for the printer. 

"The progress of the Fair for 1898 is, I be- 
lieve, beyond your anticipations, and I hope 
to have the pleasure of seeing you there. 
"Very truly yours, 

"J. Irving Pearce." 

Jlr. Pearce showed my letter to ex-President 
John P. Reynolds, and from ]\lr. Reynolds I 
received the following, dated March 10, 1898: 

"4G8 LaSalle Ave., Chicago. 
"Mr. T. L. Miller, 

"My Dear Sir : Our mutual friend, J. Irving 
Pi'arce, handed me your letter of 18th ult. to 
him, touching the show of fat stock at the 
State Fair, with request that I express to you, 
as I did to him, my a])proval of your sugges- 
tions as to the careful determination of the 
ages of the contesting animals by the examina- 
tion of their teeth. 

"Your demonstration years ago fully con- 
vinced me that your position on that question 
is absolutely correct, and that the adoption of 
your views by the Board is entirely practicable. 



In no other way does it seem to me possible 
to insure accuracy as to ages, which fair deal- 
ing and Justice to exhibitors demand. 

"I was under the impression that the speci- 
mens of teeth illustrating the subject, which 
you showed us at Springfield, were left in pos- 
session of the Board and placed in the museum. 
At least there ought to be a complete series 
there for comparison on occasion of controversy 
or differences of opinion among the Judges. I 
suggested to Mr. Pearce that possibly you might 
be induced to meet the Board at some con- 
venient time and give them a talk on the sub- 
ject. I know of none so well informed and 
prepared to impart the much-needed informa- 
tion as you are, and hope such opportunity may 
offer. Very truly yours, 

"John P. Reynolds." 

On the 20th of March I received another 
letter from President Pearce, as follows : 

"Chicago, March 20, 1898. 
"T. L. Miller, Esq., De Funiak Springs, Fla. 

"Dear Sir: Your good and interesting as 
well as instructive letter of the 9th came duly 
to hand. I am glad to know that you keep up 
your interest in cattle breeding and feediilg. 
You have done more than any one I know to 
further that interest and do not keep your light 
under a bushel. I am glad that you or your 
son are agreeing to furnish me with such in- 
formation that will enable us to adopt the teeth 
test. If you can get it to me by the 10th or 
11th of April I would be glad. Thanking you 
for your good letter, and hoping we may see 
you at our next Fair, I am, Yours truly, 
"J. Irving Pearce." 



514 



HISTORY OF HEKEFOKD CATTLE 



CHAPTER XLII. 

Mongrel Pedigrees Make Mongrel Breeds; Conclusively 
Demonstrated on the Range 



In December, 1881, Mr. Geo. W. Rust, 
(TJ3G'3) the eminent Shorthorn historian and 
authority, wrote an article for the '"Breeders' 
Gazette," Vol. I, page 29, on the Shorthorn 
Herd Book question, and its relation to the 
Shorthorn breed of cattle — their merits and de- 
merits. In January, 1882, in the "Breeders' 
Journal," Vol. Ill, page -13, we quoted from 
this article that Mr. Rust wrote. Mr. Rust 
took us to an account for quoting him incor- 
rectly, and that the matter might be fairly be- 
fore our readers we quoted Mr. Rust as pub- 
lished by the "Breeders' Gazette," on page 29, 
Vol. I, bee. 8, 1881, as follows: 

"The action of the Shorthorn Association at 
the late Jacksonville convention will commend 
itself to the great body of breeders, and the 
more as it comes to be discussed and under- 
stood. The Record of Pedigrees — the integrity 
with which, it is conducted and the degree of 
confidence placed upon it — exercises so direct 
an influence upon the prosperity of the breed- 
ing interest that there can be no questioning 
the fact that it should be in the hands and 
thoroughly under the control of the breeders 
themselves, acting in some associate capacity. 

''The record, as such, should have been insti- 
tuted in the first instance by them, but through 
the force of circumstances and the want of 
proper co-operation, this w-as not the case. But 
the interest is now so vast, and has been already 
so seriously prejudiced, and its extension likely 
to be so influenced in the future by the unfor- 
tunate conditions surrounding the Pedigree 
Records, that it is an imperative necessity, 'that 
the breeders should take these records under 
their own control and direction, purely as a 
matter of self ]irotection, if for no other reason. 

"There are many ways in which the unsatis- 
factory conditions of the Pedigree Records have 
prejudiced the interest of breeders, some of 
which it may be well to enumerate. 

"Through the larh of si/strm and method in 
the Herd Bool- (Shorthorn) itself, the editor 



[L. F. Allen, mentioned by Mr. Sotham in his 
history. Chapter 13 of this volume. — T. L. M.J 
has been unable to detect and exclude irnpruper 
pedigrees from record, and in a great many 
eases his judgment has been ivarped by his per- 
sonal interests to admit pedigrees and classes 
oi pedigrees ichicli a disinterested person would 
probably have excluded. As a result the records 
have fallen into such shape that none but an 
expert can tell much about them; and innumer- 
able pedigrees of a doubtful character have been 
given the sanction of a record. The general 
public, unable to discriminate betirem the true 
and the false, has, under these i ire h instances, 
been imposed upon by unsenipulous persons, 
who have not hesitated to sell, as genuine 
Shorthorn, animals that were anything but as 
represented. [A pretty incrimination, truly. — 
T. L. M.] And when a rascal sells an honest 
man such an animal, the mischief is broader 
than it first appears; for the honest man has a 
reputation upon which the produce of tliis 
spurious animal can be sold to others and scat- 
tered far and near into other herds, and as he 
is unconscious of the fraud that has been put 
u])on him, he innocently passes it along and 
involves his friends and his neighbors. 

"An extensive demand for bulls among farm- 
ers and in the grazing regions should bring a 
rich reward to the breeders who have cultivated 
and maintained the excellence of Shorthorn 
cattle, but they find themselves brought into 
competition with other people who have bulls 
to sell, which, in the unfortunate condition of 
the records, they are able to substitute for 
pure Shorthorns, and which they are glad to 
sell at such prices as would restrict, if not in 
many cases utterly destroy, the profits of legiti- 
mate breeding. Thus, the public record of 
pedigrees [Shorthorn. — T. L. M.], instead of 
being a means of public protection, as it should 
he. has come to be a means of public impo- 
sition. 

"But time tries everything; and the people 



H1ST()I!Y OF II EKE FORD CATTLE 



515 



who hfivr been ivipust'd iipuii iriLIt sjiurioi/.s cat- 
tle, ami those wlio have l)ec'n dei-eived into sup- 
posing they were introducing well bred bulls 
into their grazing herds, fail to realize the au- 
tieipations which they entertained. They had 
beard and read much of the excellence of Short- 
horn cattle, antl felt they had a right to realize 
something of it in their own herds. But time 
hroiiijht only di-mppointnient. Unfortunately, 
however, instead of placing the cause of the 
failure where it belonged, upon the Kecord, 
upon the rascals who, through it, had perpe- 
trated fraud upon them, and u])on the partic- 
ular animals which had been imposed uiion 
them — instead of placing the cause of failure 
where it belonged, they, still relying upon the 
fidelity of this record, the integrity of the 
men who sold them the cattle, and the purity 
of the animals themselves, committed the mon- 
strous error of ascribing their failure to a want 
of merit and excellence or adaptability in the 
great race of Shorthorn cattle. And their de- 
sire for improvement not being satisfied, there 
immediately sprung up a demand for some 
other breed of cattle which does have the power 
to favorably impress itself upon the stocks 
with which it is interbred. 

"The respective merits of different breeds of 
cattle need not be brought into this discussion, 
and wo\ild indeed be foreign to it; but the fact 
cannot well be dis])uted that the Shorthorn^ 
had such a start, both in respect to the estima- 
tion of the ])uhlic regarding their merits ami 
the number of animals and breeders, that the 
advancement of any other breed of cattle to a 
position of nominal rivalry .should have been 
very slow and difficult, if not impossible. And 
it would have been impossible, had the esti- 
mates of everyb'ody regarding the character and 
adaptability of Shorthorns been based upon ex- 
perience with genuine S2)ecimens of the bree<l. 
.\nd if the facts could be all ascertained, it 
would doubtless be found that those whose ex- 
perience with Shorthorn cattle is said to have 
been unsatisfactory in an intelligent effort to pui 
them to practical use, have not generally had in 
their possession well-bred representatives of the 
breed. They were imposed upon with impurehj 
bred cattle, and, disappointed in the results, 
have acquired impressions concerning the 
Shorthorns which not only do this whole 
Itreed of cattle, l)ut the breeders of it, great in- 
injustice. The extent of this injustice can 
scarcely be estimated ; hut in the grazing re- 
gions, individuals here and there are paying 
for bulls of other breeds two or three times the 
]irice for which Shorthorns can be ol)tained ; and 
among the general farmers everywhere through- 



out the country the same false impressions, 
springing from precisely the same source, are 
operating to discourage the purchase, restrict 
the demand for and depreciate the price of 
every Shorthorn calf that is dropped. 

"This unfortunate condition of affairs has 
been growing worse from year to year; and it 
is high time the breeders, acting through a 
regularly organized association, should move 
for a reformation of the record, and the pro- 
tection of their personal and pecuniary inter- 
ests, which are being so seriously prejudiced. 
To hesitate longer about applying a remedy 
would be little less than criminal. 

"There must he a public record of pedigrees. 
This record must command the' confidence of 
the public. To command this confidence the 
record must be conducted with honesty, with 
care, and without bias or prejudice of any sort. 
^•1 disltonest management cannot be guarded 
against as long as the record is the private 
property of one man, who can admit or reject 
(it pli'iisiirc any pc(li<jn'c (iffrrnl. Care in its 




K, H. SOTHAM. 
:hilIicothe. .Mo. 



compilation cannot be secured where the com- 
piler is responsible to no one but himself for 
its accuracy. It cannot be said to be free from 
bias where the editor who passes upon a pedi- 
gree receives a dollar if he approves of it and 
loses a dollar if he rejects it. It cannot be said 



516 



HISTORY OF HEEEFOED CATTLE 



to be free from prejudice where the rules for 
the admission of pedigrees are made to con- 
form to the views of one man, and the great 
body of breeders whose interests are affected 
have no means of expressing or enforcing their 
views of the matter. 

"Thus it is seen that to secure for the record 
01 pedigrees the character, reliability and qual- 
ity necessary to such a record, and also neces- 
sary for the protection and advancement of the 
interest of breeders, it must be controlled and 
published by an association of the breeders 
themselves — and in no other way can the de- 
sired end be obtained ; and as the matter is dis- 
cussed there can be no question about the great 
body of breeders approving the action had at 
the Jacksonville meeting of the association, 
looking for an association record. It can be 
made purer, more reliable, more accurate, more 
systematic, more methodical, and, therefore, 
more intelligible than under any merely private 
management. At the same time it will cost 
less money, and be a bond of union between 
breeders sufficient to create and maintain a 
strong and active association, the existeiice and 
work of which will be a source of pleasure and 
profit to all legitimate breeders. 

•'"There are some other features of the mat- 
ter referring to how the record should be con- 
ducted, what it should be, and how it can be 
reduced in bulk and cheapened in price, that 
are reserved to another occasion." 

This is Mr. Eust's entire article, from which 
we quoted, of which quotations Mr. Eust com- 
plained. 

We now give our quotation, as found on page 
43, Vol. Ill, of the "Breeders' Live Stock 
Journal" for January, 1882 : 

"Geo. W. Rust, — Many who read the above 
name will remember the man who bore it, as 
the editor and maker of the 'National Live 
Stock Journal,' a man who wrote fearlessly and 
ably, ,• AVe met an article of his written in the 
interest of the new movement for a Shorthorn 
Herd Book. In speaking of those who have 
endeavored' to improve their stock by using 
Shorthorn bulls, he says: 'They had heard 
and read much of the excellence of Shorthorn 
cattle, and felt they had a right to realize 
something of it in their own herds. But time 
brought only disappointment. And they com- 
mitted the "monstrous error of ascribing their 
failure to a want of merit and excellence or 
adaptability in the great race of Shorthorn cat- 
tle ; and their desire for improvement not be- 
ing satisfied, there immediately sprang up a 
demand among them for another breed of cattle 
which does have the power to favorably im- 



press itself upon the stock with which it is 
interin-cd.' 

"Quoting this much from Mr. Eusfs article, 
we will say that it is well stated, and that Mr. 
Rust has always been considered good authority. 
But it is due to Mr. Rust to say that he as- 
cribes this failure to the old Herd Books, and 
not to the Shorthorn race of cattle. But the 
fact remains, and the farmer or bullock 
breeder does not care whether this inabil- 
it}' of the Shorthorn race of cattle to im- 
prove the common or native cattle of the 
country comes from an original defect in 
the breed, or the admitting of bogus Shorthorns 
to record, and therefore giving them a diploma 
to go forth to deceive the purchaser ; or wliether 
it comes from speculative malpractice in breed- 
ing. The cause is immaterial — the fact remains 
the same. They fail to improve the stock upon 
which they are bred, and the breeders want 
something else — some breed that will favorably 
impress itself upon the stock upon which it is 
bred, if they have to pay two or three times 
as much as they can buy Shorthorns for. 

"Mr. Eust intimates that the manner to re- 
form and improve the Shorthorns is to estab- 
lish another record — of course, if there is to be 
any im])rovement it must be by recording only 
the best Shorthorns. 

"The Shorthorn men are in a bad fix, and 
they will find it difficult to get out of it ))y 
using Shorthorn bulls. Their only sure and 
quick remedy is by using Hereford bulls upon 
Shorthorn cows. Many have accepted our ad- 
vice and are taking this course, and are finding 
good results. 

"A prominent bull dealer who has been sell- 
ing Shorthorn bulls to Wyoming, advises the 
bull breeders to lireed Hcreforcl bulls to their 
Shorthorn cows if they wish a better price. 
And another equally prominent bull dealer and 
breeder, who has been selling bulls to Wyoming, 
says Herefords are a failure in Wyoming, hut 
he knows what he states is not true, and many 
of whom he has bought Shorthorn bulls are 
buying Hereford bulls, and some of them are 
getting thoroughbred cows as well. 

"We would advise the Shorthorn breeders to 
take the Hereford remedy and not to try and 
patch up a breed with consumptive Shorthorn 
bulls, and establish a cross-breed record. Start 
new, gentlemen. 

"^Ye will quote Mr. Rust again. He -says: 
'This unfortunate condition of affairs has 
grown worse from year to year, and it is high 
time the breeders, acting through a regularly 
organized association, should move for a reform- 
ation of the Eecord, and the protection of their 



HISTORY OK HEREFORD CATTLE 



517 



personal iind pecuniary interests^, which arc he- 
injj so seriously prejudiced. To hesitate 
loiificr about applying the reniedy would be lit- 
tle less than criiniiuU.' 

"Too late, (icoru;e. The horse is stolen ; no 
use Kicking the barn now." 

We now quote Mr. Hust, of February 7, 188-1, 
ill tile " Breeders' (iazette"': 

!ii:i!i:f()I!I>s vs. siiohtiiokxs — iiu. miller and 

11 U. lU'ST. 

"There is no form of misrepresentation more 
annoying to a man than to be perpetually mis- 
quoted, or to have one's expressions garbled and 
used in a different sense from that in which 
they were originally employed. And for a year 
or two past — I don't know how long — I have 
been annoyed by the persistent efforts of ilr. T. 
L. Jliller, in a paper published by him in the 
interests of his herd of Hereford cattle, and 
for the advancement of his private interests as 
a breeder, to place me in the position of having 
asserted certain things with reference to Short- 
horns and Herefords which I have never said or 
written, and which Mr. ililler knew I never in- 
tended to .say and did not believe. During the 
past fifteen or sixteen years I have had fre(inent 
occasion to write something of these cattle, and 
scanning this matter, Mr. ^Miller selects isolated 
sentences here and there, which, by separating 
from their context and using on a different 
subject from that of which I was treating, hv 
attempts to make me say, wdiat he would like 
to have me say. And not only this, but when 
my language does not entirely suit him, he 
does not hesitate to change it — to rewrite my 
sentences — to put parts of different sentences 
and paragraphs together; and make up such 
a statement as he pleases, and then to quote 
the whole as my words; and if they are my 
words, they must, of course, represent my opin- 
ions. In the last issue, now before me, in an 
article on 'Beef Breeds,' he says: 

" 'One has but to learn from the Shorthorn 
journals that their reputation is gone, and they 
may account for it by bad and dishonest prac- 
tices, bad breeding or any other reason. The 
fact remains, and there is no better expression 
in accounting for it than that of ^Fr. Geo. W. 
Rust, in a letter to the "Breeders' Gazette," in 
one of the earliest issues, in which he says that 
"farmers had heard much of the Shorthorn 
breed of cattle and of their ability to improve 
the common stock of the country, and having 
tried them and been disappointed, they were 
seeking some other breed that would accomplish 
this juirpose." ' 



'■'Now, 1 never wrote any such stuff to the 
'Gazette" and never expect to, until I lose all 
my sense of honesty, together with the use of 
my eyes and my ears. And I do not remember 
to have written but one article over my proper 
signature for the earlier numbers of the 'Ga- 
zette,' and I find but this one in looking over 
the files, and the above quotation bears evidence 
of having been twisted out of that article. It 
was on the subject of the Shorthorn Herd Book 
— an entirely different subject from that to 
which Mr. Miller applies my language, after 
having perverted it to suit his purpose. It will 
he found on page 29, of Vol. I ; and I trust I 
iiiav be given space for a brief extract or two. 




C. B. SMITH. 
Hereford Park, Fayette, Mo. 

"I had stated in substance, that the demand 
for bulls among farmers and graziers should 
bring a rich reward to those who had cultivated 
and maintained the excellence of Shorthorn 
cattle ; but breeders found themselves brought 
into competition with other ]ieoi)le with im- 
purely-bred [yet these were recorded as pure — 
T. L. M.] bulls to sell, which, in the unfor- 
tunate condition of the records, they were able 
to substitute and sell for pure Shorthorns. And 
then comes the following paragraph : 

"'But time tries everything; and the people 
irlio had hcen imposed upon irith spurious cat- 
tle, and those who had been deceived into sup- 
posing they were introducing well-bred bulls 



518 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



into their grazing herds, failed to realize the 
anticipations which they entertained. They had 
heard and read much of the excellence of Short- 
horn cattle, and felt they had a right to realize 
something of it in their own herds. But time 
hruught only disappoiiitme/nt. Unfortunately, 
however, instead of placing the cause of failure 
where it belonged, upon the Record, iipon the 
rascals who, through it, had perpetrated the 
fraud upon them, they, still relying upon the 
fidelity of the Record, the integrity of the men 
who sold them the cattle, and the purity of the 
animals themselves, committed the monstrous 
error of ascribing their failure to a want of 
merit and excellence or adaptability in the 
great race of Shorthorn cattle. And their de- 
sire for improvement not being satisfied, there 
immediately sprang up a desire among them 
for some other breed of cattle which does have 
the power to favorably impress itself ujion the 
stocks with which it is interbred.' 

"So far as the quotation Mr. Miller assumes 
to make from me is based upon anything I have 
said or written, it is based upon those portions 
of the above paragraph which are printed in 
italics. It will be observed that aside from the 
changing of expression, he purposely omits the 
context and matter coming between the portions 
which he pretends to take in such a way as to 
give my meaning precisely the reverse. 

"I need not comment upon the unfairness of 
this sort of misrepresentation, but I wonder 
whether it is necessary to make the same allow- 
ance for other things which the same gentleman 
states. In his own testimony about the value 
and merits of Hereford cattle, does he repre- 
sent the real bottom facts, as accurately as he 
does what I have written? He publishes from 
time to time testimonials and letters from peo- 
ple showing the excellence of Hereford cattle, 
and I wonder if he transcribes what they have 
written with the same candor and fairness as 
he displays in rewriting my sentences. 

"Is it necessary to resort to these tricks and 
subterfuges, to descend to this Jugglery of 
words, in order to make and sustain a reputa- 
tion for Hereford cattle? I hope not. I be- 
lieve the cattle to be better than one would infer 
from the tricks and tactics to which Mr. Miller 
finds it necessary to resort in their behalf. 
They ought to be good enough to make their 
way in public, holding up their heads with all 
other breeds, and standing solely upon their 
merits, with all the facts known, and every- 
body's experience and opinion fairly stated and 
considered. They ought to be good enough for 
this, but Mr. Miller seems to think they need 



some additional support, of a kind which he is 
specially qualified to give. 

"I do not suppose my opinion upon the com- 
parative merits of Hereford and Shorthorn cat- 
tle is worth anything to anybody, even if I 
have given the matter some attention, and for 
that very reason the misrepresentations of Mr. 
^Miller are the more exasperating. 

"Geo. W. Rust." 

our reply. 

We did not give the article in full from 
which we quoted in January, 1882, because of 
its length, and not because we were not willing 
to put all that Mr. Rust had said before our 
readers. We submit that the article as a whole 
is more damaging to the Shorthorns than the 
quotations that we made, and that we did Mr. 
Rust full and ample justice in the quotation 
by saying, "But it is due Mr. Rust to say that 
he ascribes this failure to the old Herd Books 
and not to the Shorthorn race of cattle. But 
the fact remains, and the farmer or biillock 
breeder does not care whether this inability of 
the Shorthorn race of cattle to improve the 
common and native cattle of the country comes 
from an original defect in the breed or the ad- 
mitting of bogus Shorthorns to record, and, 
therefore, giving them a diploma to go forth to 
deceive the purchaser, or whether it comes from 
speculative malpractice in breeding. The cause 
is imnuiterial — the fact remains the same." 

We have always had great respect for Mr. 
Rust's abilities, fearlessness and integrity, and 
we may have occasion to still further quote 
from what he may say or what he has said in 
times past. Now, if it is true that it is diffi- 
cult to tell where the bogus Shorthorns are, 
and where the true ones are, it is immaterial 
how this difficulty originated. That it exists, 
Mr. Rust himself admits, and lie is still writing 
in the current numbers of the "Gazette" on the 
inaccuracies, errors and frauds of the existing 
Herd Book, and in the article from which we 
quoted he was urging that the Herd Book 
should be in the hands and under the control 
of breeders for the purpose of purifying it of 
existing errors. Since that time the Short- 
horn Society has bought the existing Herd 
Books with all these widely advertised frauds 
and errors and adopted them without revision 
as the standard, and if a new beginner, or an 
old beginner, wishes to select an animal he 
must go to that record, and it is folly for Mr. 
Rust or anyone else to undertake to claim 
merit and value in the Shorthorn breed and 



in s T I! Y V II 1-; i; k f o i; d c a t t i. e 



519 



still admit tliat jjartius have ijccn si'lliiig bogus, 
iiii]iiiicly i)r(Ml aiiiiiials, ami that the Herd 
Books have made a record of these until it is 
dillieult to tell wliich are pure and which are 
imi)ure. 

\Ve should not take up so much room in this 
matter except for the high standing that ilr. 
Hust has occupied in the live stock interest of 
this country. No man knows so well the frauds 
that have been committed in the Shorthorn in- 
terest as docs Mr. Rust. No man understands 
better the great damage that has been done to 
the breed through the bad practices and specu- 
lative tendencies of those who have been lead- 
ers in the Shorthorn movement for years past, 
and it is true, we think, that no man has done 
more to expose these frauds than Mr. Geo. W. 
Rust, unless it is ourselves. And we will here 
refer to what we said of Mr. Rust in the Febru- 
ary nuinljer of the "Journal," page 77. In 
speaking of the Shorthorn Herd Book he says: 

"It affords no means of ascertaining any- 
thing beyond the names of the various animals 
in the successive crosses and the names of their 
breeders, and these mere names repeated in a 
meaningless way from volume to volume, six, 
seven, ten or twenty crosses, all detailed with 
careful jiersjiicuity, long lists of names of bulls 
and cows with no information as to whether 
either had anything l)eyond their paper record 
to show they were Shorthorns." 

Later he says : "I made the statement that 
while all public records were more or less de- 
fective, the system of Shorthorn records, while 
most important of all because of the number 
and amount of capital invested in the breed, 
was worst of all." 

We submit the foregoing facts to the public 
and our readers. The entire article from which 
we ((uoted is much more damaging to the Short- 
horn interest than where we left it. While it 
is true that the article was intended to discredit 
the Herd Book, it still brought out most clearly, 
and from the most authoritative source, the 
frauds and speculative practices of those per- 
sons who had been engaged in breeding and sell- 
ing Shorthorns, and the movement which Mr. 
Rust hoped would remedy these evils, instead of 
purging itself, has adopted the very record 
which he condemned. 

Mr. Rust when writing this correspondence, 
was residing in Boulder, Colorado, where he 
had unsurpassed opportunities to personally in- 
spect the sorry state Shorthorns got into when 
left to rustle for themselves on the open range. 
Truly a more forlorn spectacle cannot exist in 
the eyes of a cattleman than a lierd of Short- 
horns in winter on the rause: too shiftless to 



■ath. 



and literally waiting for 



Our quotations of Mr. Rust seemed to him 
to make it imperative that he get something in 
print derogatory to the Herefords to counteract 
the light we had set him in, and the following 
is re])ublished from the "Breeders' Journal" for 
June, 1884: 

(leo. W. Rust gives what he terms some 
"Practical Experiences" as to the Best Plains 
Cattle, and is somewhat personal in his re- 
marks ; but we give the following extracts from 
the article in question, which appeared in the 
"Breeders' Gazette" of May 29th, 1884. The 
article referred to commences by saying: 

"I always enjoy a talk with Mr. Carey 
Culver, whom I call my neighbor, although he 
resides twenty odd miles away, over on the Big 
Thompson, who, with his brother-in-law, Mr. 
^lahoney, a business partner, were among the 
earliest introducers 
of improved cattle 
u]ion the plains, be- 
cause he has had 
an experience ante- 
dating and cover- 
ing more years 
than anyone I 
know about, con- 
cerning the adapta- 
bility of different 
breeds of cattle for 
use on the plains, 
and he never fails 
to tell me some- 
thing which inter- 
ests me. 

"He was at my 
house recently and I had a more than usu- 
ally interesting cattle talk with him, in 
which he gave me a more connected ac- 
count of his cattle operations and more of the 
results of his experience and observation in 
breeding cattle than he had ever felt inclined 
to impart. I showed him a recent number of 
Mr. T. L. Jliller's Hereford paper (the 
'Breeders' Journal') in which that gentleman 
states : 'We think Messrs. Culver & Mahoney 
took Herefords first, but they felt that the price 
w-as so high that they could not afford to buy, 
and being able to buy Shorthorns and Scotch 
cattle they took them, and this has been true, 
we know, of some other firms.' 

"I expressed my sympathy to Mr. Culver 
at the poverty which prevented him from buy- 
ing such cattle as he felt he needed in his 
business." 

We can imagine Mr. Rust meeting Mr. 




520 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



Culver on the street and condoling with him 
upon -what Jlr. Miller had said as to his pov- 
erty, and inviting him to his house to show him 
the "Journal," and warming up on this subject, 
hoping thereby to elicit something in favor of 
the Shorthorn cattle. We would say in refer- 
ence to the foundation for our remarks on this 
that somewliere in 1874, we should think, we 
met Mr. Culver at his home, and in discussing 
the propriety of buying Herefords he said that 
we held them too high; that he could buy 
Scotch cattle for less, and he thought they 
would do him just as well. We will see further 
on whether Mr. Culver was correct in his con- 
clusions in 187-):. It is not Mr. Culver alone, 
but the ranchmen state distinctly that they can- 
not afford to buy thoroughbreds (and many of 
these are perhaps more wealthy than Messrs. 
Culver and Mahoncy), and therefore buy 
grades, and when they cannot afford to buy 
grade Herefords they take Shorthorns. 

Mr. Rust goes on to state that Messrs. Cul- 
ver and Mahoney bought, in 1873, Shorthorns, 
Scots and Herefords ; that they used these for 
about four years in their herd at home and in 
Wyoming, and at that time sold to Mr. Alex. 
Swan their lierd of range cattle at $24 per head, 
when the largest price that had been paid be- 
fore was $16, and that Messrs. Swan were so 
well pleased with the Hereford cross that they 
found in this herd that they said to Messrs. C. 
& M. that if they could get Hereford bulls and 
put them upon their cows they would buy all 
the bulls that they could raise, and as the result 
of this proposition Messrs. C. & M. bought two 
bulls for themselves and one for a neighbor, Mr. 
Blore; that Messrs. Swan took the crop of bulls 
and sold them to other parties (we presume at 
a profit). Two of the steers that went to 
Messrs. Swan in the herd sale, it is stated, went 
to John B. Sherman, of the Chicago Stock 
Yards, and were shown at the Fat Stock Show. 
(We think this is a mistake, but as to the qual- 
ity of the steers there is no question.) 

THE IIEREFOliD CROSS. 

Mr. Rust says the cross of the Hereford 
upon the Shorthorn cow was also productive of 
the most satisfactory results. These Hereford 
bulls that Messrs. C. & M. bought to meet the 
proposition of Swan Brothers to raise bulls for 
them were bought of T. L. Miller, and Mr. 
Culver persuaded Mr. Dick Blore to buy one 
also, and Mr. Blore has Iwen so well satisfied 
of the advantage of using a Hereford bull in 
preference to a scrub that he keeps a Hereford 
bull to this day, and he walks over to Mr. 
Culver's fence and points out to Mr. C. tlie 



grades from Culver's Shorthorn or high-grade 
Shorthorn cows as specimens of Hereford breed- 
ing. 

This is fairly quoting Mr. Rust on the Here- 
ford cross on Shorthorn cows as exhibited on 
the Big Thompson. We will now follow this 
herd still further in the hands of the Messrs. 
Swan. ilr. Rust says that these gentlemen 
(Messrs. C. & M.) bought these different breeds 
of bulls. Shorthorns, Scots and Herefords) in 
1873, and that in about four years they sold 
to Messrs. Swan for $24 a head, when the high- 
est price at which cattle had sold before had 
been $16 per head. This would have brought 
them to 1877. In that year Mr. Swan came to 
T. L. Miller and bought about fifty Hereford 
bulls, and we presume and have always under- 
stood that his purchase was occasioned by the 
very good results that he found of the Here- 
ford cross upon the Culver & Mahoney herd, 
and it appears at the same time he made a 
proposition to C. & M. for all the Hereford 
bulls they would raise. 

At about the same time he made a contract 
with Mr. C. M. Culbertson for his crop of 
grade bull calves, but took a lot of thorough- 
breds, and in a year or two after the first pur- 
chase from T. L. Miller he bought another 
lot of fifty, and again in 1881 or '82 a similar 
lot. These were some of the results that grew 
out of Messrs. Culver & Mahoney's purchase of 
Shorthorns, Scotch and Hereford thoroughbred 
bulls in 1873, and the Swan interest was so well 
pleased with the result of these operations that 
in the fall of 1882 they went to England and 
the result was the purchase of nearly four hun- 
dred cows to establish a herd of thoroughbreds 
at or near Cheyenne, and again in 1883 they 
brought over another large shipment, reaching 
to nearly, or quite, three hundred head. Thev 
are probably using in their different lierds five 
hundred thoroughbred Hereford bulls, and a 
thousand or luore high grade Herefords. 

Messrs. Culver & Mahoney ought to be 
very proud of the great results' that have come 
from their purchase in 1873, and we hope that 
the Hereford I)reoders of America will appreci- 
ate these efforts of Messrs. C. & M. and that 
they will not be unmindful of their obligations 
to Mr. Geo. W. Rust for opening up such a 
mine. Mr. Rust says, near the close of his 
article, "I should be pleased to gather from 
the 'Gazette' the real experience of the other 
firms which are quoted as not buying Here- 
fords for the same financial reasons, and still 
more gladly would I give if the true inward- 
ness of the thing could be arrived at, the private 
opinions and the liottom experiences of those 
who did buy Herefords and are suspected 



IIISTOHY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



521 



of boiiio; constrained to stay witli them for tlie 
same finaneial reasons." Perhaps the "(iazette" 
and its Shovthorn jjatrons were satisfied with 
what Mr. Rust liad already done, and asked him 
to leave the matter for Mr. Miller or someone 
else to develop. 

Near hy Messrs. Culver & ifahoney's home 
^Ir. (ieo. Zweck has a herd of cattle, and the first 
hulls that we sent to the plains in 18T3 were 
sold to Mr. Geo. Zweck, a man who is fully 
posted in the cattle business. These bulls were 
I'lato 590, of American Hereford Record, Duke 
of Beaufort 744, A. H. R. All of these bulls 
were in ilr. Zweck"s possession doing good 
service up to the fall of 1888. 

Plato when sold was three years old, 'and in 
the summer or fall of 1882 for some cause 
that we do not now recollect, died, but not be- 
cause he was not vigorous, at tlie age of 13 
years. Both of the other bulls were still in 
service, the Duke of Beaufort, 10 years old, 
and Hervey, 11 years old. 

In 187G or 1877 we sold to Mr. Zweck an- 
other bull, and Jlr. Zweck won as a premium 
for the best show of grade Herefords another 
Hereford bull that we offered at the Colorado 
State Fair, taking five bulls in all. One of 
these last bulls ilr. Zweck lost by eating poison 
weed, and the other wore out to a good old age 
in his service; the other. Major, dropped in 
1877, by Old Success, worked over ten years 
and was a bull in which Mr. Zweck took a great 
deal of pride. From these bulls we understand 
that Mr. Zweck has made very satisfactory sales 
of bulls, from that time to the present, and at 
last report we had of him he had something 
over 1.000 good grade Hereford heifers, the get 
of these bulls, and he was negotiating in the 
fall of 1882 for ten thoroughbred Hereford 
bulls to put into his herd. We nrged upon 
Jlr. Zweck from time to time that he get new 
hulls for this herd, and have said to him that 
it would inure very largely to his income if he 
would do so. Mr. Rust refers to ^Ir. Geo. 
Zweck in the following langiiage : 

"A neighlior of Mr. Culver's, Mr. Geo. Zweck, 
says the way to breed good Herefords is to use 
Shorthorn cows, hut perhaps Zweck ought not to 
be cpioted, although he has handled and bred 
the Herefords and their grades quite extensively 
for many years, for George is now getting on 
the fence with some leaning towards Short- 
horns, and has lost caste with T. L. iHller, and 
perhaps other authorities, and Geo. F. Morgan 
declares that ifr. ililler asserts that Zweck 
never had any pure Herefords from him. How- 
ever this may be, Mr. Zweck has had three or 
four bulls from ^Ir. Miller. One of them. 



Plato, had little short horns, standing forward 
and inclined inward, and everybody always said 
he had Shorthorn blood in liim, although Zweck 
always stoutly maintained that he was straight 
Hereford and obtained at headquarters of the 
breed. Another Hereford bull owned by Mr. 
Zweck was a prize bull offered by Mr. Miller for 
the best display of Hereford calves at the Colo- 
rado State Fair. Zweck made a large display 
and carried off the prize in high glee. He is 
especially displeased at being told now that his 
calf was not pure." 

To this our answer at the time in the "Breed- 
ers' Journal" was: 

"Xow, all that Sir. Rust says about Mr. 
Zweck's bulls not being pure is made up from 
Shorthorn sources. Mr. Zweck is not on the 
fence. Mr. Morgan never said that Mr. Miller 
asserted that he never sold Mr. Zweck any thor- 
oughbred bulls; ]\Ir. Miller never asserted any 
such thing, and Sir. George Rust never believed 
when he gave these statements currency that 
they were true ; and we here give the pedigrees 
of each of these four bulls, and if Mr. Zweck 
will give us the name of the other bull we will 
pultlish that. 

"Plato (4843) 590, A.H.R. Bred by G. W. 
Byers, Nevada, Ohio; property of Geo. Zweck, 
Longmont, Colo.; dropped Oct. 27, 1870. Sire, 
Guelph 401 (2023); dam. Beauty 2d 3; g.d. 
Beauty 1st 7; g.g.d. Duchess 15; g.g.g.d. Count- 
ess 31- g.g.g.g.d. Venus 4th 61; g.g.g.g.g.d. Ve- 
nus 3d 109; g.g.g.g.g.g.d. Venus 2d 175; 
g.g.g.g.g.g.g.d. Venus 251. 

"Duke of Beaufort (4527) 744. Bred by J. 
Humphries, Elyria, Ohio; property of Geo. 
Zweck, Longmont, Colo. ; dropped March 15, 
1872. Sire Marquis of Bath 745 (47(54) ; dam 
Louisa 598 ; g.d. Princess Louisa 595 ; g.g.d. 
Princess Royal 488 ; g.g.g.d. Victoria 478 ; g.g. 

g.g.d. 491 ; g.g.g.g.g.d. 

503 ; g.g.g.g.g.g.d. 518. 

"Hervey (4644) 815. Bred by T. L. Miller, 
Beecher, HI. ; property of Geo. Zweck, Long- 
mont, Colo. ; dropped March 6, 1873. Sire 
Sir Charles 543 (3434) ; dam Sophia 754; g.d. 
Blossom 532 ; g.g.d. Duchess 15 ; g.g.g.d. Count- 
ess 31; g.g.g.g.d. Venus 4th 61; g.g.g.g.g.d. 
Venus 3d 109; g.g.g.g.g.g.d. Venus 2d 175 ; g.g. 
g.g.g.g.g.d. Venus 251. 

"Major 1027. Bred hy T. L. ]\Iiller, Beecher, 
HI.; propertv of Geo. Zweck, Longmont, Colo.; 
dropped Feb. 2, 1877. Sire Success 2 (5031) ; 
dam Fanny 541 ; g.d. Princess Mary 786 ; g.g.d. 
Princess Roval 488 ; g.g.g.d. Victoria 478 ; g.g. 

g.g.d. — 491 ; g.g.g.g.g.d. 503 ; 

g.g.g.g.g.g.d. 518. 

"Every Hereford breeder, or anv man that is 



533 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



at all acquainted with Hereford breeding, will 
see by these pedigrees that they were among the 
very best breeding in England or America, and 
with these remarks we leave Mr. Rust to make 
what he can out of it. 

"Near by Messrs. Culver & Mahoney's and 
Mr. Zweck's, say twenty-five miles distant, on 
the road to Denver, lived a Mr. Church, who 
bred Herefords before Messrs. Culver & Ma- 
honey or ilr. Zweck, and we jircsume their 
preference for Herefords was largely from what 
they saw of the results of Church's work. Of 
Mr. Church Mr. Rust says, in speaking of a 
cow that had come into the possession of Mr. 
Culver from the Church herd : 

" 'Speaking of the Church Hereford cow 
brings to mind the bad luck of the Church herd. 
It was a very fine one, but the grass on the 
home range did not appear to maintain it well 
and so Mr. Church moved it over onto the rich 
grass on the slope west of the range, and the 
next winter most of them died. I don't know 
that Shorthorns would have done any better 
under the same circumstances, but no breed 
could have done much worse.' 

"We would say in reference to Mr. Church 
that he bought from Mr. Stone of Canada, a 
Shorthorn and a Hereford bull, as early as 
1870, possibly earlier, and he went over into 
York State and bought two Hereford cows, one 
of which had a Hereford bull calf by her side. 
This comprised ilr. Church's investment in 
Herefords, and his experience as between the 
Hereford and Shorthorn led him to discard the 
Shorthorn and use Herefords solely. His ranch 
was twelve miles north of Denver on the road to 
Longmont. He bred tlicm on that range up to 
the fall of 1874, we think, and the range be- 
coming short he moved them east of Denver 
to Hugo; but before moving, he took out two 
or three car loads of three-year-old grade Here- 
ford steers that he sold. They went to Buffalo 
and sold on the market with no other feed than 
they had taken from the short range, at seven 
cents a pound live weight, and brought an aver- 
age of some $90 at three years old. 

"When Mr. Church moved his cattle to Hugo 
other ranchmen made great objections to their 
coming onto that range ; but they went, and in 
the spring following at the round-ups the 
Church cattle were in so much better condition 
than any others that nearly all of the ranchmen 
on that range and in those round-ups became 
converted to the Hereford breed of cattle. Mr. 
Church stayed on the range near Hugo until 
he moved his cattle to the west side of the 
mountains. We have always understood that 
the object in moving was to reach a point where 



he could keep his own herd by themselves and 
make better improvement, and get the benefit 
of his own bulls more fully than he could on 
tlie range near Hugo. 

'■'We have met a gentleman from the range 
since this letter of Mr. Rust's was published, 
and have learned that Mr. Church, in moving 
his cattle, reached a point of the range which 
the Indians had burnt over, and relying upon 
the hardihood of the cattle, he started to drive 
them through this burnt range and get beyond 
it to where he could find feed ; that he drove 
for some six days without feed or water, and 
then, not knowing how much further he would 
liave to go, he turned and drove them back. 
This resulted in a great loss, and the next win- 
ter was a severe one, with heavy snows, whicli 
prevented the cattle getting any feed, and a 
large portion of the remaining cattle were lost, 
owing largely to their sufferings on the burnt 
range. This we suppose to be a true version of 
the Church loss, but, of course, Mr. Rust did 
not understand anything about these facts, or 
he would have stated them and not left his 
Shorthorn friends to build an argument on the 
loss being occasioned by ordinary circumstances. 
So much for that part of Mr. Rust's state- 
ment. 

"There is in Estes Park, perhaps thirty or 
forty miles from Messrs. Culver & Mahoney's, 
another herd of Hereford cattle, known as the 
'James herd of Herefords.' There have been 
connected in this herd with Mr. James Messrs. 
Ewart & Hart, and the last season Messrs. 
Ewart & Hart bought out the James interest in 
the Herefords, as we understand. Mr. Hart 
was at Beecher last fall with a view to buying 
Hereford bulls to give fresh blood to this herd. 
He did not l)uy at Beecher, but we understand 
that he bought elsewhere, and he proposed to 
sell the bulls that they had been using. 

"In the May number of the 'Journal,' on page 
305, Messrs. Ewart and Hart offer a choice lot 
of grade Hereford bulls well bred, well marked, 
and in fine condition, and four choice thorough- 
bred Hereford bulls for sale ; and in sending 
their advertisements they said nothing of any 
losses that might have been had." 

In the winter Mr. James was at Beecher look- 
ing for Hereford liulls, and (1j 368) was buy- 
ing a large numVicr of cows and heifers in Iowa, 
largely of the Shorthorn blood, to take to Colo- 
rado to establish a new herd. He did not buy 
his Hereford bulls at Beeclier, but he bought 
them of Mr. T. J. Lewis, of Odebolt, Iowa. 

Mr. Rust says: "The James herd of Here- 
fords and higli grades in Estes Park is said to 
have lost 100 head out of 140 during the past 



1 1 I S T () i; Y () F JI ERE E R D CAT T L E 



523 



winter." jiiul lie says lie "does not know that 
Shorthorns would liavo done any hetter under 
the same cireuinstances, but no breed could 
have done niueh worse." 

We wrote a letter of inquiry to ^Ir. James 
which, with his reply, we give as follows: 

Bekcher, \hh., May ;51, 1881. 
Mr. W. E. James, Hotel-keeper," Estes Park, 
Colo. : 
Dear Sir: — I have a report written by Geo. 
W. liu.st, from Boulder, that the James herd of 
]lereror(ls and high grades have lost 100 out 
of 11(1 head of cattle. Please advise me what 
foundation there is for such report, and the 
circumstances and oblige. I understand you 
bought a lot of thoroughbred bulls from Mr. 
T. J. Lewis, of Odebolt, Iowa. Any informa- 
tion in reference to the cattle interest will be 
appreciated. My bulls have all been sold that 
are old enough for service. 

Very truly yours, T. L. Miller. 

EsTES Park, Colo., June 7, 1884. 
5Ir. T. L. ililler, Beecher, 111. : 

i[y Dear Sir: — Yours of May 31st just at 
hand and contents noted. I know no reason 
for sucli a report, as there has been no such loss 
in Estes Park. In fact, 100 head will more 
than cover the whole loss of the Park. My loss 
was twenty-seven head out of 144 head of Iowa 
heifers, and most of those were heifers that got 
injured in shipping. Yet, we have had a very 
hard winter for this part of the country. I 
believe the loss of cattle to be very large in 
North Park, as the snowfall was very heavy 
in that Park and laid on the ground for about 
three months. Our Hereford cattle have done 
very well indeed the past winter, and there has 
been a lively inquiry for young animals, both 
thoroughlired and grades, but they could not 
be found sufTicient for the demand, which ought, 
and shortly will, stimulate the breeding of 
more Hereford cattle. 

Yes, I with my friend, Mr. P. J. Pauly, Jr., 
bought fifteen head of thoroughbred- Herefords 
from T. J. Lewis, of Odebolt, Iowa, and I wrote 
you from ^larshalltown, Iowa, of my purchase, 
stating that I should not be back to Beecher on 
that trip. T think I wrote you on the 20th day 
of December. Glad to see that the demand has 
been good for thoroughbred stock. I remain 
yours sincerely in anything" that can be truth- 
fully said or done for the white-face cattle. 
Y'ours respectfully, W. E. JvirHS. 

In Yf)]. Y, page 593. of the "Breeders" Jour- 
nal," we republished the following letter from 



ilr. \V. E. Campbell to the "Breeders' Gazette": 
"Much has been said of late through your 
columns in reference to Shorthorns and Here- 
fords as range cattle by Geo. \V. Pust, and others 
who have had little practical experience with 
rival breeds upon the plains, where cattle are 
compelled to rustle for a living, not wholly 
when the air is soft and balmy and the grass 
green and abundant, but when it is dry and 
hard and even covered with snow for days and 
perhaps weeks at a time, the thermometer indi- 
cating 20 degrees or more below zero, driven 
before pitiless winds or forced to seek shelter 
beneath the rugged banks of hollows and ra- 
vines, with only snow for a bed and an angry 
sky for a cover. These are the conditions 
through which all range cattle are compelled 
to pass or perish; and this is why our ranch- 
men have been testing the merits of rival breeds, 
and have generally adopted the Herefords on 
account of their hardihood, activity and self- 
reliance in time of need. This, coupled with 
their aptitude to fatten on grass without other 
feed, and their wonderful impressiveness as 
sires, will always make the white-faces more 
popular than any other breed with our ranch- 
men. 

"I was once as staunch an advocate of Short- 
horns as my friend Mr. Bust. Being familiar 
with them from early childhood I almost lived 
and swore by them, and I was one of the first 
men to attempt the improvement of Texas and 
range cattle in the Indian Territory by the use 
of thoroughbred Shorthorn bulls. My atten- 
tion was first called to the Herefords by the 
early articles of T. L. Miller in a paper pub- 
lished in your city, and though I thought his 
claims very extravagant and imreasonable, I 
decided to test their merits at my own expense 
for my own satisfaction and, notwithstanding 
the abuse and criticism I then received for us- 
ing my own sweet counsel, I have never had 
cause to regret my experiments, one of which 
I will relate to your readers just as the facts 
occurred, and thev can draw their own eon- 
elusions. 

"After making a number of small tests that 
W'ore decidedly favorable to the Herefords, I 
determined to test the breeds thoroughly on a 
rigid and extended plan. I therefore went East 
and bought a carload of twenty-six Shorthornn 
and a carload of twenty-five Herefords and 
shipped them on the same train to the terminus 
of the railroad, and then drove them some 
ninety miles to my ranch, where they were all 
turned loose with my ranch cattle. When the 
heat of sumnuT came the Shorthorns could be 
seen standing along the streams or in the shade, 



52-t 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



while the Hercfords were busy grazing or rust- 
ling around, endeavoring to obey the first and 
most important commands of scripture — in ref- 
erence to multiplying and replenishing the 
earth. Both breeds were allowed to remain on 
the open range the entire winter without any 
artificial food or shelter of any kind, and were 
compelled to rustle for a living or die. The 
winter proved to be one of unusual severity, 
and before spring came almost fifty per cent of 
my beloved Shorthorns had died, and the re- 
mainder were but reeling skeletons. With the 
Herefords the test was perfectly satisfactory, 
and every one of the twenty-five showed up in 
good shape, a number of them being fit for the 
butcher's block by the 10th of May. This and 
previous tests satisfied me that Mr. Miller's ex- 
travagant claims for the white-faces were noth- 
ing short of facts when applied to them as range 
cattle: and I have been a friend to them ever 
since. 

"Notwithstanding the foregoing I am still a 
friend of the Shorthorns, and think them a 
grand and useful race of cattle in their proper 
place ; but experience compels me to differ with 
my friend Rust, and to say most emphatically 
that their place is not on the plains. The Here- 
ford bull is king of the range, and Mr. Rust 
will live to hear him bellow triumphantly over 
every grazing region from the snow-capped 
peaks of Mexico on the south to the British 
possessions on the north. 

"(Signed) W. E. Campbell (][ 369)." 

Few men have had the long and varied expe- 
rience of Mr. Campbell, and at this writing 
(1898) he is still ranching and breeding Here- 
fords in the vicinity of his early range experi- 
ence. It is a pleasure to us, giving the utmost 
satisfaction, to recall the coixntless friends of 
the Hereford, who have become their staunch 
advocates after ample experience with other 
breeds, that cannot be marred by even a very 
few contrary incidents. We have yet to learn 
of a single Hereford man who has abandoned 
his breed for another. 

We commend this correspondence of Mr. 
Campbell's, selected for republication here from 
countless articles of less merit, because he was 
and is a master of the range business and he 
deals directly with facts. We ever had a con- 
tempt for fliowcry or caustic rhetoric such as 
is here used by Mr. Rust and has lieen used by 
Shorthorn advocates constantly and by some 
ephemeral champions of the Herefords. 

This correspondence came out in the "Breed- 
ers' Gazette" and was republished in the 
"Breeders' Journal" in 1884: 



To the "Gazette" : 

Theories invented by professional "quill 
drivers" look very well on paper; but as I am 
not skilled in this profession I am compelled 
to rely wholly upon facts and actual experience, 
to judge of the superiority of any breed as 
range cattle, and therefore will not attempt to 
theorize upon Mr. G. W. Rust's theories in your 
issue of October 2, but will cheerfully give 
further details as per his request, though I fear 
his controversies with Mr. T. L. Miller have so 
embittered him against the Herefords that it is 
impossible for him to look upon them or their 
friends with any degree of fairness. So far as 
I could learn, the twenty-five Herefords and the 
twenty-six Shorthorns referred to in my former 
article were fed and handled in substantially 
the same manner up to the time of their pur- 
chase, and were allowed to run in open pasture 
for sixty or seventy days prior to their ship- 
ment, after which they were turned in with 
my range cattle as heretofore stated. Now it 
may be that the twenty-five Herefords rustled 
round, and selected all the choicest morsels of 
grass and therewith put on a thick armor of 
tallow which withstood the fiercest storms of 
winter, while the unsuspecting Shorthorns were 
quietly snoozing. 

But be this as it may, twelve of the Short- 
horns died and the remaining fourteen were as 
poor as crows, and had not shed their old coat 
when the spring round-ups came. 

On the other hand, every one of the twenty- 
five Herefords lived and were in good flesh, and 
as sleek as moles at the roundup. If one l)reed 
is as hardy as the other, as Mr. Rust claims, 
why was the mortality so great among the Sliort- 
horns when there was none at all among the 
Herefords, on the same range and under pre- 
cisely the same circumstances? 

I am willing to admit my experience is some- 
what limited, as I have only handled cattle on 
the plains for sixteen short years, and that tests 
made by such an amatciir as myself are very 
tame affairs, when compared with the theories 
of one who has had long experience in cattle 
matters in the way of quill-driving. (^ 370.) 

In conclusion I will say, for five or six years 
past I have been steadily supplanting my 
Shorthorn bulls with Whitefaces, and last year 
alone I disposed of over 200 head of the aris- 
tocratic "red, white and roans." and hope to 
never own another. The Herefords are good 
enough for me, either on the broad prairie 
ranges, in our tame pastures, or in the feed 
yard. 

Bv the way, I will state that I fed a car load 
of Shorthorn bulls last winter, including one 



1 1 1 s T () in' ( ) I' II !•: R 1^: i-- ( ) r d c a t t i: e 



525 



clit<al)lc'(l Hereford, all of which had l)tH.'n- in 
service on my ranch u]) to November 1st. The 
Hereford received an injury al)out October 15th 
which resulted in a stricture,and in conswjuence 
had to be thrown, cut open and operated upon 
by a veterinarian at three dill'erent times. Not- 
withstanding these disadvantages and the tor- 
tures connected therewith, he laid on tlcsh much 
more rapidly than the Shorthorns, and when 
the lot were sold in Kansas City, the Hereford 
brought one and thrt'e-(]uarter cents more per 
pound than the Shorthorns, and all were sold 
to the same party. 

Mr. Rust will in all probability theorize 
again, and theoretically prove to your readers 
that these surgical operations were an advant- 
age to the Hereford, that it relieved him of a 
vast amount of bad blood which enabled him to 
fatten more rapidly and evenly, and to lay on a 
sui)erabundance of flesh in the most valuable 
I)arts, and had it not been for*this favorable 
chain of circumstances the Shorthorns might 
have out-sold him in the market. 

W. E. Campbell. 

TII.\T EXPERIENCE OF MR. CAMPBELL'S. 

To the "Gazette": 

I have not, I believe, manifested any dis- 
position to underrate the experience or ques- 
tion the accuracy of your correspondent, ]\Ir. 
W. E. Campbell. And having mentioned 
my name, in relating his experience with 
Hereford and Shorthorn cattle, in such a 
way as to invite my examination of his state- 
ments, I think he should have done me the 
courtesy to have treated what I said in reply 
with the same candor with which I treated what 
he had said. 

The only object I have in the discussion of 
these questions, and the only object anyone 
should have, is to get at the facts. If there is 
.)ne breed of cattle superior to all others, it 
■would be interesting to ascertain which breed 
it is; but we will never arrive at that knowl- 
edge without a most careful scrutiny of all the 
facts and experiences which lead up to it. If 
there are localities where one breed is more 
successful than other breeds, or purposes for 
which one breed is better adajited than other 
breeds, these facts should be shown, and the;^ 
can only he arrived at by a patient and candid 
examination of the experiences of individuals. 
What I have said about the comparative claims 
of the several breeds has been dictated by a 
desire to bring out the real bottom facts, in 
each case, and 7iot from any desire to advance 
personal peenniary interests, for I have none 
whatever in the issue. (]| 371.) 



Mr. Campbell states that he turned out a car 
load each of Hereford and Shorthorn bulls ; the 
Jierel'ords grazed well during the summer, while 
the Shorthorns did not. The next winter was 
one of unusual severity, and about half the 
Shorthorns died, while all the Herefords came 
through in excellent shape. This I believe was 
about the substance of the statement of Mr. 
Campbell to which my attention was directed,, 
and I have no doubt every word of it is true, 
and had it stood alone by itself I might have 
been disposed to accept it as conclusive on the 
point of indicating a superiority of one breed 
over another in hardiness, but it did not stand 
alone, and I was bound to consider it in connec- 
tion with other facts and experiences. In the 
first place, it appeared from Mr. Campbell's 
own statement that ho had for many years pre- 
viously used Shorthorn bulls, and wliile he 
claimed to have found the Herefords more sat- 
isfactory, he did not state that in his long ex- 
perience of sixteen years, he had ever before 
experienced losses anywhere approximating the 
case under review, so that even in his own ex- 
perience this case seemed to be exceptional. 
Then I knew scores and scores of men who had 
used Shorthorn bulls with satisfaction upon the 
plains, and without any special loss, and some 
who preferred them to Herefords after having 
given both a trial. And under all the circum- 
stances I could not but regard the case detailed 
by Mr. Campbell as exceptional and its results 
as due to something else besides a difference in 
the hardiness of the breeds. And I suggest 
that perhaps it was caused by some difference 
in the manner in which the tw^o lots of bulls 
had been raised and treated; that animals 
reared mainly upon corn, are not well adapted 
for immediate rarige use, as compared with ani- 
mals raised upon grass. But it was mere theory, 
it is true, in my supposition, that this may 
have been the trouble here, for it may have been 
something else, but my theory appears, for all 
I can see, to be as good as ]\Ir. Campbell's, for 
he does not say he had any positive knowledge 
on this subject, or that having it in mind he 
made special inquiry on that point in purchas- 
ing. He simply does not know or has not been 
informed that there was any difference in the 
previous handling, and on the strength of that 
theorizes there might have been. But Mr. Camp- 
bell, if he desires to impress his conclusions 
upon the public as good, safe rules for other 
men to follow in their business, will surely not 
attempt to deny that the manner in which bulls 
are raised is a matter of some importance, and 
tlie attempt to sneer at it in mere theory will, 
I am satisfied, prejudice his position more than 



526 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



mine. People in this country who have ex- 
amined and tested the matter to their satisfac- 
tion, are firmly convinced that the manner in 
which bulls are raised does have very much to 
do with their adaptability for plains use, and if 
the matter is new to Mr. Campbell I trust he 
will not dismiss it as a mere theory biit, like an 
impartial investigator, look into it with the 
hope that after sixteen years' experience he may 
yet find "some strange things under the sun." 

There was another thing referred to in my 
previous letter, to which Mr. Campbell makes 
no reply. I referred to the necessity in all 
cases of comparisons, where accurate results 
were desired, that there should be an equality 
of blood. Whether it was secured in this case 
or not, the public does not know, for Mr. Camp- 
bell gives no information as to where or of 
whom he purchased either class of bulls or 
whether they were lioth the best and most robust 
of their kind. 1 know Mr. Campbell has an 
ambition to own as good Herefords as anybody, 
and I understand his herd will compare favor- 
ably with the best in the land, and if I am not 
mistaken in the matter he has had an ambition 
for place as a successful exhibitor of Herefords 
where the competition was the strongest. This 
is, of course, all right, and I am glad it is so. 
But when he was using Shorthorns, did he have 
an equal ambition to own the best of that breed, 
and was his experience based upon careful tests 
as to what the best could do? 

Mr. Campbell expresses a fear that my "con- 
troversies with T. L. Miller have so embittered 
me against the Herefords that it is impossible 
for me to look upon them or their friends with 
any degree of fairness," and yet, in the very ar- 
ticle to which he is replying, I had referred 
to having seen a few days before "a grand herd 
of Hereford cows and calves at grass" at George 
Morgan's, and in the issue before that, had re- 
viewed that Hereford herd at length, and in 
such terms as to elicit from Mr. Morgan person- 
ally the expression that it was the fairest and 
best article on a Hereford herd of cattle, which 
had appeared in the American press for many 
a day (^372). However that may be, Mr. 
Campbell may rest assured that no man can so 
embitter me against any breed of cattle, that I 
cannot and will not recognize their merit when 
I see them. Mv experience is not so great, per- 
haps, as that of Mr. Campbell, and I may not 
perceive some things so quickly, but while I 
may not agree with him in many things, I trust 
he will not regard me as seeing but one side 
of any question. T should have had no con- 
troversies with T. L. Miller, nor had occasion 
to say many things which have been said, if he 



had not sought by persistent misquotation to 
make me appear as denying all merit in the 
Shorthorn, just as lately he would place me in 
the attitude of denying all merit in the Herc^ 
ford. I am certainly entitled to standing room 
somewhere, and as I have never been the enemy 
of either I have the right to occupy my own 
ground as the friend of l)oth, criticizing accord- 
ing to what I believe fair and just, and accord- 
ing to merit in all cases, whether as to the cattle 
themselves or the methods of those who are 
jmshing their claims before the public, and en- 
tirely in this spirit of independence and im- 
partiality I must again repeat that so far as I 
have been able to make up my mind, from the 
experience of a large number of people whose 
opinions I have sought on this question (and 
who have not been altogether harmonious in 
their views, some holding to one breed and 
some to another), I cannot see that there is any 
perceptible grfftmds for honest preference be- 
tween Herefords and Shorthorns for plains use 
on the score of hardiness ; that is, where animals 
themselves are in all respects equal and equally 
conditioned for the work. But it is undeniable 
that there are some Herefords better for this 
purpose than some Shorthorns ; and it is equally 
true that there are some Shorthorns better for 
this purpose than some Herefords. But while 
I believe both to be sufficiently hardy, there 
may be some difl'erence as to their feeding qual- 
ities, to which I have sought to direct the atten- 
tion of Hereford breeders, as the question of 
importance. And this has been the main pur- 
pose I have had in view, and have continually 
brought to the front, and I do not think be- 
cause I have urged the consideration of this 
question that my friendship for the Herefords 
should be challenged. How will they feed? 
Not wholly upon the plains, but as compared 
with each other, how will they feed when taken 
to the States to be finished ? For their beha- 
vior there will be a very important element in 
determining valvies. 

Geo. W. Eust. 

the pl.mxs cattle problem. 

To the "Gazette" : 

It is not creditable to Mr. W. E. Campbell's 
candor that he still declines to consider on its 
merits and continues to denounce as mere the- 
ory what I had said about the manner of rear- 
ing and previous treatment affecting the hardi- 
hood and usefulness of bulls brought upon the 
plains. It is not a mere theory, and the fact 
can be abundantly verified from the experience 
of any ranchman who has cared to investigate 
the matter. I regard the instance cited bv Mr. 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



527 



Campbell some time since, from his own expe- 
rience, where two lots of bulls, Flercfords and 
Shorthorns, were turned upon the range to- 
gether — the Here fords all thriving and proving 
useful and valuable, while the Shorthorns did 
])oorly and many of tliem dying the first win- 
ter — I regard this experience of Mr. Cam]ibell 
as abundantly establishing the fact that the 
manner in which hulls have been raised and 
treated has very much to do with the value of 
bulls when brought upon the range. I say his 
experience proves this position, because there 
appears to be no other reason why the results 
attending the introduction of these two lots of 
Imlls should have been essentially different, the 
experience of others not justifying the pre- 
sumption that there is such a material difference 
in the breeds as would account for the results. 
And if necessary I could name many cases in 
which the facts support my position in this mat- 
ter. Xot to go outside of my own county I 
can say that Mr. Carey Culver purchased of the 
Illinois breeder Mr. Gillette, last December, 
some Shorthorn bulls which had been raised 
iipon grass; turned them into enclosed fields 
where they roughed it all winter with the other 
cattle, and came through to the spring in fine 
shape and increased in weight. Ilis l)r()ther, 
Robert Culver, brought in at the same time Gal- 
loway bulls purchased at public sale at Chicago, 
and evidently highly fed, and he had to feed 
them all winter; one of them could scarcely be 
brought through at all, and none of them were 
of any account until midsummer. At the same 
time Jlr. Hart brought in some Hereford bulls, 
purchased of an Iowa breeder of high standing, 
who had probably pushed them along on corn, 
and they had to be kept up and fed all winter, 
and they came through in such wretched shape 
that Geo. Zweek, who kept one of them for its 
use until it was taken away July 1, was unable 
to secure calves from him, and had to send his 
cows to another bull. These three lots of bulls, 
representing these three breeds, came into this 
county within about ten days of each other last 
December, and were all kept within a radius 
of ten miles, and the difference I have related 
of their hardihood and vigor shows that the 
previous treatment to which they were sub- 
jected, was the important matter in determin- 
ing their immediate and permanent usefulness, 
and that so far as mere hardiness is concerned 
the breed counts for nothing (^373). 

1 am afraid Mr. Campbell does not care to 
profit either by his own experience or the expe- 
rience of others else he would hasten to exam- 
inr: so important a matter as this as soon as 
suggested, instead of attempting to "sneer it 



down the wind" as a mere theory. And while 
unwilling to open his own eyes to all the facts, 
he does not appear to be willing that the public 
shall have the benefit of them. Believing that 
he had the very i)est Herefords which he could 
buy, 1 asked whether he was equally liberal and 
careful in his selections of Shorthorns, and 
whether the unfavorable experiences he relates 
of Shorthorns were based upon trials with the 
best Shorthorns he could buy. But in his reply 
he evades this point and fails to give the pub- 
lic the means of e^stiinating at its worth the per- 
sonal experience which he had advanced as 
showing the relative merits of these breeds of 
cattle. In a discusssion, where the demonstra- 
tion of truthful facts should be the only object, 
this sort of evasion or concealment of important 
matters is not to be commended. ISTo one should 
endeavor to win his case on technicalities. And 
besides I am told that Mr. Campbell, in giving 
his experience, has only given a part of it, and 
that a long time ago he confessed to Mr. Pliny 
Nichols, in Iowa, after having purchased two 
Hereford bulls, that one of them died before he 
got him home, or very shortly after, and that he 
had previously owned still another which had 
done him no good. As a candid gentleman Mr. 
Campbell should have stated such matters as 
these. To withhold them is to treat the public 
unfairly. In getting no benefit from two out 
of three, it would be interesting to know 
whether it was considered due to the breed or 
to the manner in which these individuals had 
been handled before he got them. 

In his last letter Mr. Campbell remarks: 
"In the language of Xapoleon I will say, 'I 
hiive but one lamp by which my feet are guided, 
and that is the lamp of experience.' " 

I do not believe Napoleon ever said it. Pat- 
rick Henry had been in his grave many years 
before the great Corsican donned the purple, 
and I do not believe he ever had occasion to rob 
the dead American of his laurels. Mr. Camp- 
liell is unfortunate. His literary experience 
and observation do not appear to have been 
more careful and accurate than his observations 
and experiences with cattle, and both, are 
equally in need of correction. I am not at all 
surprised at the confession of Mr. Campbell 
that he has been studying the cattle question by 
lamplight. It was quite evident that his range 
of vision was very limited, and the light he was 
enjoying very feeble. Perhaps he cannot stand 
a stronger light, but if he can, I would advise 
him to throw away his lamp, and come out into 
the daylight where he can see everything, and 
some things at least, in their true relations to 
each other. Gi:o. W. RusT. 



528 



HISTORY OF HEREFOED CATTLE 



MOKE OF ME. CAMPBELL S EXPERIENCE. 

To the "Gazette": 

In reply to Mr. G. W. Rust's letter which ap- 
peared in your issue of December 4th, I will 
say my former letter was written away fi-om 
home while awaiting the arrival of a train, 
hence Mr. Rust's previous letter was not before 
nie. I have since referred to it and find every 
essential point fully answered by well-authenti- 
cated facts. Had the gentleman but known my 
views in reference to the proper manner of 
breeding and rearing bulls for range use, he 
would have saved himself the trouble of writing 
a whole column to convince the public of my 
stupidity in not rushing headlong, at break- 
neck speed, to catch on to his wise suggestion. 
I have never deemed it necessary to dispute self- 
evident facts, which seems to be Mr. Rust's 
strong forte, from which he discharges his 
heavy theoretical gun's. Now, in order to dis- 
abuse the gentleman's perverted mind and to 
set him right on the point in question, I will 
quote the following from one of my letters that 
went the rounds of the public press years ago, 
at which time (according to Mr. Rust's views) 
1 was a competent judge : 

"The weather by this time has become ex- 
ceedingly hot, and the aristocratic bovine dukes 
and princes that have so suddenly been deprived 
of elegant quarters and epicurean diets begin to 
languish and dwindle away until there is 
nothing left but an unsightly rack of hair and 
Ijones. The result is notliing more than could 
have been expected under tlie circumstances. 
These animals have been bred and fed to sell, 
without any regard to their future usefulness. 
Many of them have been in the stalls all their 
lives, up to the very day of their shipment, and, 
as a natural result, have accumulated soft, 
spongy flesh and but little sinew, bone or mus- 
cle, so essential to all range cattle. Such ex- 
perience has led many ranchmen to believe that 
thoroughbreds are not hardy or profital)le for 
the plains, when in fact the fault should have 
been placed upon the breeder's shoulders. Tlie 
truth is, no cattle are more hardy than the 
thoroughbreds, when properly bred and reared, 
and none so profitable to the ranchman. The 
stall-fed, pampered l)ulls that have never felt 
the summer's heat or winter's cold, never have 
and never can give satisfaction when taken to 
the plains. Our ranchmen cannot use too much 
care in the selection of tlieir bulls. In reality 
the bulls are half their herds, for upon them 
depends the number and quality of their in- 
crease. They should select good, hardy young 
bulls, showing plenty of masculine vigor and 



constitution, and such only as carry plenty of 
flesh and show an aptitude to fatten without be- 
ing tied up in the stalls and stuffed. Bulls of 
this character that have been raised in open air 
always have been profitable and given the best 
of satisfaction to western ranchmen." 

So much for my stupidity and Mr. Rust's 
recent discovery. He contends that one breed 
is as hardy as another, which he knows is not 
true. Would it not be ridiculous to contend 
that the beautiful little Jerseys were as hardy 
as the shaggy-coated West Highlanders or Gal- 
loways? I assure you the difference between 
the Shorthorns and Herefords is as well estab- 
lished, and this marked distinction has resulted 
from the different manner in which they were 
bred and reared. Furthermore, Mr. Rust's own 
writings justify this conclusion. I am glad he 
has named Mr. Gillette in this connection, and 
he might have added the names of William 
Warfield, the Messrs. Potts, Col. Harris of this 
state, and a few other intelligent gentlemen who 
have labored hard and unceasingly to build up 
and improve the Shorthorns by breeding for in- 
dividual worth, constitution and the l)utchcr's 
block, which is the ultimatum of all beef ani- 
mals. Unfortunately, while these gentlemen 
were trying to improve the Shorthorn race, 
thousands of their fellow breeders were as ener- 
getically breeding down, breeding pedigi-ees in- 
and-in, and individual merit, constitution and 
vitality out, until the entire race was almost 
I'ugulfed and the country flooded with wheez- 
ing, coughing, consumptive weeds, unfit for 
use in any herd. This is very near the lan- 
guage once applied to Shorthorns by Mr. Rust, 
and fully explains why Shorthorns have proven 
so inferior to other breeds when put to the test 
in the open plains. 

Mr. Rust is very anxious to know how it 
happened that T lost one of my first Hereford 
bulls, and why it was that a previous one for a 
time did no good. He says, "As a candid gen- 
tleman, Mr. Campbell should have stated such 
matters as these." Now that I have been placed 
on the witness stand, I shall give my evidence, 
from which I trust Mr. Rust will extract solid 
comfort. The first animal referred to was 
killed in my absence by an irritable, half-wit- 
ted wretch by the name of Magee, who lived on 
an adjoining farm. The bull was a good one 
and I wished I had more of the same sort. The 
latter, that he alleges did me no good, was tem- 
porarily disabled by the formation of a filu'ous 
tumor, which I removed by the use of the knife 
(I have done the same with a number of Short- 
horns), after which he proved a vigorous 
server and an excellent getter. After leaving 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



539 



my hands lie was used for several years by Geo. 
lleiidrieks. who only jiarted with him to pre- 
vent in-lireediiig. He was next purehased hy 
Col. W. R. Colcord, and now stands at the 
head of his herd of Shorthorns, and though well 
advaneed in years he is still aetive as and vigor- 
ous as a calf, and is giving perfect satisfac- 
tion. The Colonel is as clever a gentleman as 
ever left the blue grass regions of Kentucky, 
and if desired I have no doubt he would be 
])leased to give further particulars concerning 
til is aged bovine monarch of the plains. 

Mr. Rust, like Geo. Jlorgan's friend, "Red, 
White and Roan," evades the principal ques- 
tions at issue, and now that the liunting and 
trout-fishing has been monopolized by Mr. 
"Red, White and Roan," he pitches into me per- 
sonally, and virtually says my literary attain- 
ments are inferior to his, and that my hat band 
is smaller than the one worn by him, which is 
certainly very strong argument in favor of 
Shorthorns as range cattle, all of which I am 
willing to concede rather than neglect the cattle 
or (juarrel over so trifling a matter. He is not 
even satisfied with this, but accuses me of 
studying the cattle business by lamplight. A 
grave charge indeed, hut nevertheless true. I 
confess even more. I have studied it by the 
glimmering light of tallow candles, in lonely 
and isolated dugouts, far beyond the reach of 
civilization ; by silvery starlight, while making 
my tedious nightly rounds guarding slumber- 
ing herds, when the country was infested liy 
hostile savages; by brilliant sunlight, when my 
herds were slowly wending their way northward 
through the burning sands of a southern clime. 

Yes, I have studied the cattle business by the 
light of as fierce and vivid death-dealing light- 
ning as ever flashed from an angry sky, and a 
time, too, when comrades were laid low in death 
hy the fury of the storm. When the artillery 
of heaven made the very earth tremble by the 
force of her cannonading and peals of thunder, 
that scattered my herds in the wildest and most 
terrific stampedes. Yes, my lessons in the cat- 
tle Inisiness were all learned in the stern school 
of experience, and of course cannot be com- 
pared to llr. Rust's theories or "book larnin'." 
W. E. Campbell. 

JI.VTTKItS AFFECTTXO rSEFl'LXESS OF PLAIN'S 
CATTLE. 

To the "Gazette": 

There is, I presume, no occasion for further 
discussion between W. E. Campbell and myself, 
he having, in the matter at issue between us, 
acknowledged in his last letter that the position 
I had been endeavoring to maintain was cor- 



rect. I had stated that the manner in which 
hulls were raised had more to do than anything 
else, with their practical usefulness and vigor 
u])on the plains, and that to this, more than 
the matter of breed, was due the conflicting 
experience of individuals with the different 
kinds of bulls. Mr. Campbell would not' listen 
to any such talk, and denounced it as mere 
theory. After considerable discussion back and 
forth, which I trust has not been wearisome to 
your readers, Mr. Campbell concedes that the 
position I had assumed was correct ; that the 
manner in which hulls are reared — as to 
whether pampered, housed and forced to early 
and excessive growth, on corn and other con- 
centrated foods — does afl'ect their usefulness 
and capacities for plains life. And he even 
goes further and submits an extract written 
l)y himself and published years ago, in which 
the same idea was advanced. This is all right; 
1 claim, no originality in the idea. The "the- 
ory" is a sound one, and so long as it is ad- 
mitted, I am quite willing that Mr. Campbell 
shall himself have the credit of having first 
conceived it. It is certainly worthy of the "ex- 
perience" of which we have heard so much, 
and of the study of the cattle prolilem under 
the discouraging and appalling conditions he 
describes. Having brought him to the point 
of publicly confessing what he knew all the 
time to be facts, I congratulate him iipon his 
candor and bid him good-by. 



The difi^erence in the breed of bulls for use 
on the plains, so far as the points of present 
discussion extend, appear to me to be much 
overestimated. The only point which has been 
seriously urged is one of hardiness. And con- 
sidering the fact that the loss among plains 
cattle, with all the vicissitudes and inclemen- 
cies to which they are exposed, are practically 
as small, if not smaller, than the losses upon 
the farms and cultivated fields east, it cannot 
be contended that a matter of increased hardi- 
ness in plains cattle is one of very great im- 
])nrtance. as compared with some other matters. 
A very trifling diiference in quality or weight 
would cut much more figure in the profits of 
the ranchman than anything he could possibly 
secure through increased hardiness in cattle al- 
ready hardy enough for the practical purposes 
of their siirroundings. A very large proportion 
of these plains cattle, almost all of them in 
fact, save those brought from Texas and the 
regions bordering upon the Gulf, have a strong 
admixture of Shorthorn blood — not as much 
as they ought to have, but still more or less of 
it. And their hardiness, so far as the require- 



530 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



ments of these plains are coucenied, or capa- 
bilities of demonstrating the point, being suffi- 
cient, it is difficult to understand the necessity 
of looking further on that score. A good many 
Herefords have been introduced, and the in- 
fluence of this blood can be seen here and there, 
but not so widely disseminated and tried as 
the Shorthorns; as a general thing the Here- 
ford blood has had the advantage of being rep- 
resented upon the range by animals more deeply 
bred than the animals representing the Short- 
horn blood. That is to say, a great many of 
the animals brought upon the range and classed 
as of Shorthorn blood have had but a meager 
proportion of that blood, while of those brought 
upon the range and classed as Herefords, most 
of them have, until recently at any rate, been 
fairly crossed with that blood. There appears 
to be no lack of hardiness in the range animals 
showing Hereford blood, and in this resptx-t 
they are fully equal to those owning Shorthorn 
blood, but, I do not believe, any better. If in 
the years to come experience shall finally indi- 
cate a permanent preference for one breed over 
another it will be, I am satisfied, not on the score 
of hardiness, but to difference in maturity, 
quality and kindly submission to feeding oper- 
ations farther east. 

But while the treatment of bulls before they 
are brought upon the plains has much to do 
with their usefulness, the manner in which the 
ranchman conducts his business will have 
much to do with the satisfaction derived from 
their use and is a factor which accounts for 
much of the diversity in the related experiences 
of individuals, with the various breeds. On 
one range, for instance, either belonging to the 
owner or his neighbors, an unusually large per- 
centage of steers are maintained, which very 
materially reduces the calf crop, and this is 
sometimes wrongfully imputed to want of vigor 
on the part of the bulls. Another range is not 
favorably situated as to water, and animals have 
to travel far to get it, and become more widely 
scattered, and, in consequence, the bulls do not 
have as free and constant companionship with 
the cows as on ranges where the cattle find their 
food and water nearer together. Then some 
ranchmen turn their bulls upon the open range 
and expect them to stay there the whole year 
round, the same as other kinds of stock. The 
result is that the bulls are working more or 
less the whole year, which tells on them strong- 
ly, and then the calves come at all seasons, 
many are lost before the owner ever sees them, 
and the shortage in the crop is charged to the 
inefficiency of the bulls. If the owner happens 
to inspect the stock and compares experiences 



with some other ranchman who separates his 
bulls from the herd during a portion of the 
year, and feeds them during the most iucleaient 
season, he will be apt to acquire a very unfavor- 
able impression concerning his own bulls and 
what they can accomplish. But about the last 
thing he will do, will be to ascribe the difference 
to the treatment which his bulls receive. It 
is very jjoor policy, especially with thorough- 
bred bulls of high tvpe, to require them to 
make a living the whole year round on the 
range. If they rough it through, it detracts 
from their condition for service the next season, 
and with good bulls it does not pay. A great 
many ranchmen have discovered this and are 
careful to bring in their best bulls where they 
need not be exposed to the vicissitudes which 
may come to other cattle. 

I have it from a personal acquaintance re- 
siding near Mr. Campbell that this is his prac- 
tice, and that he is careful to gather up his 
thoroughbred Hereford bulls from the range at 
the close of each season and bring them into the 
ranch, where they can be cared for during the 
winter, and brought into proper condition for 
next season's work. The practice should be 
commended. Xo other course will secure the 
full advantages which should be secured from 
the use of thoroughbred bulls. 

Geo. W. Eust. 

of the same opinion still. 

To the "Gazette" : 

Mr. Geo. W. Rust, in his article in your issue 
of January 1, says: "There is, I presume, no 
occasion for further discussion between Mr. W. 
E. Campbell and myself." Thus far he is emi- 
nently correct. The Herefords have been shown 
te be superior to Shorthorns, not only as hardy, 
impressive range cattle, but as feeders also ; and 
furthermore that they bring more per pound 
when sent to market. All these facts have been 
demonstrated by actual tests made by wealthy 
and reputable stockmen, the names of whom I 
have already given, and not by theories in- 
vented by correspondents who practically know 
nothing of the subject at issue. 

To more fully explain my position I will 
state: Several years ago I bought a herd of 
Texas cows and calves for $1S for each cow and 
calf. Allowing the calves to be worth $6 per 
bead, the cows cost $12 per head. Some of 
these cows escaped fronj the common herd and 
lodged with my fine herd some ten miles away, 
and thus were accidentally bred to Hereford 
bulls, and afterwards dropped calves that were 
as shapely and well marked as thoroughbreds 
and when yet yearlings weighed from 1,015 to 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



.531 



1.2(i0 pounds each. The lightest, a heifer that 
liad fiull'crcd severely from pinkeye and had 
heen on grass all siininier, was sold to a Chi- 
eago butelicr for eight eents a pound, amount- 
ing to $81.30. I sold two others for $1()5 and 
the heaviest one for $100, whieh (to me at 
least) are satisfactory dividends on my $12 
Texas cow investment, topped by a Hereford 
cross. 

I have hred some good Shorthorn grades on 
the range, and have taken more prizes at fat 
stoek shows with them than any other ranch- 
man in the land. In fact, the only time 
my Shorthorn grades ever met defeat was when 
they came in competition with a carload of 
range cattle that had Hereford blood in their 
veins. The moment T saw them I knew defeat 
was inevitable, and I received a second pre- 
mium very complacently. I have never seen any 
Sliortliorn grades from the range that could 
compare with grade TIerefords, either for 
Weight or quality off grass, or that would bring 
as much per pound when sent to market, and 
these are the reasons why I prefer the White- 
faces. Furthermore, I am willing to show half- 
breed Herefords. out of these little $12 Texas 
cows, against an equal number of half or even 
three-fourths bred Shorthorns, owned and bred 
on the range by exhibitor, at any railroad point 



within fifty or 100 miles from Caldwell, for a 
])urse of $500, the money to lie donated to any 
charitable enterprise the exhibitors or judges 
may designate. 

Mr. Rust claims I have conceded his position 
as correct, though he knows such is not the case, 
in my last I showed that it was simply ridicu- 
lous to claim that one breed was as hardy as 
another, and gave good reasons for this conclu- 
sion, namely, the manner in which they (the 
breeds) have been bred and reared, not for the 
past twenty-four hours or twenty-four weeks, 
as Mr. Rust teaches, but for generations, or a 
term of fifty or one hundred years. 

I further assigned reasons why the Short- 
horns in particular were inferior to other breeds 
when put to the test on the open range. I stated 
that ''the majority of Shorthorn breeders had 
followed the family or fashion craze for years, 
breeding pedigrees in-an-in, and individual 
merit, constitution and vitality out, until the 
country was flooded with wheezing, coughing 
weeds unfit for use in any herd." If this is 
conceding the correctness of Mr. Rust's opinion 
(and he has so stated) there is certainly no need 
of further argument. I therefore respond to 
his courteous "good-by" with an humble bow 
and a hearty farewell shake. 

W. E. Campbell. 



532 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



CHAPTER XLIIL 

Conclusion — The Present and Future 



OPEN BATTLE OF BREEDS BENEFICIAL TO ALL. BEWARE OF SUBTLE MANIPULATION. 



It has come to be the settled principle of the 
advanced nations that they go to war only to 
obtain peace. That is to say, that in the ease 
of the more intelligent and, therefore, leading 
nations, the sacrifices of war are followed by 
the establishment of a beneficent peace that is 
generally worth all the cost. Justifiable war 
is a duty. 

The "Battle of the Breeds" has likewise been 
beneficial beyond measure to all sound cattle 
interests. Our position in the "Battle of the 
Breeds," and that of our predecessor, the Here- 
ford champion, Mr. William H. Sotham, was, 
likewise, one of duty and not of pleasure. Each 
in turn maintained a sturdy fight, and put up 
with all the hardships and trials incident to 
battle. Yet, we dare say that the efforts of both 
were pronijitod by a well-founded knowledge 
that ultimately we must accomplish great good ; 
not simply to the Hereford cause but to the 
whole cattle interest, and therefore to agricul- 
ture generally. 

At the time we joined in the fight that Mr. 
Sotham had been maintaining singlehanded for 
over two score years, we found that the better 
class of Shorthorns were kept in the back- 
ground, and the efforts of leading Shorthorn 
breeders were directed towards forcing upon the 
Shorthorn breeders an inferior type of Short- 
horns and this at fabulous prices. Our efforts, 
directed as they were towards bringing a more 
compact type into public favor, by proving the 
Herefords and their type the more practical 
and profitable for beef production, were in no 
wise intended to menace the Shorthorn breed, 
b\it rather, it was a crusade directed particu- 
larly against the selfish wishes and ill-conceived 
plans of those Shorthorn breeders who were 
booming what Mr. Sotham aptly characterized 
as the "Bates mania." 

Unfortunately for the Shorthorn interest, 
the breeding of the Bates family of Shorthorn 
cattle had gotten — as the saying was — into the 
hands of "inen with more money than brains," 



or rather, as we would put it, into the posses- 
sion of "men of means without practical cattle 
experience." Or, in other words, the Short- 
horns were the pets and playthings of men who 
bred for pedigree rather than individuality. 
These men, and others less opulent, who aped 
them, were free handed in spending money with 
agricultural papers to puff and flatter them in 
their vain desires to appear as benefactors to 
American agriculture. 

We have shown conclusively that beginning 
with the first agricultural paper, viz., "The 
Albany Cultivator," then the "Ohio Farmer," 
the "Michigan Farmer," the "National Live 
Stock Journal," the "Live Stock Record," the 
"Farmers' Magazine," etc., down to the "Breed- 
ers' Gazette," as they were each in turn estab- 
lished, all were controlled in the interest of the 
Bates Shorthorn, and the early files of the last 
named journal, though now unquestionably the 
leading agricultural journal of the world, prove 
that it was, in its incipiency, fostered by the 
Bates clique, though run ostensibly in the whole 
Shorthorn interest. 

Most of these papers, still in existence, under 
different management, now emphatically con- 
demn what they formerly advocated, and stren- 
uously deny their partiality for any particular 
breed. Yet, regardless of denials, it must be 
noticed that the old "first love" prevails very 
marked in some instances. We can see some 
reason for this, in their self interest, because, 
although the Hereford is now acknowledged 
the beef breed par excellence, and his type has 
been as far as possible appropriated and adopt- 
ed by the meritorious families of Shorthorns; 
yet, the Shorthorn advertisers predominate and 
there has been extreme effort on the part of 
certain of these editors to collect and publish 
favorable Shorthorn data that would be com- 
mendable, were they not by comparison ex- 
tremely and unwarranted! v negligent in their 
efforts to collect and publish similar informa- 
tion in regard to the Herefords. 



HISTORY OF 



K \l K VO UI) I' ATT J. E 



533 



The HtToford iiicn nowadays are very lib- 
eral advertisers, by reason of wliieb they have 
been allowed to toot their own horns unmo- 
lested, but it is a most notable fact that even 
yet certain leading live stock ])apers of their 
own motion do comparatively nothing toward 
collectinji; and pu!)lishiiiij; Hereford data, while 
sparing no pains or expense to perfect and pub- 
lish their knowledge of Shorthorns. Even the 
Angus have had a goodly share of editorial in- 
terest exhibited in them, and correspondents 
have been paid to dig uj) their family history 
in a connected and extended way that has not 
been accorded to the Herefords. 

This state of alfairs has nuide our Hereford 
History a necessity to the Hereford breed. As 
a matter of course, we have had to republish 
the history of many things that were unpleas- 
ant at the tiuu' of their occurrence, yet a history 
is a historv, and we have always been in the 
habit of calling things by their right names and 
stating facts in their utmost baldness. If, in 
our work, we say or have said anything offen- 
sive of offending Shorthorn breeders or their 
offending friends, we entertain the sincere he- 
lief that it has been to the benefit of the Short- 
horn breed, for in placing the Hereford promi- 
nently before the American beef raiser we have 
as is now everywhere conceded, compelled a 
modification and improvement of the Short- 
horn l)reed of cattle. 

To our certain knowledge, Scotch Shorthorns 
(for years the most meritorious family of the 
breed) in the days when we were nuiking our 
hardest fight for the Herefords, so lacked ap- 
preciation that the breeders of these plebeian 
but splendid beef cattle, were compelled to 
make steers of th(,'ir bulls, and place them in 
their feed lots. To meet the Herefords in the 
show ring, a demand sprung up for Scotch cat- 
tle when the victories of the Duke of Eichmond 
and his get. in the show ring were the only 
bright spots in the Shorthorn campaign. It 
was the Herefords that forced value into the 
Scotch blood for show ring purposes, yet for a 
while, though splendid Scotch animals brought 
hundreds each, at the same time. Bates' Dukes 
and Duchesses — manifestly inferior to the 
Scotch in every beefing particular — sold for as 
many thousands. 

As the result of persistent Hereford aggres- 
sions, all things are changed to-day. and now 
we see in the Shorthorn breed the highest prices 
paid for individual excellence in animals 
that fornu'rly were considered "unfashionable 
blood." their only danger now appearing to be 
in the direction of a "Scotch craz<>,'' based on 
the similar erratic lines of the "Bates mania," 



but the competition between l)reeds niay, we 
think, be trusted to keep them within bounds. 

The effective assistance rendered to the beef 
interests by the National Shows, and the im- 
petus to State Shows, given by fhe intelligent 
use of the funds of the Hereford, Shorthorn, 
and Angus Associations, will, we trust, tend to 
keep down any craze in either of these breeds 
for special lines of blood not identified with the 
excellence of the individual. In this intelli- 
gent fostering of a great industry, we note with 
pride the Hereford breeders leading the way. 

Were some of those who now most ardently 
support "individual merit" in Shorthorns, as 
against "pedigree fads," to rise u]i too quickly 
to criticize this, the closing work of our life, we 
should of necessity be obliged to quote some- 
what further from their favoring connection 
with the grave errors of Shorthorn history, and 
if, in the quotations we have made, anything 
be said that is unpleasant to anj'one that is or 
was connected with the Shorthorn interest, our 
plea in extenuation is that only by such plain 
statements of facts are the best interests of 
cattle breeding subserved. 

The Hereford movement in America, in 
which we are accorded the leading position, not 
only brought the Hereford into notice but 
helped the Shorthorn breed as it never was able 
to help itself. This being conceded on all sides, 
we may be pardoned for making some sug- 
gestions. 

Appreciation is all there is in life. The 
Hereford Society has in many instances been 
liberal in the matter of encouraging Hereford 
breeders by the disbursement of prize money, 
but when the matter is given thought, I am 
sure I will be endorsed in saying, that, though 
unintentional, perhaps, through their associa- 
tion they have Ix'cu ungenerous in other direc- 
tions. 

In a previous chapter, the brief list of con- 
tributors of a testimonial purse to Wm. H. 
Sotham for his many years' championship of 
sound cattle interests is an instance. Though 
not at any time a man of wealth, there never 
lived a more independent man; and having 
some mind of our own, we can feel for the vete- 
ran when at a later meeting of the Hereford 
breeders, he appeared bef(U-e it with the inten- 
tion of returning the purse, because it had been 
said that it was a "charity." Nothing could 
have fired the old man's indignation further. 
Ha]>pily th(> leading Hereford breeders appre- 
ciated Mr. Sotham's work, and having his con- 
fidence, were able to convince him that paltry 
as the purse was, it was ])rescnted in the spirit 
of appreciation for his work, and a resolution 



534 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



was passed unanimously in accordance with 
these assurances. 

That was in the days of individual subscrip- 
tion before the Association owned the Herd 
Book, or had any fixed source of revenue. To- 
day, it is different. With an overflowing treas- 
ury, the lilH'rality of Hereford Ijrreders t^hould 
yet show itself in an appropriate monument, 
expressive of appreciation for the great work 
Mr. Sotham did. The Shorthorn Association 
should join in this movement, for Mr. Sotham 
was ever a friend of their best cattle and solici- 
tous of the true interests of the Shorthorn 
breed. Likewise, the Angus had his good will, 
for they were favorites with him, while the lit- 
tle West Highlander was probably his ideal of 
a perfect beef animal. While Mr. Sotham ad- 
vocated particularly the Hereford breed, it was 
because, as a breed, they had a higher standard 
of imiform excellence than any other l)reed ; 
their standard if etjualled at all by any other 
breed being approached only by its best speci- 
mens. 

Our own experience at the recent meeting 
(1899) of the American Hereford Cattle Breed- 
ers' Association, leads us the more to believe 
that a man's work may not be appreciated at its 
full value during his lifetime, or while jealous 
contemporaries hold the machinery of organi- 
zation. We fully appreciated Mr. Sotham's work 
during his lifetime, but, in the stress of the 
fight, we were unable to stop and bind up his 
wounds, although it was fully in our heart to 
do so; but time presses and waits for no man, 
and we are thus tardily doing our very best to 
have the works of Mr. Sotham appreciated. 
Feeling that Mr. T. F. B. Sotham would ap- 
preciate this recognition of his father's work 
for the improvement of American cattle we 
can state that our unpleasant experience at the 
recent meeting resulted unexpectedly in one 
source of gratification, for it led us to confer 
with Mr. Sotham, through which conference 
we agreed with him upon the revision and pub- 
lication of our work, independent of any un- 
friendly censorship. 

As was known to many members of the Here- 
ford Cattle Breeders' Association, we agreed 
with the Executive Committee of the Associa- 
tion to write a History of Hereford Cattle for 
the Association. We entered into this work 
in no narrow mood, but with a love for the 
labor and a broad feeling of assurance that we 
were equipped better than anyone else to do 
this work, and in the firm belief that such a 
work was needed and would be appreciated. 
After spending a year upon the work, we found 
that at our time of life it was a much greater 



and more arduous task than we had estimated ; 
several years having passed since we had retired 
from active business. While the money that 
we had agreed upon with the Executive Com- 
mittee as compensation would have been a con- 
venience, we, at no time, felt as though we were 
working for a money consideration. As we got 
into the work, reviewing our past struggles and 
triumphs, we renewed our youth in a revival of 
our interest in beef cattle improvement. The 
splendid enthusiasm of the Hereford men at 
their shows was encouraging. 

When, therefore, we came to the meeting 
with several hundred pages of manuscript, ready 
to show what we had accomplished and to out- 
line what we further wished to do in comple- 
tion of the work, we suggested to the Executive 
Committee that we could use a part of the com- 
pensation, and were pained on meeting the 
committee to learn that our work was by them 
considered a mere dollars-and-cents matter, and 
that even when completed we could have no 
assurance that the work would be published. 
At any rate the Executive Committee crawled 
behind a technicality, and although they as- 
sumed unln-idled authority in many directions 
in other matters they pleaded that they had no 
authority to turn over any part of the money 
until the entire work was completed. 

To show how utterly devoid of sincerity the 
committee's plea was I would add that a little 
later, in honeyed phrases, they offered to take 
the data and uncompleted work as we then had 
it, and pay the full amount of money ($500) 
for it, uncompleted. The design of the Execu- 
tive Committee ruler was so plainly evident 
that we would not, under any circumstances, 
allow our work to go into his hands to be re- 
vised and edited; and therefore we resolved to 
cancel our agreement with the Hereford Asso- 
ciation. Our friends, however, were not con- 
tent to let the matter remain in this condition, 
and it wa,s brought before the meeting, but the 
Executive Committee, carrying in proxy votes 
the power of the Association, was enabled, by 
an empty subterfuge of alleged business prin- 
ciple, to defeat what was unquestionably the 
will of the Association. 

It is beyond our comprehension how the 
American Hereford Cattle Breeders' Associa- 
tion continues to submit to the rule of a com- 
mittee of three men who are known to be domi- 
nated by one of its members. The Executive 
Committee of the American Hereford Cattle 
Breeders' Association, as now (1899) con- 
structed, amounts to one-man rule, and accord- 
ing to the Constitution and By-Laws that man, 
as the head of the Executive Committee, is the 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



535 



ruler of the Association. The forhearaiiee and 
coniiliatoi'v spirit in the great majority of the 
Hereford Association are matters for wonder, 
as well as for };reat congratulation. The Con- 
stitution and Hv-Laws of the Association were 
un<|uestionably good and suthcient for the time 
when tliev were made. H was well to have 
then, and it is well to have now, and I hope we 
always will have the most stringent rules in re- 
gard to registration, and the firmest safeguards 
against tliose rules being thoughtlessly or hastily 
eliange<l; hut the other l)y-laws and all other 
liusiness, outside of the registration rules, should 
i)e subject to the will of the majority at meet- 
ings, and not subject to the will of a single man 
and his clique, as it has been and will be under 
existing conditions, or until some leader rises 
uj), and facing the unpleasant and demoralizing 
situatiini. declares the facts to each memlier of 
the Association. It has been demonstrated 
that the E.xecutive Committee as at present 
constructed will not relinquish their power with- 
out a struggle, so that it is not difficult to 
prophesy that their narrow, selfish policy will, 
in time, make a revolution imperative. 

When we think of wliat the Hereford breed 
of cattle is, in the importance of its relation 
to the beef interests of the world, we are amazed 
that a few Hereford breeders will come together 
once a year at the annual meeting to listen to 
the sanu^ old sort of a report, and to act upon 
cut-and-dried business prepared for them by 
the Executive Committee in the same old way, 
and to which cut-and-dried preparation they are 
limited in the action and business of the con- 
vention. JIuch against the will of an offensive 
oligarchy, the association elected Mr. T. F. B. 
Sotham (1|377) president at the recent meet- 
ing (1899). We mistake the character of Mr. 
Sotham, and be will not be true to his position 
as champion of the Herefords, or worthy of 
his father, if he does not throw light on this 
"clique" and the subtle errors of their way. 

The Executive Committee passes upon all 
constitutional legislation to be submitted to the 
Association. If they decline to submit the prop- 
osition of a member that proposition cannot 
come before the meeting. If they condescend 
to present such proposition they present it in 
a form that must be adopted or rejected with- 
out the changing of a single word. This sys- 
tem except as concerns rules for registration 
is absurd, silly, and ought not to be tolerated. 
The idea of a body of men of the character, 
intelligence and wealth of the American Here- 
ford Cattle Breeders' Association submittiiig to 
any sucli little narrow ])lan is pre])osterous, and 
I am convinced from much commuuication with 



the members of the Association that the system 
needs only to be aired properly by a well-mean- 
ing, loyal and influential breeder to insure a 
])rompt and profitalile change. We therefore, in 
closing, devote a little space to this matter. 

Why should the Hereford interests submit to 
any such narrow control ? We concede that the 
members of the present (1899) Executive Com- 
mittee may be considered just as intelligent and 
worthy as any other members of the Association, 
but we insist they are not more so. There never 
was a body of men constituted that has more 
good material for effective work than the Amer- 
ican Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association, and 
the Association falls very far short of its duty 
in not availing itself of this material. There 
is positively no good to be gained and an op- 
jiortunity for nmeh harm in giving any man a 
life tenure of office. The course for manv years 
has been for the annual meeting to assemble in 
Chicago on one evening in November, ostensibly 
at 8 o'clock, although it is nearer 9 before the 
meeting is called to order; and when the clock 
nears 11 there has always been an urgent and 
very apparent desire on the part of the Execu- 
tive Committeemen to have the business over 
and an adjournment agreed to. The business 
has consisted of the reports of the Executive 
Committee and Treasurer, the latter being a 
member of the Executive Committee. Tliey 
report their work of the last year, and propose 
their work for the ensuing year, merelv asking 
the sanction of a necessary appropriation. If 
they can possibly get these reports adopted and 
agreed to in full, at one stroke, the plain desire 
of the Executive Committee is then fully car- 
ried out. Committee matters of interest to 
breeders, discussions of what would be helpful 
to them in their work, matters that can only 
be elucidated by full and complete discussion, 
that would make the conventions of the Asso- 
ciation interesting and profitable, are ignored, 
that a cut-and-dried program may be carried 
through in the most expeditious manner pos- 
sible. The better acquaintance of Hereford 
breeders, the discussion of their experiences, the 
reading of a])propriate papers, and the free and 
full discussion of pertinent Hereford matters, 
such as breeding problems, feeding experiments, 
judging systems, selection of judges, etc., would 
create and renew such qcncral interest that the 
accruing benefits would make a general desire 
for the longest sessions convenient rather than 
the shortest farces possible. 

We have no more pecuniary interest in the 
Herefords, and of more than eighty years of life 
we have spent thirty in the Hereford interest, 
and therefore know that we can say what we 



536 



HISTORY OF HEREFOED CATTLE 



are saying without anyone rightly feeling that 
we have "an ax to grind." On this matter we 
write as we have in the rest of our work, ivithoui 
any hidden meaning. Straightforwardness has 
ever been our method. When we began prepar- 
ing this work, knowing that it must be sub- 
mitted to the Executive Committee, and know- 
ing well each member of that committee, to 
meet what we conceived would be their require- 
ments we were constrained to clothe our words 
with a little of that hateful subtlety which has 
ever characterized our opponents from without 
as well as within the Hereford camp. But 
when we felt ol)liged to cancel our agreement 
with the Executive Committee we were relieved 
of a distressing position, and we at once deter- 
mined to renounce subtlety and all its works, 
and confine our efforts to those methods and to 
that system of language which had ever been 
inseparable from our work. 

We know with what reluctance a Hereford 
breeder would take up the leadership of a cru- 
sade against existing, offensive and retarding 
conditions and dangerous tendencies in the 
American Hereford Cattle Breeders' Associa- 
tion. Xo one rushes, without grave provoca- 
tion, into a family row. The Association, even 
under the prevailing system, has been, as if 
ought to be, in the advance of any similar or- 
ganization. But the system makes for one man 
control and an autocrat generally resents the 
slightest criticism, and having control of the 
machinery of the Association uses it more or 
less effectively to the detriment of his critics. 
An octogenarian, however, out of business, 
speaking for the good of others in a cause he 
loves so well, need fear nothing, even if he 
speaks freely. Incidents illustrating our mean- 
ing may be enumerated, but one will suffice. 

It was the habit of the Treasurer of the 
American Hereford Cattle Breeders' Associa- 
tion up to 1898 to give a personal bond, the 
strength of which up to that time, we are safe 
in saying, was never properly investigated. Now 
we do not question the validity or sufficiency 
of the bond, but call attention to the careless- 
ness of the Association in regard to it. 

Let us go further. The Treasurer's bond was 
passed upon by the Executive Committee, of 
which the Treasurer was the active, leading and 
ruling member. Again, a large surplus fund 
amounting to $20,000 had accumulated, which 
the Association ordered to be kept invested in 
IT. S. bonds. With the consent of the Execu- 
tive Committee, of which the Treasurer was 
THE PREVAILING MEMBER, this Surplus was kept 
by the Treasurer for many years in unregis- 
tered United States Government bonds. These 



bonds needed no endorsement, being exactly the 
same as cash, thus placing the entire funds of 
our Association at the disposal of and for the use 
and benefit of the Treasurer without interest, 
upon a personal bond furnished to and passed 
upon by the Executive Committee, which was 
essentially himself. We consider it ■ fortunate 
for the Hereford Association that our Treasurer 
was able to weather the panic of '93. We have 
no reason, however, to l3elieve him any more 
honest than the treasurer of the Shorthorn As- 
sociation, who, as is well known, became finan- 
cially embarrassed, and, doing his best, turned 
over real estate of questionable value to the 
Shorthorn Association in lieu of a similar 
amount of cash. Again, in the office of the 
Treasurer there was no systematic accounting 
system. We are not specifically charging dis- 
honesty on the part of the Treasurer. We mere- 
ly call attention to the looseness of the Associa- 
tion's system and to the chances for loss occa- 
sioned by this delegation of all power to the 
Executive Committee trio, without a proper and 
annual accounting. Many another breeder 
tossed in the financial storm and paying high 
rates of interest would doubtless have been able 
to profit greatly by the free use of this great 
sum of ready money in the hands of the Treas- 
urer. 

Now, let us illustrate by a little unwritten 
history how badly this loose system acts for any 
individual who may have enough interest in the 
welfare of the Hereford breed and its Associa- 
tion to make suggestions for the improvement 
of the system of this all-powerful and criticism- 
hating committee. 

The late Mr. G. W. Henrv, of Chicago, and 
Mr. C. B. Smith (Ij 378), of 'Fayette. Mo., were 
particularly friendly in their relations. When 
Mr. Smith was elected President of the Associa- 
tion — like other presidents, he had to learn that 
the office of President of the American Hereford 
Cattle Breeders' Association was intended for 
a mere figurehead ; that in fact the President 
had no duties, or at most very sim])le ones, for 
which ample preparations were made that they 
might be performed by the Executive Commit;- 
tee in case the figurehead neglected them. Mr. 
Smith, however, happily for Hereford interests, 
decided that in the estimation of the Associa- 
tion the President's offico held some import- 
ance. He therefore took it upon himself to in- 
vestigate somewhat of the condition and practice 
in the office of the Association. In the first 
place it was found that the Secretary and Treas- 
tirer were not the employes of. nor are they re- 
sponsible to the Association. They belong, un- 
der the constitution, body and soul to the Exec- 



HISTOIM' O 



1 1 !•: 1{ !•: 1'^ 1} D C A 1' 'V L E 



531 



utivc Coiiiniitti'c. 'J'lu'v imist iiiaki' all rt'ports 
to the Kxc'caitivo Coniniittt'c, arc responsible to 
tliat eoiiuiiittee, ami hold their oliices by the 
power aud coniniand ot that committee. In the 
second place he i'ounil the olliee was located at 
ln(h'peiuleiKe, and that aside from its being the 
otlice 1)1' the Ilerel'Drd Association it was the 
olliee of the Treasurer, and also of the Hereford 
cattle breeding firm of which the Treasurer was 
the active partner. 

Further, it was discovered that the funds of 
the As.sociation were kept in the private bank 
accounts of the Secretary and Treasurer, and 
that the machinery of the Hereford office was 
used to conduct the private commission busi- 
ness of the Secretary and the business of the 
Treasurer's firm. Further investigation showed 
a lack of system in the methods of the office, 
and ])articularly a very lax and unbusinesslike 
system of accounts. Still further investigation 
showed the unregistered bonds, equivalent to 
greenbacks, added to the cash in the hands of 
the Treasurer. Having the best of will, and 
wc may say without fear of contradiction, a sin- 
cere friendship for both the Secretary and 
Treasurer, ilr. Smith was extremely reluctant 
to take action, l)ut being himself an expert ac- 
countant and a business man, experienced with 
and high in the esteem of great corporations, 
he felt that action on his part was a duty, and 
thus he conferred with his friend, Mr. Henry, 
also a business man of high standing and fa- 
nuliar with corporations. In the kindliest and 
friendliest way possible they quietly but plainly 
laid some of the facts as they saw them before 
both Secretary and Treasurer, siiggesting vari- 
ous changes in the system of accounting in both 
Secretary's and Treasurer's office, and insisting 
that the Treasurer should at once exchange the 
unregistered bonds, that were as negotiable as 
greenbacks, for bonds registered in the name 
of the American Hereford Breeders' Associa- 
tion ; such bonds not being transferable with- 
out the signature of the President in addition 
to that of the Treasurer of the Association. 
Wilfully misconstruing the motives and dis- 
trusting the evident faith and good-will of 
Jfessrs. Smith and Henry, the Executive Com- 
mittee appointed two breeders, neither of whom 
were accountants, as an auditing committee to 
l)ass upon tlie accounts of the Association, 
which committee made a report dated January 
1"^, 1808. We do not call in question the hon- 
esty of that re])ort. and it is not particularly 
our intention to call in question the honesty of 
tlie existing administration, but we do say that 
the appointment by the Executive Committee 
of an auditing committee to pass upon their 



own work is a farce too silly, after sober 
thought, to be countenanced by a body of men 
as intelligent as the members of the Hereford 
Cattle Breeders' Association. 

We need not prolong the details of tliis mat- 
ter, and would not have presented it at all in 
this, a history of Hereford cattle, were it not 
for our firm belief that the Hereford breed of 
cattle is to be the prevailing and leading breed 
in the improvement of the world's beef cattle; 
and that being the case, that the organization 
of the breeders of Hereford cattle must wield 
great influence upon the breed, and therefore 
any failures and mistakes would, in the end, 
have a bad effect upon the beef interest of the 
country, and therefore upon its agriculture. 

We feel that most members of the American 
Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association take too 
lax a view of their duties and responsibilities, 
and of their individual importance in the great 
work of uplifting American agriculture. We 
say this with the welfare of the breeders of 
Hereford cattle sincerely at heart. We say this 
because the members of the American Hereford 
Cattle Breeders' Association annually receive 
from the Secretary a circular letter announcing 
the date of annual meeting and giving copies 
(sanctioned by the Executive Committee) of 
rules to be adopted or rejected at the coming 
meeiing, and accompanying this they receive a 
blank proxy, and too little importance has been 
attached hy memhers to those proxies. The 
great majority of the proxies fell into the waste 
basket, with the proposed rules, members 
promptly deciding there was nothing to be done 
at the meeting to Interest them, or to be worth 
the expense incurred in attending. This would 
be well were it not that other mem1)er3, noting 
the name of the Secretary printed in large let- 
ters at the head of the proxy, have felt that 
some attention should be paid to it, and though 
taking no personal interest in the meeting have 
endorsed their name on the proxy and returned 
it to the Secretary ; and enough have usually 
done this to place the power in the hands of 
the Secretary to accomplish at the meeting 
whatever his will might be, regardless of the 
will of those Hereford breeders who think 
enough of the Hereford breed and its organiza- 
tion to pay their money to attend the meeting 
in person. These proxies the Secretary would, 
of course, divide among the Executive Commit- 
tee trio, and their clique, in order that on the 
face of the returns the power of one man might 
not be too offensively visible. 

We are glad that we can say that in most 
instances this power has been used in the inter- 
est of projects redounding ultimately to the 



538 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



good of the Hereford breed, for in the main no 
one can gainsay the fact that the Hereford As- 
sociation has done a great deal of good, but it 
might have done and can do more, for this 
power unwittingly invested in the Secretary, 
who is the employee of the Executive Commit- 
tee, has also been abused, to the detriment of 
the Association's best interests. Note the case 
which we have introduced, viz., that of ex-Presi- 
dent Smith, for the death of Mr. Henry left 
Mr. Smith to work out these desirable results 
alone. Neither Mr. Smith nor Mr. Henry de- 
sired to make public the condition of the As- 
sociation's office, preferring that the necessary 
changes be made without the knowledge of the 
general public, or even of any large number 
of members of the Association, and they were 
so made. Much that was thus secretly sug- 
gested by Messrs. Henry and Smith was as se- 
cretly adopted in the Hereford office. But nev- 
ertheless those who made the suggestions in- 
curred the bitterest enmity of those who adopted 
those suggestions, and here lies the point that 
we wish to make, and we trust that it will not 
be lost in the coming and yet more prosperous 
years of the society. Let no one deceive him- 
self ; the open, boldly honest way may be the 
unpleasant way, but it is the only sensible, safe 
and enduring way. 

Ex-President Smith and Mr. Henry made 
their suggestions, as we have said, quietly and 
in good faith as true friends of the Association's 
officers, and not in the slightest sense as their 
enemies. They made their suggestions in the 
truest interest of those officers of the Hereford 
breeders and the Hereford breed. They partic- 
ularly wanted the officers, to whom the sugges- 
tions were made, continued in office; because 
they had always had faith in the honesty of 
those officers and because they wanted no hint 
of fraud or irregularity to get before the public 
or even before the Association itself, and thus 
important changes were made in the system and 
finances of the American Hereford Cattle 
Breeders' Association, diplomatically and with- 
out those who so thoroughly deserved it being 
publicly criticized. Mr, Henry, unfortunately 
for the Hereford breed, died at Kansas City, 
where he went to attend and put life (as none 
but he could) into a public sale of Herefords, 
and the resentment of the Treasurer and Sec- 
retary and their associates did not affect him. 
Ex-President Smith, therefore, came in for the 
brunt of their hatred. How they have been 
wreaking their spite upon Mr. Smith can best 
be Judged by others. We have been too far 
from the scene of leading Hereford operations 
to discuss this, biit we have been creditably in- 



formed that the spite has been exhibited in 
every possible way, and with most virulent 
venom. 

The American Hereford Cattle Breeders' As- 
sociation has never had a thorough or proper 
investigation and auditing of its accounts by 
an expert accountant since its organization, 
though we are advised that the Shorthorn As- 
sociation has of late years had an expert ac- 
countant, appointed by an outside and 
unquestioned authority, namely, the First Na- 
tional Bank of Chicago, which duly appointed 
expert having at his first investigation gone to 
the very beginning of the Association's accounts 
has, to this sound foundation, annually there- 
after added each succeeding year's accounts. 
Here is the one lone instance which we can copy 
with profit from our friends of the Shorthorn 
camp. 

In discussing this matter we have referred to 
a point which we wish to illustrate, and this 
point is illustrated throughout the entire his- 
tory of our work, as well as throughout the 
history of our predecessor, the Hereford cham- 
pion, W. H. Sotham. This point is the fact 
that open war in the end produces greater, 
more lasting, and more beneficent results than 
any subtle scheme of diplomacy. Messrs. Smith 
and Henry accomplished great good quietly by 
diplomacy, but the result of that diplomacy, 
while beneficial to the Hereford Association, 
has been pointed to as the beneficent work of 
officers who would not inaugurate reforms of 
their own motion, but who were actually com- 
pelled by the force of circumstances to bring 
about this result ; while at the same time, those 
officers have used their offices and their personal 
influence as far as possible to harm the diplo- 
mat. Verily, diplomacy will react, for there is 
no enemy like the one that poses as your friend ; 
we ever preferred an open foe. 

Here at last let me make the main point, 
which this entire matter is intended to bring 
out: Let the Association create wider and 
freer councils and broaden the scope of its 
work; let the annual meetings of the Hereford 
Association be of such interest as will bring 
out the largest attendance. Let the program be 
filled with discussions that will benefit every 
participant in the meeting. Let it be assumed 
that more than one, or three members, have wis- 
dom and brains. Let these meetings discuss 
openly, frankly and with spirit every matter of 
interest appertaining to the good of the Here- 
ford breed and the beef interest. Change the 
constitution and by-laws at once, that sugges- 
tions may be made and publicly discussed, that 
no individual need suffer for doing a good to 



HISTORY OF HRRKFORD CATTLE 



639 



the Association and Ijrcuil. Lut the majority 
rule. No loyal Hereford man need fear to pre- 
sent his case and abide by the decision of a true 
Hereford majority. Xo man is worthy of a 
Hereford olliee who is afraid of such majority 
and resorts to proxies. 

We submit this matter reluctantly to a 
hook that will fro before the world as a History 
of Hereford Cattle, but we have endeavored to 
make this hook of wider interest than an ordin- 
ary history; to make it valuable for the future 
as well as the past, and to "ive the lijjlit of the 
past for the better iHuniination of tlie future. 



There is no fear of the future if the menace of 
a "close corporation" be subdued. In this as in 
all other things we speak plainly, in words of 
no uncertain meaning. The Hereford breed of 
cattle have nothing to fear from any competitor 
on the score of absolute inherent merit. In- 
telligence and honesty in the future conduct of 
the Hereford breed will make their improve- 
ment steady, maintaining their present lead hy 
keeping them apace with any improvement pos- 
sible to other breeds, and consequently keeping 
them in the forefront of beef cattle for all time, 
in the future as in the past. 




£ s 



APPENDIX 



5-tl 



APPEIS^DTX. 



THE LATE MIJ. MILLER, OE ILLINOIS, U. S. A. 

now II K lilCXKKlTKD IIEKEFOIJU HREEDERS. 



It will (Imibtlos!; be with a feeling of sincere 
regret that many breeders and others interested 
in Hereford eattle will receive tlie news of the 
death of that veteran champion of the breed in 
America, 'Sir. T. \j. Miller, which took place at 
I)e Eiiniak Sjjrings, Elorida, U. 8. A., on 
March IT), IDOO. at the age of eighty-three. 

Mr. Miller had, in spite of his great age, 
been in the enjoyment of excellent health, un- 
til a short time before his death, when he had a 
severe fall in the street, causing concussion of 
the lirain. Although the serious nature of the 
acc-idcnt was apparent from the first, he 
lingered on for some six weeks, until congestion 
of the lungs supervened, and was the imme- 
diate cause of dt'ath. 

ilr. ililler was born in Connecticut, but 
early in life settled in Chicago, and engaged 
successfully in the insurance business. He then 
made one of those kaleidoscopic changes in 
business, so frequently made in America and 
the Colonies and so rarely with success in 
England, and exchanged city life for agricul- 
tural pursuits. For this purpose he removed 
to Bei'chcr, where he had a large farm, about 
thirty miles from Chicago, built a large house 
and elalwrate farm buildings. It was here, 
having discovered the merits of the breed, that 
he established and carried on for many years,- 
his famous herd of Hereford cattle. 

It is not too much to say that he was prac- 
tically the pioneer of the breed in America, 
and it was mainly due to his persistent advocacy 
of their good qualities that American farmers 
realized how well suited to their purpose the 
Herefords were, both as a ])ure breed and also 
for crossing with native cattle. This result he 
achieved in the face of the strong opposition 
of the Shorthorn influence, which was at thai 
time paramount in the T'nited States. 

Breeders in this country have cause to re- 
member with gratitude his untiring and suc- 
cessful efforts to make the Herefords widely 



known on the other side of Atlantic, for his 
action was the means of bringing about the 
great boom, of some years back, wdiich enabled 
those who were fortunate enough to possess 
pure pedigree herds to reap a golden harvest. 

In ISSo be visited England, accompanied by 
Mrs. Miller, and their niece, and bringing with 
him his rock-away carriage, pair of black horses, 
and American harness, with which to drive 
about the country and visit the principal breed- 
ers. This turn-out excited a great deal of in- 
terest and curiosity wherever it appeared. 
Among those who entertained ilr. and Mrs. 
Miller were I^ord Batenum at Shobdon Court, 
Mr. J. H. Arkwright, Hampton Court, Mr. T. 
Duckham, at Baysbam Court, Messrs. Goode, 
at Ivingtonbiyv, Mr. J. Price, Pembridge, Mr. 
T. Powc-11, at the Bage, etc. 

The home breeders availed themselves of Mr. 
ililler's presence in England, to show their 
apjjreciation of the valuable work he was doing, 
by presenting him with a public testimonial, 
in recognition of his efforts. On August 1st, 
be was entertained at a public dinner, at the 
Green Dragon Hotel, Hereford, at which a very 
large and representative gathering assembled, 
to do him honor, including Lord Glanusk — 
then Sir J. R. Bailey — who was in the chair. 
Lord Bateman, Lord Coventry, the county 
members, etc. The chairman then presented 
to him, on behalf of the subscribers, a beauti- 
fully illuminated address, signed by one hun- 
dred breeders, and a purse of £200. A silver 
cup was also presented to his able lieutenant, 
Mr. Geo. Morgan. 

Characteristically, he declined to spend th ' 
money in silver plate, but bought with it a num- 
ber of aiumals, which he took on with him and 
which were known as the "Testimonial Herd." 
Successful though he was, fortune was not al- 
ways kind to him. Twice over, the costly and 
handsome buildings on his farm were burned 
to the ground. The first time thev w-erc struck 



APPENDIX 



543 



bv lightning and the second conflagration was 
iK'lieved to l)c the work of an incendiary. Ulti- 
matel_y he disposed of all iiis Herefords, and 
sold the Beecher property. 

In order to escape the cold winters of the 
North, the last years of his life were spent in 
Florida. An indefatigable worker always, his 
energies were by no means confined to looking 
after his farm and the breeding of cattle. He 
became the mainstay of the church at Beecher 
and of its pastor at a time when the little com- 
munity was too ])oor to provide for their own 




.\ FARM SALE. 



religious requirements. But his religious activ- 
ities did not consist solely in giving liberal 
financial support, for both in Chicago and 
Beecher he was ever a regular and earnest Sun- 
day school teacher. No stress of weather or bad- 
ness of roads sufficed to keep him and his 
faithful wife — whom he always found an able 
sei-onder in all his plans — from his work in 
connection with the church. He contributed 
largely to the agricultural press, and eventually 
himself established a printing oflfice and ran a 
newspaper mainly in the interest of Herefords 
for some years, and to whicii he subsetjuently 
added a monthly publication. It was also at 
Beecher, under his own editorship, much of the 
work being done by his own hands, that he 
started the "American Herd Book of Hereford 
Cattle," and continued until the work became 
too large to be carried on by private enterprise, 
and was therefore transferred to the manage- 
ment of the society in Chicago. 

Altogether he was a fine specimen of the 
type of men who have made the Ignited States 
the grpat and prosperous and progressive nation 
that it is to-day. A man of strong will and 
untiring energy, he put his hand to many 



things, and to none without some measure of 
success. At an age when most men are content 
to rest, he was still strenuously working, and 
the last work of his life, a task which he had 
only just completeej when he met with his fatal 
accident, was to write a "History of Hereford 
Cattle," thus showing that his old interest in 
the "white faces" had not abated. Of him it 
may truly be said, as Chas. Dickens once said 
of himself, "that he never put one hand to 
anything, on which he could not throw his 
whole self." — Hereford (Eng.) Times. 

RESOLUTIONS. 

Unanimously adopted by a rising vote of 
the American Hereford Cattle Breeders' Asso- 
ciation at Chicago, December 5, 1901 : 

Whereas, Through the mysterious working 
of a Divine Providence, one of the most promi- 
nent and enterprising of the pioneer members 
of this association, Mr. T. Ij. Miller, has been 
summoned to other fields; therefore, be it re- 
solved by this association, in Annual Conven- 
tion assembled : 

First. That we freely and unhesitatingly 
accord to him the position of originator and 
leader in the propaganda of the Hereford in 
America. 

Second. That to his enterprise and courage 
is largely due the position the Herefords have 
attained in this country. 

Third. That as a breeder of Herefords and 
a citizen, we commend him and deplore his 
loss. 

Fourth. That we condole with his family 
in their bereavement and .sympathize with them 
in their affliction. 

Fifth. That this association appropriate 
the sum of $500 to erect a monument as a 
tribute to his memory. 

Sixth. That these resolutions be spread 
upon the minutes of this meeting. 

Charles Gudgell, 
W. S. Vax Xatta, 

T. F. B. SOTHAM, 

Committee. 
Chicago, 111., December 5, 1901. 

DEATH OF T. L. JIILLER. 

Mr. T. L. Miller died on Thursdav, March 
15, 1900, at De Funiak Springs, Fla., at the 
ripe age of S3 years. To the cattle breeding 
world he was universally known as T. L. Miller, 
of Beecher, 111., and his Highland Stock Farm 
was the Mecca of all admirers of Hereford 
cattle for manv vears. 



A I ' I' ]•; x J ) 1 X 



545 



Sii|)])I('iiii'iitiiifr. enlarfriniX and succeed iiif^ 
the wiirU of tlieir lirst importer, tlie late Win. H. 
Sotliaiii, Mr. Miller may tnithfvilly be said to 
have done more for the upbuilding and dis- 
semination of the Hereford cattle than any 
other man who has connected himself with the 
breed. There wore some differences between 
Mr. Sotham and Mr. Miller, mainly growing 
out of some methods of procedure during the 
tliick of the "Battle of the Breeds," and be- 
cause these two old generals were so alike and 
forceful in their temperament. Nevertheless, 



was always a lover of farm life, and after a 
very successful Inisiness career in Chicago, he 
retired to Highland Farm, at Beecher, 111., a 
ti-act of 1,000 acres, which he improved by 
tiling and careful cultivation and embellished 
with the most extensive suite of farm buildings 
ever attempted up to that time. The famous 
Jliiler barn with its double-headed wind-mill 
w;is the talk of the live stock world until it 
was destroyed liy fire, only to be succeeded liy 
another more modern and convenient structure 
two hundred feet square. It is doubtful if this 




?. B. SOTHAM'S SALE. 1896. 
Weavergrace Farm. 



my father frequently told me before his death 
that Mr. ]\liller had done a noble and un- 
])arallcled service for the Hereford breed of 
cattle and for all sound cattle interests, while 
several years ago Mr. Miller wrote me that, 
"during the thick of the fight 1 could not stop 
to bind up the old man's wounds, l)ut n<iw that 
the battle is won, I will tell you what will no 
doubt interest vou : .Ml the information 1 had 
to make my tight for the Herefords I got from 
your father and his writings." 

Mr. ^filler was born in the Kast, in ^fassa- 
chusctts, I ])clieve. .\fter receiving a fair edu- 
cation, he was employed in a butcher shoj), and 
later carried on the liusiness for himself. He 



Miller barn has ever been equaled for capacity 
and convenience, nor can it ever be surpassed 
as an ideal cattle home. 

Xo abler advocate ever championed the cause 
of improvement in cattle. Like my father, he 
was a fighter when it took a fighter to make an 
impression on existing erroneous prejudices and 
preferences. What the tenacious fighter in the 
courts of law of to-day adds to the value of an 
attorney, were the qualities essential to the suc- 
cessful consideration liy the court of American 
cattle opinion, brought to the Hereford breed 
by T. L. Miller. There was jealousy of him 
among those wlio should have been his guileless 
friends, but jiinned down to a fair estimate of 



A r r E N D I X 



547 



the work of T. L. Miller, no cattleman whose 
opinion is worth having, ever failed to give Mr. 
.Miller that great nieas^ure of praise and appre- 
ciation he had fearlessly and honorai)ly earned. 
Breeders of Hereford cattle to-day, with their 
hreed the acknowledged leading heef improver, 
with their organization leading all others in 
willing submission, with all the homage paid 
to breed and breeders that proves again the old 
adage that "nothing succeeds like success," can- 
not from the very nature of the present situa- 
tion understand the bitterness of the fight that 
waged during "the battle of the breeds," when 
Herefords were denied a classification in the 
premium lists of the fairs, wlien s]iace in the 
agricultural press was denied to Hereford writ- 
ers, when the strong arm of a (Jeorge Morgan 
was compelled to intervene to prevent bodily 



at Lafayette, Ind. Although there was no 
class for Herefords, Mr. Miller took his show 
herd there for exhiliition. He was not allowed 
to compete with Shorthorns, but the Board of 
Directors met and voted him a special purse, 
and promised a class for Herefords next year. 
Messrs. Culbertson, Earl and Van Natta there, 
for the first time, saw the Hereford cattle. Mr. 
Culbertson and Mr. Van Xatta bought their 
first Herefords soon after of Mr. Jliller, and 
I think the same is true of Mr. Earl. 

Under the able management of Geo. F. Mor- 
gan, Mr. Miller's herd won great distinction, 
beating herds of all breeds, including the im- 
]]orted Herefords of some of the contemporary 
breeders above mentioned. His great sire was 
"Success,"' whose lithograph in colors adorns 
thousands of farmers' homes throughout the 




THE VETERAN FEEDER. JOHN LETHAM, 
odenow. ni., and his two champions. (Photo from life.) 



violence to such men as T. L. ]\Iiller. All well 
enough is it to-day to chime and re-echo in the 
effulgent light of a sujireme peace secured by a 
universal acknowledgment of Hereford merit, 
but let us never forget that the Hereford breed 
owes the greater part of the security of its posi- 
tion to the efforts of T. L. Miller, in his in- 
cisive, insistent, never-faltering, effective meth- 
ods, by which he compelled the cattle world to 
investigate and the powers that were to ac- 
knowledge the merits of Hereford cattle. 

The Hereford's merit is easy to see if only 
people have a chance to sec and try for them- 
selves. Chas. M. Culbertson, Adams Earl and 
W. S. Van Natta were all naturally Shorthorn 
men ; the first Herefords thev ever saw were 
T. L. Miller's. T( came about in this way. The 
Tippecanoe County Fair was then, as now, held 



country. I well remember with what pride and 
satisfaction Mr. Miller showed me the splendid 
matrons of his herd by "Old Success" on the 
occasion of my last visit to Highlands. Like 
my father, Mr. Miller loved Hereford cattle 
better than wealth, ease or life itself. Xo effort 
of labor, no sacrifice of time or means was too 
great for him to render In the interest of the 
Hereford breed. Xot getting a fair hearing in 
the agricultural press he founded a paper of his 
own, "The Breeders' Journal," and maintained 
it at great sacrifice of time, labor and money — 
a paper that was widely read, and copies of 
which are kept by Hereford breeders to-day, as 
priceless souvenirs of a crisis long and happily 
past. 

When the depression came, it caught Mr. 
I\Ii!ler as it has caught nianv another honest. 



A I' 1' K N 1)1 X 



549 



earncs^t worker, striving for principles and facts, 
rather than for greed and mammon. Tic had 
been trying for years to induce the Farwells 
to put ilerefords on their great 3,000,()0()-acre 
range in Texas, had contracted with them (or 
one of them) to furnish them a thousand bulls 
at a fair price, when his difficulties overtook 
him, and Mr. John V. Farwell bought the en- 
tire herd at a song, singing it himself, and 
figuratively buried it on the great Capitol 
Ranch in Texas. No records were kept of the 
increase, and so when recently it was deemed 
a(lvisal)le to restore the herd to the records. 



book will show tliat, beginning with Youatt, all 
the books ever written on the breeds of cattle 
have been biased toward and in favor of other 
breeds. In Mr. ililler's work, we will have 
the exploits of the breed portrayed by a Here- 
ford advocate and breeder. I consider it a 
godsend that in the rijxness of his years he 
was spared with rol>ust health, and keen, clear 
intellect, thus to complete and round out his 
work, and for the thousandth time again place 
the Hereford breed and fraternity under lasting 
obligations to him. 

The immediate cause of Mr. Miller's death 




ALBION (15027) 76960. , 

The great Eh,' lish sire and prize winner. (Photo from lite. I 



only a few of the remaining old cows could be 
identified, and thus it is that the l)lood of Mr. 
Miller's Highland Herefords was largely sub- 
merged in the flood derived from the latter 
importations. 

Mr. Miller's last work was practically com- 
pleted — a modern history of Hereford cattle. 
This is a work of vast importance to tlie breed- 
ers of Hereford cattle. It is the first authorita- 
tive history of the Herefords ever written by a 
loyal Hereford breeder. It is a lal)or of love. 
Hereford breeders have too long taken their 
literature from writers wdio are distinctively 
at heart advocates of other breeds. ^Ir. ^Filler's 



was an accidental fall. He caught his heel in 
the sidewalk and fell, never after gaining full 
consciousness. Four children survive him. 
Interment took place at Evanston, 111., from 
the home of his daughter, on Sunday, March 
18, 1900. I have, as President of tlie Amer- 
ican Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association, re- 
quested of the family the privilege for our 
association of erecting the monument to mark 
his last resting place — a duty and privilege 
alike that is all that it is possible for us to do 
for him as a last mark of our respect and appre- 
ciation. — T. F. B. Sufluini. ill Biri'ders' Gazette^ 
March 31, 1900. 




.^ a 



A P P E N 1) 1 X - 



551 



A TRIBUTE TO T. L. MILLER. 

For those of you who had the privilege of 
personal jiequaintanee with Mr. Miller, my 
heart is full of sympathy, realizing as I do that 
your loss must be greater than min(> — and mine 
is great — for our ae(iuaintani-e was one of eor- 
respondenee. Xevertheless, the kindly nature, 
the broad, public spirit, the generous impulse 
which shone from those f)ages from the hand 
of T. L. MiJler, with a reality and magnetism 
never to be forgotten, lent counsel and en- 
couragement to one of the youngest breeders 
in the Hereford Association in his daily fight — 
not only in the "battle of the breeds," but in the 
"pioneer" work of developing and promoting 
the great live stock industry of the South. 
More than all others, Mr. Miller has been in 
sympathy and in touch with my work and I 
publish his first letter as an example of a noble, 
generous spirit, in the hope that its suggestions 
may help other breeders whose experience may 
not yet be ripened into years of silver-gray. 

Mr. T. F. B. Sotham appreciates the neces- 
sity of steadfast devotion to one's aims and 
principles in the up-hill but winning fight for 
good cattle, and probably Mr. Sotham is best 
(|ualified of any breeder living to do justice to 
Mr. iiiller — and Mr. Sotham has done so ad- 
mirably. 

After j\Ir. Miller's retirement from his active 
business to the milder climate of Florida, he 
saw the possibilities of the successful raising 
of good beef cattle in the South, and labored 
constantly for the advancement of this project. 
He believed, and he knew when he believed, 
that the breed par excellence best suited to the 
climatic and other conditions in the Southern 
States is the Hereford, that the South is eager 
for an improvement on their small stock and 
that the Hereford — "native" cross — is the one 
to produce the desired result. Mr. Miller had 
already secured agreements with the L. & N. 
railroad, the Plant System, and the Florida 
Central to give free transportation on pure-bred 
stock into that territory and expected other 
roads to do the same. He was also promoting 
Hereford interests in other equally broad- 
minded ways, and T am glad to have the oppor- 
tunity of paying this tribute of admiration 
and respect to one about whom it may be said: 

To those who know thee not, no words can 

paint ; 
And those who know thee, know all words are 

faint ! 
—Murray Buocock. in Breeders' Gazette, April 
11, 1900. 



Mr. Boocock (^ 379) forwards the following 
letter for publication, written to him by Mr. 
Miller from De Funiak, Fla., under date of 
March 23, 1898: 

"I notice your purchase of the $3,000-bull at 
Emporia. This brings you and your letter of 
July 1 before me again, and gives you promi- 
nence among Hereford breeders. How long have 
you been breeding Herefords? The late Hon. 
John Merryman, Cockeysville, Md., was one of 
the earlier breeders. I think he commenced in 
the fifties — his widow and son are both breeders 
now, as I presume you know. 

"Permit me to call your attention to the fact 
that in Herefordshire, England, the breeders 
there carry a given number of coW'S, it may be 
twenty to sixty — as many as they care for — 
never more, never less — and after a cow has two 
to four calves she is turned off and a heifer 
has taken her place. Cows thus treated bring 
close to steer price for beef. Could Virginia 
or Pennsylvania adopt this plan they would 
find a profitable business. This refers to the 
average farmer, who would keep common cows 
and use a Hereford bull. If I were in Virginia 
or Pennsylvania, I would cultivate such trade. 

"Say with twenty cows, there would be ten 
steers a year to go off. At two years old they 
would weigh 1,300 to 1,400 pounds, and when 
the heifers come of age he would turn off twen- 
ty beeves a year, or say close to $1,000 ; in this 
way he would improve his farm. He may let 
his calves run with the cows until six months 
old, or wean and use the milk, feeding skim 
milk to calves. There is no Ijetter butter cow 
than the Hereford. 

"This is what Eastern farmers need. If you 
would cultivate such a trade and make Wash- 
ington your market, I think you would find it 
a success." — Breeders' Gazette, April 11, 1900. 



It was singularly appropriate that among the 
pall bearers at the funeral of the late T. L. 
Miller, held at Evanston, 111., March 18, 1900, 
were Mr. T. F. B. Sotham, President of the 
Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association; Mr. 
George F. Morgan, the veteran Hereford breed- 
er, who assisted '^\T. Miller in bis early days as 
a Hereford breeder, and Mr. Tom Smith, long 
manager of Mr. ]Miller's Highland Farm and 
herd at Beecher, 111., and prominent now as a 
breeder of Hereford cattle. — Breeders' Gazette, 
March 28, 1900. 



553 



A 1' 1' E N D I X 



FAC-SIMILE OF LETTER FROM T. L. JflLLER 
TO T. F. B. SOTHAM. 



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A V 1> E N I) I X 



553 




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554 



APPENDIX 







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A P 1' E N D 1 X 



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A 1' I' K X I) 1 X 



55^ 



COPY OF FUUECIOIXU FAC-81M1LI': 
LETTER. 

De Finiiak Springs. Fla.. April 14, IS!)!). 
T. F. B. Sothaiii, E.-^ii., (.'iiilliuotlic. Mo. 
Dear Tom : 

1 ri'i'. yours of ^Far. ;iO. 

1 am readiiig up tlic record of my fight for 
the Hereford^, and liave just met the following, 
written in Vvh.. 'S'i. 

Tlie History of Mr. Sotham and his connec- 
tion with the Herefords. Although lie did not 
receive an immediate and direct success, his 
work had a great influence, an<l made the way 
easier for us. I have found all along those 
who were Hereford men from wiiat they knew 
of his cattle. 

1 met a man of seventy years, who said of 
the Herefords, they are the best cattle I ever 
kni'W. When I asked, what do yon know of 
them, his reply was, I bred and owned them 
forty years ago in Vermont. The cows were 
the best I ever owned, and the young tilings 
were always ready for the butcher. 

I have met his cattle on the Hocky ^foun- 
tains, carrying goods where horses could hardly 
travel. I met a Mr. Bowen at the Centennial 
from Xew York state, who introduced himself 
and had a good word for them. What do you 
know of them, I asked. Says he, I bred them 
years ago from the Sotham importation, and 
when I asked him why he did not continue 
them, he said the Shorthorn influence was too 
strong for him ; and he was a man of more than 
ordinary intelligence and enterprise. 

That Shorthorn influence has put its foot 
upon many a movement that let alone would 
have- Ix'ttered the country. 

The Hon. John Merrvnian of l\raryland 
started his herd from the Sotham imjiortation, 
and forty-seven of this herd went to Messrs. A. 
A. Crane & Son of Osco in this state, in Jan. 

The Shorthorn men and editors have called 
Mr. Sotham a failure. He was not a failure; 
our work has been easier for what he did. He 
made a record that time cannot deface or dim. 

He made a case and placed it on record that 
was perfect in its detail and make-np. The 
work that he did T have used and felt. The 
friends that he made have been my friends. I 
have used the facts he gathered. When attacks 
have been made upon me, I could not always 
stop to say where my ammunition came from. 
but I am now where I have reached a breathing 
place. 

Gathering up this data of his, T am placing 
it on record, and passing it to his credit, a fight 
of forty years from the prime of life to old age. 



Starting with the best race of cattle and the 
best specimens of that race, for it will be no- 
ticed that in the record we are bringing up 
none of his opponent's question the merit of 
his cattle, they try to rob him by claiming the 
merits as belonging to a Shorthorn cross. Start- 
ing a.s I may say with the best breed and the 
best specimens of the breed, with a friend in 
the person of the Hon. Erastus Corning of 
ample means; with those prospects and the 
skill necessary to carry out the enterprise to 
a large success, those Shorthorn men were en- 
abled, by force of numbers and the control of 
the press and the New Y'ork Agricultural So- 
ciety, to destroy those prospects and retard this 
Hereford movement for 10 years. 

But while they were able to do this, they 
have never been able to break his spirit. He 
has stood for forty years as defiant and aggres- 
sive as though he had Erastus Corning and a 
herd of Herefords behind him. He has stood 
in their path as faithfully and fearlessly as the 
angel stood in the path of Balaam. 

While I was in the thick of the fight, I could 
not stop to bind up his wounds; 1 could not 
stop, as perhaps T ought, to notice his aid. 

He has perhaps had occasion to feel that T 
neglected him, and that same fearlessness that 
has kept his face towards his old enemies, led 
him to strike at me occasionally. I should have 
been glad that it were not so, but I have no 
enmity. 

I at my first breathing place, gather up his 
record and give it to his generation, and I will 
place the Hereford flag in his hands and the 
Hereford crown on his head. 

Well. Tom, that is what I wrote and pul)- 
lished in Feb., '83. It is a singular fact that 
1 from 1839 — and during this Albany contro- 
versy — took the Albany Cultivator, and kept 
the files. Truly yours. T. L. Millkr. 



THE ILLT'STRATIONS OF THE APPEN- 
DIX. 

In accordance with the announcement at the 
introduction, in addition to the copious illus- 
trations pertinent to the body of this work a 
number of full-page reproductions of photo- 
graphs from life of choice specimen Herefords 
of different ages and both sexes are herewith 
included. It has been thought best to confine 
these specimen illustrations to photographs 
from life rather than from drawings, as it is 
believed that they will give more accurate rep- 
resentations of Hereford anatomy, and thus 
train the inexperienced eye to a knowledge of 




S a 






A IT EN DIX 



559 



the formation of a good Hereford, so that all 
reaik'rs of Mr. ililler'.s History may reap full 
benelit of its teaehiiifis, and be enabled to take 
fullest advantage of the merits of Hereford 
blood. 

It is believed the illustrations comparing 
prime beef with that found in the ordinary 
markets will serve a jiarticularly useful pur- 
pose. 

Few people realize that it is impossiide to 
have a real prime beefsteak on their tables 
unless the aninuil from which it was taken 
possessed some of the blood of our improved 
beef breeds. 



CHANGE IN AlWIINISTRATION OF 
THE AMERICAN HEREFORD CAT- 
TLE BREEDERS" ASSOCIA- 
TION. 

In Chapter XLIII of this history, on "The 
Present and Future of the Hereford,'' Mr. 
Miller criticizes the old administration of the 
Hereford Association affairs by an Executive 
Committee of three, that was provided for in 
the Association's by-law^s. Mendjers of this 
committee were elected for terms of three 
years, one mendjer being elected each year, 
their terms thus intcrlapping and forming an 
endless chain. 

Since Mr. Jliller's death, a private investiga- 
tion l)y ])rominent niemiiers of the Association 
showed that this committee and the by-laws 
creating it were unauthorized by law, and a 
subsecpient appeal to the courts of Illinois (un- 
der whose laws the Association was chartered), 
brought about an official investigation which 
declared the committee illegal, resulting in the 
resignation of the entire Executive Commit- 
tee and its otHcers in January, 19(12, and the 
assum])tion of the administrative duties of the 
Association by its legally authorized Board of 
Directors. 

Adhering to the charter of the Association, 
the law vests all administrative authority in a 
M(iard of five directors, who shall be elected 
annually for terms of one year, and the laws 
of Illinois compel this Board to assume and 
discharge these duties, making them responsi- 
ble for tlie conduct of the Association. 

Coming into this res])onsibility unex])ected]y 
and without desire or effort on their part, the 
Board of Directors reluctantly assumed con- 



trol, and at this time (July, 1902) have cor- 
rected much of the error Mr. Miller essayed to 
point out. 

The unfortunate dissensions which brought 
about the aforesaid investigation, and the re- 
sultant shifting of authority, naturally engen- 
dered considerable feeling in the Association, 
so that the Board of Directors was obliged to 
assume its rightful, but unsought and unex- 
pected power, under very unpleasant circum- 
stances. It is due them to say that they took 
up their duties, inspired by that loyalty to 
Hereford interests that is common to the Here- 
ford fraternity in general, and which has ever 
been the great source of the Association's 
strength. There is a reasonable hope enter- 
tained generally by the members of the Asso- 
ciation, that a wise administration by the di- 
rectors will result in a fair and lasting reunion 
into one intelligent and aggressive association 
of the factions caused by the temporary breach. 

Mr. Miller pointed out the evils of the proxy 
system, which unfortunately without new laws 
cannot legally be entirely abolished. The 
proxy system has been the root of most Asso- 
ciation evils, not only in the Hereford society, 
but in countless others, and the tendency on 
the part of many members of the Hereford As- 
sociation is to refuse to give proxies. The 
trouble about proxies is that they are too often 
given for one purpose and voted for another. 
Proxies are largely used by the holder to pro- 
mote his own selfish interests. It is safe to say 
that hundreds of proxies have been voted di- 
rectly opposite from the way the members giv- 
ing them would have voted, had they been per- 
sonally present. As a general proposition, 
those members who do not care to go to the 
expense or trouble of attending the annual 
meeting, ought to be satisfied with the will of 
the majority of those who do attend, and not 
put a weapon in the hands of the minority to 
defeat the will of those members who do pay 
their money and expend their time to attend. 
If every member of the Association who cannot 
attend the annual meetings in person will re- 
fuse to be representeil by ])roxy, Hereford dis- 
sensions will be annihilated for all time, for, as 
Mr. Miller truly said: "No loyal Hereford 
man need fear to present his case and abide by 
the decision of a true Hereford majority." 
And, "No man is worthy of a Hereford oflfice 
who is afraid of such majority and resorts to 
proxies." 




^2 

P ^ 

c "' 







fe ^ 



P si 




lUTTCHEK'S niAfiRAM. A SIDE OF GOOD ORADE HEREFORD I'.HEF. 
SliowinKiiictliod of ciittinR up liigli-elassoarcjisses, 1. The Round. 2. Tlie Runiii. :t. Tli« Sirloin or Broad loin 
Loin. 5. Tlie Flank. 6. Tlie Navel Piepp. 7. The Ribs. s. The Chuck, or Shoulder Roast 
9. The Brisket. 10. The Neck. 11. The Shank. 



4 The Short 




BUTCIIKR'S TERMS-" THE ROUXD." 
Takeu from agood grade Hereford steer. (See Fig. 1 of butcher's diagram.l 





BUTCIIEK'S TERMS— "THE RUMP." 
From a good grade Hereford steer. (See Fig. 2 o( butcher's diagram.) 




BUTCHER'S TERMS-" THE KUMP." 
From a steer classed as common butcher's stocl«. (See Fig. 2 of butcher's diagram.) 




BUTrHEK'S TERMS— "THE LOIN." 
From a good grade Hereford steer. (See Fig. 3 of butcher's diagram.) 




nrTriiHiis TKij.Ms-" rill-; i.uin." 

From a steer classed as ooniiiioii Imtdier's stoel<. (Si'o Fig. 3 of Ijutclier's diagram.. 



■ 






■ 


^^^^^H 


^^p 


^^?. ••' 






^^ 


^^ 


' r • 


r ^>. 










b2 


1 


ikH^--^ 


y 


- •^408 




1! 


B^' 



UUTCIIER'S TEKI\IS-"TIIE roUTKRIlOUSi:." 
From a good grade Hereford steer. (See Fig. 4 of butclier's diagram.) 




I'.IITCHElt'S TKUMS •■THE I'l inTEmiOTiSE." 
From a steor classed as common Imtclier's stock. (See Fig. 4 of l)utcher's diagram.) 




I'.ririiicirs tici;ms- ••tiik iMUTKiiiKirsK knu." 

(The cut tlKit divides the fore quarter from the hiud. See Fig. 4 of butcher's diagram.) 
From a good grade Hereford steer. 



1^' 





lUTTPHEK'S TpRMS "THE POETEIiHOtlSE END.' 

(The cut that divides the fore quarter from the hind. See Fig. 4 of butcher's diagram.) 

From a steer classed as common butcher's stock. 




in TCIIEK'S TKKMS— "THE UIKS." 

Fidin .-I K"i"\ KI-.hIc ll.ivtonl stcci'. (Sei- Fig. 7 of liutchi-r's diaKni 




BUTCHER'S TERMS ■' THE KIBS." 
From a steer classed as common biitclier's stock. (See Fig. 7 of luitchor's diagram.) 




UUXCHEIfS TERMS— "THE CHUCK, OK SHOULDER ROAST." 
From a good grade Hereford steer. (See Kig. 8 of liutcher's diagram.) 




i;ri<'iii:Ks iei!Ms-"The chuck, or shottlher roast." 

From a stcfr <>la'i>;i'il as common liutohfr's stock. (See Fig. S. of liiifcher's diagram.) 




lUTCHKliS Ti:l!.MS--'TIIK KK ISK lOT.- 
I'niin :i good grade Hert'fuiJ stfer. (See Fig. 9 of butclier's diagram.) 




r.TJlCIIEH'.S TFRMS— 'TFIF, I'.RTSKKT." 
•'r<iin a stepr classed as common liutcher's stocl<. (Sep Fig. :i of hiitciier's diagram.) 




HUTCH Kirs TERMS- 

Kio.l KiaiU- Mcrcfonl stet-r. i: 



t<ll.\NK." 

. 1 1 of biitcliei- 




m'TCIIElrS TKKMS--TI1 K 
Fi-om a steer classert as comniou butcher's stock, (t 



<IIA\K." 

■e Fig. 11 of butclit-r's iliagram.) 



'1T420 



_,jtt^^^m 



BUTCHElfS TERMS— "THE KinXEY FAT.' 
From a good grade Hereford steer. 




^ 



BUTCHER'S TERMS-" THE SHOULDER CLOn." 

From a good grade Hereford steer. The shoulder is ordinarily classed as cheap meat, hut in a good Hereford carcass this 

shoulder is better meat thau the loia of an ordinary carcass. 




CHOICE HKREK(IRI) ROAi?r. 

Selected by Louis Pfaelzer, t'le celebrated Chicago butcher, as a model of that class of beef demanded by the very best American 

anil Enelish trade. The supply of this class of be 'f never equals the demand and it always comniamls high prices. 




• EOAST OF COMMON BEKF. 
Such as is foiuid in the ordinary markets of the country. There is generally a big supply of this class of beef and the price Is 
always low. People eat this class of beet because they cm usually get no other, but they would 
not eat it if tliey knew and coidd get the other. 



INDEX.. 



NOTE.— The Invprtp'l P. or paragrapli mark (1), Is used in this work to indicate a portrait or picture. Wliercyer tins 
slKn(1)is Used, ill lirackets, followed l)y a iiunilier, it indicates tlie iiuniiier of an engravint' tliat appears in tliis work. Tliese 
picture.^ or euj^ravings are arranged consecutively, witli few e.\ceptious, tlirougiiout llie work. 

PoKTRAiT OF T. L. MiLLER Fioutispiece 



INTRODUCTION. j^^ge 

1[.\. Wellington Court, near Hereford 8 

T;B. New House, King's- Pyon, Herefordshire (rear view) 4 

Some Further Notes on the Origin and Development of the Tompkins Herefords, by W. H. 

Hustin ' 5 

1]C. Alton Court, Dylwyu, Herefordshire 5 

'; D. King's Pyon Church, near Hereford U 

JE. Court House, Canon-Pyon, Herefordsliire 7 

ji F. Tablet of Benjamin Tomkins, Sr., in Wellington Church, Herefordshire 9 

IIG. Tablet of Benjamin Tomkins, Jr., King's-Pyon Church, Herefordshire 11 

11 H. W. H, Bustin, Hereford, England 12 

CHAPTER I. 

Fou.NDATiON Hereford Herds 15 

1i 1. Scene in Herefordshire. A fertile soil and well conditioned cattle 16 

2. Typical Hereford Fat Oxen of the old-fashioned sort 17 

3. . The New House, King's-Pyon, Herefordshire 18 

1{ 4. Benjamin Tomkins, .Ir., 1745-1815 20 

5. Black Hall, King's-Pyon, Herefordshire 22 

0. Brook House, King's-Pyon, Herefordshire 23 

8. Wellington (4) 160, calved 1808, bred by B. Tomkins 24 

9. Silver cow, calved 1806, bred by George Tomkins 25 

niO. Mr. T. C. Yeld, of The Broome 27 

111. Thomas Andrew Knight, p:sq., born 1759 28 

|l2. Wigmore Grange, home of William Galliers, 1713-1770 20 

il2rt. William Galliers, Wigmore Grange 30 

1126. Thomas Tomkins Galliers, 1902 31 

13. ^Vigmore Grange, seat of the Galliers family (rear vi-w) 32 

tl3a. William Galliers, Jr., of King's-Pyon, 1744-183J 33 

%\'6b. Some of the silver cups won by the Messrs. Galliers 34 

1 14. Mr. Henry Haywood, 1819-1902, whose family bred Herefords for c nturies 36 

II 15. Hereford ox at seven vears. Champion at t^mithfield, 1799; bred by Air. Tully 37 

1(16. Dowuton Castle in 1775, seat of T. A. Knight 38 

CHAPTER ir. 

FocNDATtON Hereford Herds — Continued. John Price, of Ryall 26 

117. Mr. John Price, 1776-1845 39 

fl8. Rvall Court, Worcestershire, home of John Piice 40 

II 19. Victory (38), bred by J. Price, calved 1839 41 

iM. Young Trueboy (32) 630, bred by John Price, calved 1838 42 

1)21. " Poole House," Uptonupon Severn, home of John Price 43 

1122. Thomas Bates, the celebrated Shorthorn breeder 44 

i|23. " Croome Court," Worcestershire, sea* of the Earl of Coventry 46 

1[24. The Right Honorable Earl of Coventry 47 

1l25. Woodstock (24) 164, calved 1833, bred" by J. Price 48 

1J26. Maximus (1615) 1817, calved 1858, bred by II. H. H. the Prince Consort 49 

CHAPTER III. 

Foundation Heuefqwd Herds— Continued. Hewer Herefords 35 

1127. Characteristic Herefordshire farmyard 50 

583 



il 



584 INDEX 

rat'e. 

^28rt. John L. Hewer, Vern House, Harden, Herefordshire &1 

1128. John Hewer. Born 1787, died 1875. The greatest improver of Hereford cattle 5a 

H iSb. Darling, first bull ever bred by Mr. J. L. Hewer 51 

1(29. Hampton Lodge (near Hereford), occupied by John Hewer, 1835-1840 55 

^■iO. Palmer's Court, liolmer, occupied by John Hewer, 1848-1850 56 

%'dl. Vern House, Herefordshire, property of John Hewer, 1855-1875 57 

1\'Si. Paradise Villa, Harden, near Hereford, where John Hewer died in 1875 58 

1(83. liolmer Churchyard, near Hereford, where John Hewer is buried 59 

Ydi. Lottery (410) 185, calved 1824, bred by J. Hewer 61) 

1j35. Sovereign (404) 221, calved 1820, bred by J. Hewer 62 

1|3>a. Hed Rose 393, bred by Mr. John Hewer 63 

1136. " The Tick face " 64 

1|36a. Lady byrou 218 (calved 1833), bred by John Hewer, sold for £346 10s ($1,730). A '• ticli-face " 65 

CHAPTER IV. 

I OLNDATiON HEREFORD HERDS — Concluded. Early Breeders in England 45 

1137. Cotmore (376) 150, calved 1»36, bred by T. Jeffries 66 

1137(7. Cotmore, Lyonshall, Herefordshire, home of Messrs. Jeffries 67 

1i376. The Sheriffs, Lyonshall, Herefordshire, occupied by the Jeffries family 08 

1[38. Hope (439) 324, calved 1836, bred by T. Jeffries 6'J 

1138a. Lady Grove, calved 1838, and calf, Foig-a-Ballagh, bred by T. Jeffries 70 

1|38ft. Hope (439) 324, calved 1836, bred by T. Jeffries 71 

1 39. J . B. Honkhouse, the blind veteran of The Stowe 72 

1i40. The Court of Noke, Pembridge, Herefordshire, seat of J. Turner 75 

1140<i. The Court of Noke in 1902, occupied by Mr. Edward Farr 76 

1j41. Iviugtonbury, seat of Hr. T. Roberts, who bred Sir Thomas 77 

1112. Edward Farr, present occupant (1902) of the Court of Moke '8 

1143. Hownton Castle 79 

1144. Mr. A. J. R. B. Kuight, of Downton Castle, 1902 HO 

1145. Brockswood (480), calved in 1843, bred by J. Rickets 81 



CHAPTER V. 

A Noted Feeder on Herbfords as Beef Animals 53 

1146. Hereford High Town in 1850, showing the old market house b2 

1 47. Hereford October Fair, 1881 '. 83 

1148. Hereford October Fair, 19U1 84 

1|49. The celebrated feeder of prize steers, Ricliard Shirley, and family, of Baucott 85 

CHAPTER VL 

" YouATT " ON British Cattle 61 

1150. Youatt's typical Hereford cow 86 

1151. Youatt's typical Shorthorn cow 87 

1152. Youatt's idea of a Hereford working o.\ 88 

1153. Youatt's Hereford feeding o.\ , 89 

1154. Youatt's original Durham cow 90 

CHAPTER VIL 

The County of Hereford— Herefordshire 73 

1155. Lord Bateman, 1826-1901, Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, 1852-1901, the celebrated breeder 

of Hereford cattle • 'Jl 

1156. Mr. Wm. Price on his favorite horse at "The Vern," once occupied by John Hewer 93 

1j57. '• Say when." M'r. J. H. Arkwright and son trout fishing at Hampton Court 94 

1158. Shobdon C ourt, seat of Lord Bateman 93 

1159. A scene at "The Whittern," Kington, property of Mr. R. Green 96 

Facsimile of Testimonial to T. L. Miller opp. 96 

1(60. Scene on the river Arrow, Court House, farm of John Price 97 

1[61. Herefordshire peasantry. Cheap labor for the rearing of large crops 98 

CHAPTER VII L 

The Smithfield Club; National Show J4 

1162. Hereford ox, champion at Smithtield, 1816 .-i 99 

163. Champion Hereford ox, Smithfield, 1837, at 4 years and 10 months 100 

64. Champion Hereford ox, Sniiihfield, 1838 101 

1165. Champion Hereford ox, Smithfield, 18 j9 102 

fee. Champion Hereford ox, Smithfield, 1841 104 

1167. Champion Hereford ox, Smithfield, 1846 105 

1168. Champion Hereford ox, Smithfield, 1846 106 



INDEX 585 

Page. 

•■()9. First prize Hereford ox at Smithfield. 1846 108 

1)70. Champion Hereford ox, Smithtield, 1838 109 

•171. Hereford steer, 2 years 11 montlis old, cliampion at Birmingham and Smithfield, 1853 110 

*l'i. Hereford ox, 4 years old, champion at Smitlitield, 1803 Ill 

• 73. Hereford ox at 4 years, champion at Smithtield, 18G8 112 

^74. Hereford ox, 2 years old, champion at Smithtield, 1882 113 

CHAPTER IX. 
CoxT&Mros.iiiY Reports of S.mithfield Ci.ub Matters 92 



CHAPTER X. 

Twenty Years op Heiiefokd Breeding — 1799 to 1819 103 

74</. Herefoid Cathedral 114 

74i. City of Hereford, cathedral and Wye bridge 115 

^lic. Herefordshire farmyard scene 116 



^ 



CHAPTER XI. 

Early Hereford History in America. Hereford Shorthorn Controversy from 1834 to 1841 107 

74rf. "The Woodleys," Wooton, Oxfordshire, Eng., estate of the Sotham family 117 

74c. "The Woodleys," Oxfordshire, birthplace of Wm. H. Sotham (rear view.) 118 



l; 



CHAPTER XII. 

More Early American History 146 

^74f. Hereford cow, " Matchless," alias "Spot" (V. 5, p. 113), 1074 119 

•75. Mr. Rust's grade Hereford ox, weight 3,700 lbs 120 

J76. Woodbine, bred by Wm. II. Sotham 121 

^77. William Miller (Uncle Willie), Storm Lake, Iowa ]-22 

578. Cardinal Wiseman, 1202 123 

1179. Sweetheart 2nd, 602, and Vesta 4th, 1232A, at 18 months (1867) 125 

180. Hebe 469. Bonny Lass (i7S), bred by Lord Bateman, and Graceful 545, bred by Lord Berwick.. 125 

181. Emperor at 2 vears ( 1867) ." 126 

188. Thos. Duckham, M. P., 1816-1902, Baysham Court, Ross, Herefordshire 127 

1182. Walford (871) 47, calved about 1844 128 

' lf84. Frederick William Stone, Guelph, Ont., Canada 129 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Mr. Wm. H. Sotham's History op the Herefoeds 179 

•■85. Eras us Corning, Albany, N. Y 130 

T86. "The Woodleys " (Sotham estate), Wooton, Oxfordshire, Eng. (view from the fields) 131 

187. Tomb of the parents of Win. H. Sotham, in Wooton churchyard, Oxfordshire 132 

•is-*. Wooton Church, Oxfordshire, England 133 

189 A tablet in Wooton Church 134 

'UO. Sir Charles (3434) 543, bred by F. W. Stone 135 

•"91. John R. Page's conception of Sir Charles (3434) 543 186 

•92. The Bales Shorthorn ideal, Imported Duke of Airdrie (12730) 137 

193. A typical Hereford of 1840, Cotraore, weight 3,920 lbs , at 9 years old 138 

194. Thomas Booth, the great English Shorthorn breeder ." 139 

195. Marchioness, bred by E. Corning, .Ir., Albany, N. Y 140 

196. Tromp, bred bv W. H. Sotham 141 

197. William H. Sotham, in his 80th year (1801-1884) 142 

■198. Luther Tucker, Sr , America's first great agricultural editor 143 

1199. Cassius M. Clay, White Hall, Lexington, Ky 144 

1100. R. A. Alexander, Lexington, Ky 145 

1101. "White Hall," near Lexington, Ky 147 

1!I02. Medal of the N. Y. 8. A. S., awarded to Wm. H. Sotham, 1856 148 

i 103. John Merrvman, of "The Havfields," Cockeysville, Md 149 

1104. Herefords," property of T. F. B. Sotham 1,50 

1105. Medal of the N. Y. A. 8., awarded to Wm. H. Sotham, 1859 151 

' 106. City of Hereford and the river Wye 1.52 

1II07. Leonora, " the incomparable," bred by Mrs. 8. Edwards, Wintercott, Leominster, Hereford.. . 153 

1108. Winter de Cote (4253) 3204, champion of England 1871 to 1875 154 

1109. Grateful (4622) 2572, champion of England 1876 to 1880 155 

JilO. North Herefordshire hounds 156 

Till. Yoke of half-bred Hereford steers, 2 years old, out of Devon dams 157 

«■ 1 12. Young Herefords, bred by T. F. B. Sotham, Chillicothe, Mo 158 



586 INDEX 

CHAPTER XIV. Pag^ 

Early Cattle in Kentucky — The " Seventeens " 220 

1J113. Longhorn Bull, reproduced from Youatt's book on cattle 159 

1114. "Seventeen Steer," sold at Cincinnati, 1841 160 

ill5. Ox weighing 3,500 lbs., raised in Sangamon county, 111., 1834; bred from " Seventeen blood ". 161 

1116. " Seventeen Steer," John Sherman 162 

CHAPTER XV. 

Revival of Hereford Interest in America 229 

1117. Wm. Powell, Channing, Tex., formerly of Beecher, 111 16;i 

1118. " Queen of Athens" and calf, "My Maryland " 164 

1119. " Dolly Varden " (V. 9, p. 279) 5 16.5 

1120. Herefords on the plains of Colorado 166 

121. Hon. .J. W. Prowers, West Las Animas, Colo 167 

1122. Herefords bred by the Reynolds Land and Cattle Co., Channing, Tex 168 

1 123. Medal of the Centennial at Philadelphia, 1876, awarded to T. L. Miller 169 

CHAPTER XVI. 

An Incident op an Early Chicago Fat Stock Show 232 

1124. Hereford and Shorthorn. (The thickness of Hereford and Shorthorn roasts compared i 170 

1125. .John D Gillette, Elkhart, 111 171 

1126. Four-year-old and three-year-old. (Ages of cattle compared by teeth) 172 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Opposition Encountered by Hereford Exhibitokf, 1877-8-9 235 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Impartial Judges Needed 240 

1127. "Seventeen" Shorthorn Steer, McMullin 173 

CHAPTER XIX. 

American Hereford Record 243 

1128. Mr. J. H. Arkwright, Hampton Court, Herefordshire, Eng 174 

1 129. The Right Hon. Earl of Coventry, Croome Court, Worcestershire 175 

jlSO. Mr. S. W. Urwick, Hereford, Eng 176 

1131. Mr. J. H. Arkwright, on his favorite hunter, " Bagpipes " 177 

CHAPTER XX. 

American Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association 245 

1132. C. M. Culbertson, Newman, 111 178 

1133. T. E. Miller, Beecher, 111 180 

1134. Adams Earl, " Shadeland," Lafayette, Ind 181 

. J. M. Studebaker, South Bend, Ind 182 

. Geo. F. Morgan, Liuwood, Kan 183 

. Thos. Clark, Beecher, 111 184 

. Ben Hershey, Muscatine, la 185 

. W. H. Todd, Vermillion, 186 

I. G. S. Burleigh, Vassalboro, Me 187 

. W. 8. Van Natta, '• Hickory Grove," Fowler, Ind 188 

;. W. E. Britten, Hereford, Eng 189 

>. J. II. Burleigh, Mechanicsville, la 190 

:. Walter M. Morgan, Irving, Kan 191 

I. William A. Morgan, Irving, Kan 192 

1. Chas. B. Stuart, Lafayette, Ind 193 

. Edwin Phelps, Pontiac, Mich 194 

1. H. C. Burleigh, Vassalboro, Me 195 

'. Tom C. Pouting, Moweaqua, 111 196 

I. A. A. Crane, Houston Tex 197 

. F. P. Crane, Chicago, 111 198 

:. Dr. Orlando Bush, Sheldon, 111 190 

i. Thos. Poster. Flint, Mich 200 

i. Wallace Libbey, Ottawa, 111 201 

I. A. H. Bullis, Winnebago City, Minn 202 

1. John Gosling, Kansas City, Mo 203 



INDEX 087 

CHAPTER XXI. P^gp 

Cattlk Frauds— Comparative Treatment in England and America 252 

^167. Grade Hereford steer Conqueror at 27 months 204 

^168. An American show-ring. Under the Minnesota State Fair tent 20.5 

ilf>9. At a country fair in Missouri 206 

tl60. Practicing for the show 207 

1161. A " line-up " at Weavergrace, farm of T. F. B. Sotham 208 

162. The cattle ring at the Detroit International Fair and Exposition. T. F. B. Sotham, secretary 209 

CHAPTER XXII. 

The " Breeders' Jouknal " 256 

JIM. A Missouri cow and her triplets 211 

116.5. Grade steer calves in an Iowa feed lot 212 

166. Te.xas 2-year-old steers in an Ohio pasture 213 

^[167. A bunch of Missouri yearling heifers 214 

1il6b. Nebraska calves in the Kansas Ciiy stock yards 215 

TJ169. Range calves bought by T. F. B. Sotham for Eastern feeders 216 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

The Shorthorn Men Endeavor to Get Down East 2.58 

• 163. Stock barn at T. L. Miller's " Highland Farm," Beecher, 111 210 

T 170. A row of stock bulls at Shadeland farm, Lafayette, Ind 217 

^171. Some Shadeland matrons 218 

If 172. Out for an airing 219 

f 173. Some Shadeland yearlings 221 

1[174. Young bulls at Shadeland stock farm 222 

1175. Imported bull Diplomat (18328) 81537 223 

11176. The foundation of an Ohio herd 224 

Hereford group, bred by T. L. Miller Co., Beecher, 111 opp. 224 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

The " Breeders' Journal " on the Chicago Fat Stock Show of 1880 265 

^189. The Exposition building, Chicago 225 

*; 190. .John P. Reynolds, Chicago 226 

•"191. U. D. Emery, Chicago 227 

CHAPTER XXV. 

A Conspiracy that Failed 271 

•;195. William Watson (Uncle Williei 228 

1(196. A cartoon of 1883, " Breeders' .lournal " 230 

il97. Shorthorn cow Conqueror. A " Breeders' Journal " cartoon of 1882 231 

1|198. Hereford vs. Shorthorn, or how the Shorthorners came to grief. A " Breeders' Journal " car- 
toon of 1885 234 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

Ten Eventful Years: a Constant Request for Tests — 1871 to 1881 282 

H 199. A typical bull's head. Corrector 48976 237 

1200. Thos. Aston, Elyria, 238 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

Quality in Beef; Sound Constitution Indispensable to It 293 . 

1201. Pure Hereford cow Jenny 239 

1201(7. Heart girtli of Herefords and Shorthorns compared 241 

1201(1. Diagram of butchers' cuts 242 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Teeth as Indicative of the Age of Cattle. Some Fat Stock Show Comparisons 299 

1202. A " Breeders' Journal " cartoon of 1883 244 

1203. A » Breeders' Journal " cartoon of 1883 246 

1204. Fig. 1. Calf s teeth at birth 300 

1205. Fig. 2. Calf's teeth at second week 300 

1206. Fig. 3. Calf's teeth at third week 301 

1207. Fig. 4. Calf's teeth at 1 month 301 

1208. Fig. 5. Calf's teeth at 8 months 302 

1209. Fig. 6. Cairs teeth at 11 months 303 



588 INDEX 

Page. 

TJ210. Fig. 7. Yearling's teeth at 12 months 303 

'i,2i\. Fig. 8. Yearling's teeth at 15 months 304 

Ijaia. Fig. 9. Yearling's teeth at 18 months 305 

^213. Pig. 10. Yearling's teeth at 22 months 305 

^214. Fig. 1 1. Teeth at 24 months : . . 306 

1J215. Fig. 12. Teeth at 2 years and 6 months 307 

11216. Fig. 13. Teeth at 3 years 307 

J217. Fig. 14. Teeth at 4 years 308 

i|2l8. Fig. 15. Teeth at 5 years 308 

11219. Fig. 16. Teeth of Shorthorn " Canadian Champion " 309 

1J220. Fig. 17. Mouth of " Canadian Champi ^n " 809 

^2>1. Fig. 18. Teethof "Kingof the West" 310 

^222. Fig. 19. Outside view of the mouth of " King of the West '' 311 

i:223. Fig. 20. Teeth of Shorthorn " Young Aberdeen " 311 

11224. Fig. 21. Outside view of mouth of "Young Aberdeen" 313 

1225. Fig. 22. Teeth of Shorthorn steer " Grinnell " 312 

1226. Fig. 83. Outside view of mouth of "Grinnell" 3 3 

1227. Fig. 24. Teeth of Shorthorn '-Tom Brown" 313 

1228. Fig. 25. Outside view of mouth of " Tom Brown " 314 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

Hbrkford Items in the Early Eighties 315 

T205a. Typical female head, Grace 58553 247 

1206<j. F. D. Coburn, Topeka, Kan 248 

1207((. .Judge T. C. Jones, Delaware, Ont 249 

^208r/. Wm. Warfield, Lexington, Ky 250 

1209<(. Thomas Smith, Crete, 111 251 

1210«. J. B. Green, Marlow, Herefordshire 253 

1211(f. G. H. Green, of the firm of J. B. & G. H. Green, Marlow, Herefordshire 254 

i2l2ri. .John Price, of Court House, Herefordshire 255 

1213<j. T. Lewis, of "The Woodhouse," Herefordshire 257 

12136. J. Williams, Llansannor Court, Glamorganshire, Wales 259 

i314<i. Philip Turner, of " The Leen," Herefordshire 260 

1215/7. .John Morris, of Lulham, Herefordshire 261 

1216<(. William Tudge, Adforton, Herefordshire 262 

1217i(. T. J. Carwanline, late of Stocktonbury, Herefordshire 263 

1218//. Lord Wilton (4740) 4057, bred by William Tudge 264 

1219r(. " The liodd," Presteigne, Radnorshire 266 

12196. Aaron Rogers, " The Rodd," Radnorshire 207 

1220(7. Anxiety (5188) 2338, bred by T. .J. Carwardine 268 

1221/1. A. P. Turner, of " The Leen," Herefordshire 270 

1222a. B. Rogers, " The Grove," Herefordshire 272 

CHAPTER XXX. 

HsREFOEn Items ix the Early Eighties— Concluded 324 

* 2S.iii. Mrs. Sarah Edwards, of Wintcrcott, Herefordshire 273 

•^ ;24/i. T. Edwards, Wintercott, Herefordshire 274 

1325/(. De Cote (3060) 2243, bred by T. Edwards 275' 

1226(7. Helianthus (4811) 1549, bred by the Earl of Southesk, Scotland. . .'. 276 

1227a. Geo. Leigh, Aurora, 111 . ; 277 

1228(7. C. W. Cook, Odebolt, Iowa 278 

1229. Cane is presented to the maker of protested entries 280 

1 229a. C. S. Cook, of the firm of C. W. Cook & Sons, Odebolt, Iowa 283 

1230. A. E. Cook, of the firm of C. W. Cook & Sons, Odebolt, Iowa 285' 

1231. John Price (Court House, Pembridge, Eng.) The Llkington cup and other valuable prizes 

won by this veteran breeder '. . 287 

1232. Steven Robinson, Lynhales, Her/^fordshire 1 90 

1233. Sir James Rankin, M. P., Bryngwin, Herefordshire 294 

1234. Loving cup, presented to Geo. F. Morgan 296 

1235. Good Boy (7668) 76240, bred by the Earl of Coventry 298 

1236. Rare Sovereign (10499) 81118, bred by Earl of Coventry 316 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

Roots as Cattle Food 3M 

1237. Missouri farm scene. "Noontime" 317 

1238. Stock biills on a Kansas farm. Property of the late C. S. Cross, Emporia, Kan 318 

1239. Barns and farming lands. Weavergrace farm of T. F. B. Sotham, Chillicothe, Mo 319 



INDEX 589 

CHAPTEK XXXII. p^g„ 

Challenge to Test all Beep Breeds on a Broad Scale 3;^5 

1240. John V. Farwell. Chicago 3-20 

T|241. Scene on tlie Farwell ranch, Texas. Cows of the T. L. Miller herd in early spring:, aller 

a hard winter 321 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

Champions Contrasted— American vs. English; Ancient vs. Modern 340 

11242. Champion o.x at Smithfield, 1884, bred by Chas Doe, Shropshire 322 

Ti243. Champion steer. Roan Boy, bred by C. M. Culbertson 323 

1244. Benton's Champion, bred by Fowler A: Van Natta 325 

11245. Grade Hereford calves, half, three-quarters, seven-eighths and fifteen-sixteenths blood, on 

straight Te.xas foundation 326 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

llEKEf'ORD Movements Begin to Command the Opposition's Respect 347 

1|246. Hereford and Shorthorn. Competing steers and comparative types. Smithfield winners, 18';9 327 
1)247. John Scharbauer, Midland, Texas, and his favorite bull, valued at $5,0U0, Sir James 65916, by 

Corrector 328 

11248. Herefords in A rizona 329 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

Heuepord Cattle in England in 1884, as Reported by Oi;r Consuls 858 

^249. Ex-Governor S. B. Packard, Maishalltown, Iowa 3.;0 

1250. Romeo (6646) 6420, at 18 months, bred by T. J. Carwardine 331 

1251. Mr. John Prict-'s Elkingtou Chal enge cup winner, at 3 years 332 

T252. Golden Treasure (V. 15, p. 126), bred by Earl of Coventry 333 

1253. Company gathered at Chadnor Court sale, 1883 336 

1*254. Scene at Chadnor Court sale, Dilwyn, Herefordshire, 1883 337 

1125.5. Company attending " The Leen " sale, 1883 338 

1256. The Grove 3d (.5051) 2490, bred by H. Rogers 339 

1'256ff. Sale ring at Stocktonbur)', Leominster, Herefordshire, Eng., 1884 341 

•12566. An English sale ring, August 28, 1884. "Lord Wilton" (4740) 4057, at 9 years old, selling 

for 3,800 iiuineas ($20,1100) 342 

11256c. Company attending Stocktonbury sale, August, 1894. Lord Wilton (4740) 4067 and two of 

his sons 3J3 

t256j?. Downton Castle, Herefordshire 341 

I2.56e. Hampton Court, Leominster, Herefordshire, the seat of J. H Arkwright 845 

11256/'. Court House, Pembridge, Herefordshire, residence of J. Price. Mr. Harry Yeki and Air. 

John Price iu the foreground 348 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

Herefords as Dairy Cattle 377 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

Herefords in Australia, Xew Zealand, South America, West Indies and Jamaica 383 

1,257. Lord Wilton (4741)) 4057 and two of his daughters 349 

1258. Samuel t^oode, of I vingtunburv, Herefordshire, for many years in Australia 350 

lt259. Dale Tredegar (.5856) 146,S-?, at'lO months, bred by H. J. Bailey, 351 

•"260. Roval Head (4490) 16765. at 2 years 8 months, bred by J. Williams, Herefordshire 352 

•■355. Success (.5031 ) 2, imported in 1873 by T. L. Miller opp. 352 

CHAPTEPt XXXVII r. 

Herefords on the Block 414 

11201. Jno. G. Imboden, Decatur, 111., celebrated expert judge 353 

1262. Philip D. Armour, Chicago 354 

1263. Jas. A. Funkhuuser, Plattsburg, Mo 355 

1|264. Pure-bred steer Fred (by Fortune 2080), bred by J. S. Hawes, Ccjlonv, Kan 356 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

F.AIR AND F.1T Stock Show Reports 419 

11265. Princess B. 1777, bred by G. S. Burleigh, Vassalboro, Me '6'u 

History of the Herefords 359 

1'266. Kirkland B. Armour, Kansas City, Mo., pre^ident American Hereford Cattle Breeders' Asso- 
ciation, 1897-1898 3" 9 

1267. Hero (5964) 4352, bred by J. Price, Pembridge , Eng 36 J 



690 INDEX 

Page. 

U268. Anxiety 3d (alias Sir Garnet) (6181) 4466, bred by T. J. Carwardine 361 

11269. Royal 16th (6656) 6459, bred by J. B. & G. H. Green 3U2 

Herefordshire and Hereford Cattle 362 

1270. Prince Edward (6616) 7001, bred by T. J. Carwardine 363 

^271. Downton Rose (V. 10, p. 172) 4486, bred by T. Fenn, Downton Castle, Eug 364 

if272. Peeress (V. 12, p. 152) 109u2. bred by T. J. Carwardine 365 

ii273. "Venus (V. 12, p. 152) 10133, bred by T. J. Carwardine 366 

11274. Victoria 1053, at 9 years, bred byT. L.Miller 367 

Tii75. Sir Garnet (61Su) 2489, bred by B. Rogers 368 

11276. Tregrehan (6232) 6203, bred by Maj Carlyon 3')9 

11^77. Cherry 24th 2410, bred by J. B. & G. H. Green, Herefordshire 370 

11278. Edward Price, father of John Price, Court House, Pembridge 371 

11279. Anxiety (5188) 2238, bred by T. J. Carwardine, Herefordshire 372 

11280. Earl of Shadelaud 22d 27147, bred by Adams Earl 373 

1(281. Rudolph (6660) 13478, bred by P. Turner, Herefordshire 374 

11282. Princess (V. 13, p. 152), bred by T. Marston, Herefordshire 375 

1;283. The Equinox 2758, bred by J. Merrvman, Maryland 376 

1[284. Queen of the Lillies, bred by T. E. Miller, Beecher, HI 378 

11285. Silvia (V. 17, p. 288)8649, bred by P.Turner, Herefordshire ; 379 

11286. Horace (3877) 2492, at 15 years, bred by J. Davies 380 

5287. Dictator 1989, bred by T. L. Miller, Beecher, 111 381 

l!288. Wabash, pure-bred steer, champion 2-year-old at Chicago, 1882, weight 1940 lbs 383 

1289. Archibald (6290) 11129, bred by A. Rogers, Herefordshire, weight 3,000 lbs 384 

Hereford Cattle in Australia 385 

•1290. Fisherman (5913) 7623W, bred by T. Rogers, Herefordshire 385 

1j291. Tarquin (12717), bred by P. Turner, Herefordshire 386 

1;292. Elton 1st (9875) 11245, bred by Earl & Stuart 388 

1293. A. C. Reed, Evanston, HI 389 

1294. E. E. Esson, Peotone, 111 390 

1295. J. H. McEldowuey, Chicago Heights, HI 391 

1296. J. Gordon Gibb, Lawrence, Kan 392 

1|297. Beau Real 11055, bred by Gudgell & Simpson, Independence, Mo 393 

11297a. E. 8. Shockev, Kansas City, Mo 492 

1|298. Anxiety 4th 9904 (6283), bred by T. J. Carwardine; sire of Beau Real 394 

1)299. Prize Winning Herd of 1885. Property of the Iowa Hereford Cattle Co. Modesty 2d, 24284. 

Melody 16th, 18549. Stately 2d, 18522. Forelock 179'.i9. Washington (8152) 22615 395 

11300. Hesiod(6481) 1 1675, bred by P. Turner, Herefordshire; founder of the Hesiod line 396 

1301. R. G. Hart, La Peer, Mich 397 

11302. Clem Studebaker, South Bend, Ind. Firm of F. H. Johnson <fc Co 398 

11303. J. 8. Hawes, Reading, Mass 399 

1304. Sir Evelyn (7263) 9650, bred by T. J. Carwardine 400 

1305. Lovely 2d (V. 15, p. 299), 21977, bred by R. W. Hall, Herefordshire 401 

1 306. Cassio (6849) 13352, bred by P. Turner, Herefordshire 402 

1307. H. R. Hall, Orletoa, Herefordshire 403 

1308. H. W. Taylor, Showle Court, Herefordshire 404 

1309. T. S Minton, Shropshire, Eng 405 

1310. A. E. Hughes, Wintercott, Herefordshire 406 

1311. "The Leen," Pembridge, Herefordshire, home of the Turners 407 

1312. "Lvnhales," Herefordshire, home of S. Robinson 408 

1313. Maidstone (8^75) 79190, bred by H. W. Taylor 409 

1314. Hotspur (7726) 21721, bred by T. J. Carwardine, Herefordshire 410 

1315. Imported Lord Wilton 5739, at 3 years, bred by C. M. Culbertson 411 

1316. Representative Sussex Cow 412 

1317. Representative Devon Cow 413 

1318. Typical Shorthorn Bull 415 

1319. Shorthorn Steer, Schooler, winner in class at Chicago and Kansas City, 1883-4-5 416 

1320. Shorthorn Steer. Cleveland, at 497 days, weight 1,290 lbs 417 

1321. Grace, pure-bred Cow, weight 1,875 lbs 418 

1322. L M. Forbes, Henry, 111 4i0 

1323. 0. Forbes, Henry, HI 421 

1324. Koyiil Grove (9137) 21500, bred by P. Turner, Herefordshire 422 

1325. "Sir Bartle Frere" (6682) 6419, and five of his sons 423 

1826. Grade steer "Regulus," at 3 years, weight 2,346 lbs 42 1 

Tabular Statement— Number of prizes and amount of money won by each breed, etc 425 

1327. J. J. Hill, St. Paul, Minn., celebrated railway magnate and lover of fine stock 426 

1328. Grade Hereford steer "Dvsart,'' at 3 years, weight 1,890 lbs 427 

11329. Hotspur (7028) 9355, br, d by J. Price, Herefordshire 4-.'8 

1330. A typical Jersey . 429 

1331 A West Highland bull ." '.' . 430 

1332. Group of Red Poll cattle 431 

1 ^32«. An Aberdeen Angus celebrity. Black Prince, bred in Scotland 432 

1333. "Violet, Viola 4020, Peeress, Lassie 23204, Fowler 12899, Miss Fowler, bred and owned by 

Fowler & Van Natta, Fowler, Ind 433 



I K D E X 5'.U 

Page. 
•^334. Sir ISartle Frero (6U82) G410, Earl of Sluideland 12th, Elton 1st (9875) 1124r), Garfiold (6975) 

7013, The Grove 3(1 (5051) 2490, Shadoland stock bulls 434 

*335. Washington (8152) 22(iI5, bred by A. E. Hughes, llerelordshire 435 

* 336. Purebred steer, Hiidolph, Jr., bred, fed and e.\hibited by Geo. F. Morgan 436 

* 337. Samuel Weaver, Decatur, 111 , America's greatest cattle feeder 437 

* 338. View on Samuel Weaver's Farm, Decatur, 111 438 

^ 339. Hurleigh's Pride, cross-bred from An^us sire and Hereford dam bv II. C. Burleigh, Vassal- 

boro. Me " 439 

1'340. Plush, grand sweepstakes carcass, Chicago Fat fctock Show, 1886, fed by .lohn Gosling 440 

1342. llenrv F. Russell, Westonbt.ry, Herefordshire 441 

1 342ri. VVestonbury, Pembridge, home of Mr. H. F. Russell 442 

n 343. Pure bred steer, bred by F. Piatt, IJarnby Manor, Newark-on-Trent 443 

i'344. F. Piatt, Barnby Manor, Nottinghamshire : 444 

1 346. Hecs-Keene, Pencraig, Careleou, Monmouthshire 445 

Dressed Carcasses at Americau Fat Stock Show, 1885 446 

^340. Kathleen, bred by A. P. Turner 447 

TheSlaughterTest at Kansas City Fat Stock Show, 1885 417 

^'347. V. N. Cosgrove, Le Sueur, Minn 448 

T348. Geo W. Henry, Goodenow, 111 449 

*i 349. Fortune (5922) 2080, bred by .J. S. Ilawes, Colony, Kan 450 

* 350. Stretton Court, Herefordshire, home of the Yeomans family 451 

* 351. Mr. Geo. W. Henry's great stock bull. Prince Edward, and four of his get 452 

^352. William A. Tade, Bonaparte, Iowa 453 

|353. F. A. Nave, Attica, Ind 4E4 

Weights of different parts of dressed carcasses at Chicago Fat Stock Show, 1886 456 

'354. Clem Graves, Bunker Hill, Ind 457 

*'355. Success (5031) 2, bred by J . Morris, Herefordshire 458 

T356. Prairie Flower 1159, bred by T. L. Miller 459 

* 357. Red Cap 4th 3507, a favorite cow of T. L. Miller 460 

T. L. Miller's Hereford Winnings 460 

CHAPTER XL. 

Letters from CoRREspoNnEXTs During the " Battle ov the Breeds." 465 

1358. James C. Willsou, Flint, Mich 461 

"359. Nannette (V. 11, p. 2t6) 4511, bred by T. Middleton 462 

',360. D. P. Williams, Guthrie Center, Iowa 464 

Mr. Miller's posi ion 465 

•^361. W. S. Ikard, Henrietta, Tex 466 

CHAPTER XLI. 
1 HE Herkfurd versus Shorthorn — Mr. Miller Re-States His Position 493 

CHAPTER XLII. 

Mongrel Pedigrees Make Mongrel Breeds; Conclusively Demonstrated on the Range 514 

* 362. Geo. AV. Rust, eminent Shorthorn authority 467 

T363. Hereford bulls on the Texas range, property of Mrs. C. Adair 468 

* 364. Shorthorn bulls on the Texas range, property of the Farwell syndicate. 469 

* 365. Herefords on the range in Texas 470 

* 3t)6 Majaris Canyon, near the Canadian River, Panhandle of Texas 471 

1 367. Grade yearling heifers in the Adair herd, J. A. Brand, Panhandle of Texas 472 

* 368. A model surface tank in a Texas pasture 473 

T369. W. E. Campbell, of Winchester, Okla 474 

* 370. Sample of a model range herd 475 

1371. Sample of so-called Herefords too often found on the range and elsewhere 476 

1!372. A model ranch headquarters. Spring Lake ranch of W. E. Halsell, Bovina, Tex 477 

1;373. A "round-up" on the range 473 

1'374. Familiar scene on the range 479 

1375. "Drifting," a scene on the range of Col. C. C. Slaughter, North Texas and New Mexico line.. 480 

1^341. Corrector 48976, greatest of modern Hereford sires. Bred and owned by T. F. B. Sotham, 

Chillicothe, Mo opp. 480 

•"376. A sample of Col. C. Slaughter's (Dallas, Tex.) Lazy " 8 " brand. North Texas 481 

CHAPTER XLIII. 

Conclusion — The Present and Future. Open Battle of Breeds Beneficial to All. Beware of Sitbtle 

Manipulation 532 

'377. T. F B. Sotham, Chillicothe, Mo 515 

•378. C. B. bmith, Hereford Park, Fayette, Mo 517 



INDEX 



APPENDIX. 



Page. 



The Late Mr. Miller, of Illinois, U. 8. A. How He Benefited IIekefoiid Breeders 541 

f379. Murray Boocock, " Castalia," Keswick, Va 61tf 

i;384. Typical mature bull, ' Spring Jack" (14191) 108609 540 



11885. 
11380. 
11386. 
5381. 
11387. 
11382. 
11388. 
11383. 
1(889. 



A model bull, Red Cross (18040) 80076 542 

A farm sale, movable amphitheater, Weavergrace farm of T. F. B. Sotham 543 

An ideal 2-year-old, Priuce Bulbo (17414) 544 

At T. F. B. Sotham's sale, 1896, Weavergrace Farm 645 

A splendid sort, Protector (19550) 546 

Tlie veteran feeder, .John Letham, Goodenow, 111., and his two champions 547 

A proper a-year-old, Majestic (20831) 548 

Albion (1.5027) 76960, the great English sire and prize winner 549 

A good yearling 550 

Facsimile of letter from T. L. Miller to T. F. B. Sotham 552 

1f890. A big one with smoothness and quality, Happy Hampton (16097) 90058 556 

Copy of foregoing fac simile letter 557 

The illustrations of the appendix 557 

1f391. Uniformity of desirable type and character marks the work of a great breeder 558 

Change in administration of the American Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association 559 

1|392. A grand old breeding matron, worth her weight in gold, Pearl 5th (V. 15, p. 8) 80073 560 

11393. A prime af^'ed cow. Ranee (V. 25, p. 242) 661 

1894. In her prime. Truthful (V. 28, p. 152), at eight years 662 

1|395. A splendid 2 year-old form. Gwendoline (V. 24, p. 77) 568 

1396. A model yearling. Sister Perilla (V. 25, p. 230) 564 

l|397. A trainload of grade Hereford Steer Calves, selected by T. F. B. Sotham, on Texas ranch 

awaiting shipment to feeders in the Middle and Eastern states ■ 565 

p98. Carload of Texas bred grade Hereford steers, selected by T. F. B. Sotham, fed by D. W. 

Black, of Lyndon, Ohio ■• 566 

11899. Grade Hereford beef— carcasses of the grand champion carload 567 

11400. Butcher's diagram. A side of good grade Hereford beef, showing method of cutting up high- 
class carcasses 568 

Butcher's terms — "the round;" from a good grade Hereford steer 5 9 

Butcher's terms— "the round;" from a steer classed as common butcher's stock 5ii9 

Butcher's terms— "the rump;" from a good grade Hereford steer 570 

Butcher's terms— "the rump;" from a steer classed as common butcher's stock 070 

Butcher's terms — "the whole loin;" showing sirloin or broad loin end, from agood grade Here- 
ford steer 571 

11406. Butcher's terms— "the loin;" from a good grade Hereford steer ._ 5j J 

11407. Butcher's terms— "the loin;" from a steer classed as common butcher's stock 672 

1408. Butcher's terms— "the porterhouse;" from a good grade Hereford steer 573 

11409. Butcher's terms— "the porterhouse;" from a steer classed as common butcher's stock 573 

11410. Butcher's terms— "the porterhouse end;"' from a good grade Hereford steer 574 

1^411. Butcher's terms— '=the porterhouse end;" from a steer classed as common butcher's stock. . . 574 

11412. Butcher's terms— "the ribs;" from a good grade Hereford steer ._ 575 

11413. Butcher's terms— "the ribs;" from a steer classed as common butcher's stock 675 

11414. Butcher's terms— "the chuck, or shoulder roast;" from a good grade Hereford steer _. 576 

1[415. Butcher's terms— "the chuck, or shoulder roast;" from a steer classed as common bi. teller's 

stock 576 

Butcher's terms- "the brisket;" from a good grade Hereford steer 577 

Butcher's terms— "the brisket;" from a steer classed as common butcher's stock 577 

Butcher's terms— "the shank;" from a good grade Hereford steer 5i8 

Butcher's terms— "the shank;" from a steer classed as common butcher's stock 673 

Butcher's terms— "the kidney fat;" from a good grade Hereford steer 679 

Butcher's terms — "the shoulder clod;" from a good grade Hereford steer 579 

Choice Hereford roast, a model of that class 580 

Roast of common beef, such as is found in the ordinary markets of the country 580 



1416. 

1417. 
1418. 
1(419. 
1420. 
1421. 
1423. 
1423. 
1424c 



14'M". ( A model carcass of prime beef from a good grade Hereford steer 581 

1!424?y. ) 



